pH and water changes

Hi all -

I recently setup a pH probe on my Reef Angel controller and I am starting to notice some interesting things.

When I first hooked it up, my aquarium was a running with some old water as I had ran out of salt and had to wait for a new bucket to come in. I typically do water changes at least once a month but it had been close to two months by the time I hooked up the pH probe.

With the old water, my pH readings swinged from 7.8 to 8.1. for a week or two.

Then I did two water changes with the new salt within 1 week of each other.

After that the pH started swinging from 8 to the 8.3's.

I am about 3 weeks out since last water change and I've started to notice in the last few days that the pH is dipping down to the 7.9's and going to 8.2 and 8.3.

I could be jumping the gun here but is there a correlation here? Or am I just making assumptions? It really makes me wonder.

It's neat all the same. I am enjoying have a full-time pH reading.

matt

 

I'm guessing it's a real behavior and correlation, and I bet the Alk level of your new water is higher than what you typically maintain the tank at. I think you're seeing an Alk buffer affect on pH.

 

I am noticing the same thing on my RKL pH probe. I'm about 2 months on a water change myself and it has dipped to the 7.9 area from around 8.2 normally. I am due for a major water change tomorrow, I will keep track and report back what I find.

 

Could be. I was experiencing an alk drop with the old water with my salifert testing. I previously had it stable at 4 meq/L with my doser. I was surprised to see the drop - I assumed it had something to do with the old water. Not sure.

Cool. Please do. Interesting to see someone else notice this too.

Thanks guys.

matt