Yet another PH chaser

[neyes_ice]

tank specs:
40 breeder
sump fiji cube 12 gallon sump
lightly stocked mixed reef
ALK stable as can be running a trident
PH is 7.55-7.70 if i open the windows
7.6-7.9 if I can.

PH monitored with APEX EL (new only a month old)
and a GHL profilux mini WIFI

tank location less than 600 square foot apartment, 2 adults 1 child.
c02 windows open = lowest at around 400 ppm
c02 windows closed = 800-1200 ppm

tried kalk
1/4 teaspoon per gallon, dosed 50ml every 30 mins. no changes in PH

tried co2 scrubber ( recirculating and non-recirculating)
no PH changes at this time, maybe media is expired

tried skimmer air to outside line
no PH changes, will try a bigger diameter hose( from 1/4" to 1/2") hose length 15'

does skimmer style matter? I have a aquamaxx WS-1
will change to a aquamaxx fc-80 if need be, but they have the same pump.

added a refugium outside the sump, I don't have any chaeto yet.
looking to try sodium hydroxide, do you dose that like KALK?
tank only consumes .10-.20 DKH daily so far. around 2-3 ml of B-ionic daily.

hopefully I don't need to go crazy and get an Air Exchanger, there's a $400 panasonic one, but its ceiling mounted.

 

[JPergamo]

My first 2 questions would be
1. How is the PH being monitored? If a probe is it calibrated well?
And
2. How is everything in the tank doing as it stands now? Is there a particular reason or issue?

 

[uninformed]

My first 2 questions would be
1. How is the PH being monitored? If a probe is it calibrated well?
And
2. How is everything in the tank doing as it stands now? Is there a particular reason or issue?

I second this. First things first: make sure your pH probe is properly calibrated. I like to maintain a handheld as a second checkpoint against my Apex.

 

[neyes_ice]

My first 2 questions would be
1. How is the PH being monitored? If a probe is it calibrated well?
And
2. How is everything in the tank doing as it stands now? Is there a particular reason or issue?

monitored by APEX EL and GHL profilux wifi mini (just kept the GHL there so the probe wont dry out.)
corals not happy as they can be. did an ICP a month ago, aluminum is 100. hopefully lowered that with water changes.

 

[jsanchez]

My windows are all closed up. With out my scrubber and fuge my pH sits at 7.7.

I run a recirculating co2 scrubber and my chaeto light is on 100% brightness 24/7 this is my pH.

 

[neyes_ice]

My windows are all closed up. With out my scrubber and fuge my pH sits at 7.7.

I run a recirculating co2 scrubber and my chaeto light is on 100% brightness 24/7 this is my pH.

chaeto lives in 24/7 light schedule?

 

[mdb_talon]

400ppm air co2 with windows open that ph does not seem reasonable to me if you have adequate gas exchange in tank. That is basically the level of outside air.

My bet is bad probe or needs calibrated.

 

[jsanchez]

chaeto lives in 24/7 light schedule?

I've done it that way for over 2 years. Only time I lost chaeto is when I overdosed vibrant to kill dinos

 

[neyes_ice]

400ppm air co2 with windows open that ph does not seem reasonable to me if you have adequate gas exchange in tank. That is basically the level of outside air.

My bet is bad probe or needs calibrated.

along with the APEX EL ph probe is new checked and calibrated. I have another GHL mini controller measuring PH around the same.

 

[mdb_talon]

along with the APEX EL ph probe is new checked and calibrated. I have another GHL mini controller measuring PH around the same.

It just does not make sense to me then unless alk is very low. At least as i understand it ph is based off alkalinity and co2 and nothing else. If you have adequate gas exchange and alk in good range it seems with windows open for an extended period you should easily break 8. Also since the outside skimmer line and co2 scrubber did not help at all that also makes it seem to be unrelated to co2 levels unless you just dont have adequate air exchange or low alk.

 

[neyes_ice]

It just does not make sense to me then unless alk is very low. At least as i understand it ph is based off alkalinity and co2 and nothing else. If you have adequate gas exchange and alk in good range it seems with windows open for an extended period you should easily break 8. Also since the outside skimmer line and co2 scrubber did not help at all that also makes it seem to be unrelated to co2 levels unless you just dont have adequate air exchange or low alk.

i keep alk at 8

 

[arking_mark]

There is no way that adding Kalk and/or a CO2 scrubber didn't impact your pH.

 

[arking_mark]

Do a cup aeration test to help identify the issue...which may be your probes.