pH concerns

I believe I only have one option here (well 2, but option 2 is more expensive), and I am testing those waters out today. I ran my skimmer intake line outside in the hopes that more fresh air will keep my pH up at night.

Since summer (we don't have spring in North Florida) rolled around (and those dreaded 90s moved in), our apartment has remained closed up. During the winter, the door to the apartment was open for large stretches of the weekend and evening, allowing the exchange of CO2 laden air for O2 laden air from outside. As such, my pH seldom dropped below 8.0. However, now my pH has been dropping as low as 7.67 at night, which is dangerously low. Due to the low end dropping so low, the high end only reaches 8.10 now. I need to get the low end pH up obviously, which will fix my high end (which isn't low by any standard) as well.

I'm hoping that the outside air corrects this issue as I do not want to invest in pricey CO2 media.

Other things to note:

Yes I have cross tested with to pH meters

Yes I have calibrated the pH meters

No I'm not running a calcium reactor

Not really sure why I posted this, as I already know the suggestions lol.

 

Kevin,

what is your alkalinity testing at? if you are swinging from 7.67 to 8.01 on a daily basis, ill bet it is WAY LOW. we haven't been able to open the windows as we normally do at our house this spring due to some poor decision making by our neighbor. by pusing my alkalinity up with 2 part, my PH has stabilized greatly and has corrected to near 8.1.

whatever you do, dont chase the PH just to get it higher. it is usually more of an indicator of another issue.

 

I deal with low PH myself and utilize kalk to assist in maintaining that.
Not sure how much chaeto you have but that is also supposed to assist keeping PH stable at night instead of suffering the drop off.

My alk generally run mid 9's and not the cause of my low PH. As long as it stays above 7.8 at night I am happy.

 

It had been hanging around 4.0 meq/l, which is quite high, but slowly dropped off to about 2.7 meq/l over a week as I was too busy to refill my dosing container. I am slowly working it back up and tonight's dose should have me back up to 3.5 meq/l, where I would like to keep it. I'll see if that improves it any, but I think it is the CO2 accumulation in the small, tightly constructed apartment.

I don't typically chase pH, but in the 7.6 area, coral skeleton is on the verge of dissolving, so it is definitely something I need to address.

 

I thought about utilizing kalk, but right no I have automated 2-part dosing that is maintaining levels perfectly.

 

There's a definite difference between "chasing" pH and keeping it in a safe range. With everything else in check, you're most likely correct with your instinct concerning low O2. I've heard of many others who have corrected the low pH issue by running the skimmer airline outside. Hopefully it works as well for you.

 

Well it did. After running the skimmer intake outside for 9 hours, My pH climbed to nearly 8.4 today. It will be interesting what the overnight low drops to. I'll guess 8.0.

 

how did you run it outside? I am thinking I need to do this also

 

Right now it's very temporary. I have tubing running right out the sliding glass door lol. It's pinched between the two panes.

Foam head stayed the same.

 

Guess this is not next project. I will have to test this tomorrow during the day out a window.