Still Chasing pH?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Mr. Bill, Feb 10, 2015.

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  1. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    From Mr. Saltwater Tank

    Terrible Advice Tuesdays: Tangs need a pH of 8.2 to thrive

    The rest of the story: Somehow I suspect a sale of pH buffer accompanied this advice.

    I pay little attention to pH. Why? Because unless it is below 7.6 or above 8.6, it really doesn't matter what the pH of your tank is. Your corals might care and I can promise you your fish (even tangs) care less about pH.

    If you are chasing pH, then you've obviously fallen victim to this lie.


    Mr. Saltwater Tank - pH
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    When I first started this hobby as a fresh water hobbyist, it was all about pH for Angels,....Discus. You wanted acidic then when reefs came you had to have at least 8.2 24/7. I have not tested for pH in a long long time.

    I tend to try to encourage stability but the message still gets lost in all the hype by the industry products and their push to sell buffers regardless of how it messes with the rest of your tanks chemistry.

    Look at Purple Up, they sell a ton of it.
     
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  4. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    I will be honest, thus far I've noticed a huge difference in coral growth with pH at 8.1-8.2 and stable rather than lower pH and minor fluctuations. However i've never heard about fish caring lol :)
     
  5. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    Mine ranges from 7.9 before lights on, to 8.3 at lights out. I have incredible surface agitation (tank and sump), in a large room and run chaeto on a reverse light cycle.

    I don't bother with it. It does what it does.
     
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  6. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Stability is more important than a specific number, although the more acidic, the more difficult it will be for your hard corals to grow.
     
  7. zesty

    zesty Sailfin Tang

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    I never checked pH until I got an apex. Now I use it to be a control to my kalk reactor. If my ph goes above 8.4, the kalk reactor will not dose Kalk. I also watch it cause it's cool to see it fluctuate between day/night, when I throw some vinegar in the tank to see it plummet for a brief moment. Graphs are cool!

    The only thing I do is keep the surface of the water moving for better gas exchange which helps the PH. I don't buffer or anything like that. There's already enough to chase in this hobby! :eek:
     
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  9. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Matt mentioned surface exchange.
    My system is all about surface exchange.:)

    I could tell ya what my Ph was, and what it fluctuates to............but,
    then I'd have to Kill Ya!o_O

    That's b/c I have NO idea, I NEVER check MY Ph.
    I do check Alk about once a week though :D
     
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  10. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    I monitored my pH for a while a few months back because I was concerned about it being too low. Recently I started monitoring it again due to the introduction of Kalk just to make sure it didn't get too high. I know my tank has plenty of gas exchange so I am not worried about it unless I am making a change which could effect the pH.
     
  11. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Measuring ph is underrated, IMO it's the cause for many coral issues.
     
  12. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Ok, you BioChemists our there:

    Can you have a high Alk, and a Low Ph, or vice versa in a reef ecosystem?