Low PH

Hello;


I've got a 210 gallon reef tank with a PH running between 7.8 -8.0. The
alkalinity is near the top, around 3.0 or so. Any parameters I should be
looking at that could affect this? Everything seems to be doing pretty good and
that includes fish
(Naso, Purple, Sailfin, Clown, Hippo tangs & foxface which are on the large
side, 5-9 inches, a madarin dragonet and 4 gobies (2 fire, dragon and diamond.)
Corals are 4 clams and mostly softer corals such as leathers, colt,
mushrooms, hammer, cups, pagodas, finger, foxglove, etc....

the tank has a deep sand bed and probably 225 pounds of very mature live
rock with alot of coraline algea
55 gallon sump
mag 24 & mag 12 main pumps (about 3000 gph circulation)
Aqua C 180 protein skimmer
3 mag 12 pumps for internal circulation
750w 10k MH
960w VHO

nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and phosphate seem fine

I use an aquacontroller jr for temperature control (among other things)
and tank stays at a constant 80 degrees.

It was running between 8.1 and 8.3 and can't figure out why the dip. Any
sugestion welcome



thanks

Bob

Check your meter and calibrate it again. If, as I imagine, you have done
that then there is the possibility that you need a water change. If that is
already done consider adding a pH riser. If that is not convenient at this
time something is lowering your pH, food? supplements? medications? heat?
poor circulation? testing kit?
there are many possibilities...
iy
wrote in message
...

Hello;


I've got a 210 gallon reef tank with a PH running between 7.8 -8.0.
The
alkalinity is near the top, around 3.0 or so. Any parameters I should be
looking at that could affect this? Everything seems to be doing pretty
good and
that includes fish
(Naso, Purple, Sailfin, Clown, Hippo tangs & foxface which are on the
large
side, 5-9 inches, a madarin dragonet and 4 gobies (2 fire, dragon and
diamond.)
Corals are 4 clams and mostly softer corals such as leathers, colt,
mushrooms, hammer, cups, pagodas, finger, foxglove, etc....

the tank has a deep sand bed and probably 225 pounds of very mature
live
rock with alot of coraline algea
55 gallon sump
mag 24 & mag 12 main pumps (about 3000 gph circulation)
Aqua C 180 protein skimmer
3 mag 12 pumps for internal circulation
750w 10k MH
960w VHO

nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and phosphate seem fine

I use an aquacontroller jr for temperature control (among other
things)
and tank stays at a constant 80 degrees.

It was running between 8.1 and 8.3 and can't figure out why the dip.
Any
sugestion welcome



thanks

Bob

You are more than likely have the same problem many are having. It has been hot out and
air conditioners on. This causes CO2 to build up in the house/apt, which lowers the pH, do
to high room air CO2. CO2 will drop your pH no matter what your Alk is. Open a couple of
windows and direct a fan to blow out room air and pull in outside air. The next day the pH
will probably be back were it was. You can also start a kalk drip, if needed, as kalk
"eats" up/reacts with CO2.

Ca(OH)2 + H2O=== Ca++ + 2OH

2OH + 2CO2 ===. 2HCO3- buffer ( bicarbonate)

--
Boomer

If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up

Former US Army Bomb Technician (EOD)
Member; IABTI, NATEODA, WEODF, ISEE & IPS

Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php

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http://www.coralrealm.com



wrote in message ...
:
: Hello;
:
:
: I've got a 210 gallon reef tank with a PH running between 7.8 -8.0. The
: alkalinity is near the top, around 3.0 or so. Any parameters I should be
: looking at that could affect this? Everything seems to be doing pretty good and
: that includes fish
: (Naso, Purple, Sailfin, Clown, Hippo tangs & foxface which are on the large
: side, 5-9 inches, a madarin dragonet and 4 gobies (2 fire, dragon and diamond.)
: Corals are 4 clams and mostly softer corals such as leathers, colt,
: mushrooms, hammer, cups, pagodas, finger, foxglove, etc....
:
: the tank has a deep sand bed and probably 225 pounds of very mature live
: rock with alot of coraline algea
: 55 gallon sump
: mag 24 & mag 12 main pumps (about 3000 gph circulation)
: Aqua C 180 protein skimmer
: 3 mag 12 pumps for internal circulation
: 750w 10k MH
: 960w VHO
:
: nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and phosphate seem fine
:
: I use an aquacontroller jr for temperature control (among other things)
: and tank stays at a constant 80 degrees.
:
: It was running between 8.1 and 8.3 and can't figure out why the dip. Any
: sugestion welcome
:
:
:
: thanks
:
: Bob
:
:
:
:

"Boomer" wrote:
You are more than likely have the same problem many are having. It has been
hot out and
air conditioners on. This causes CO2 to build up in the house/apt, which
lowers the pH, do
to high room air CO2. CO2 will drop your pH no matter what your Alk is. Open a
couple of
windows and direct a fan to blow out room air and pull in outside air. The
next day the pH
will probably be back were it was. You can also start a kalk drip, if needed,
as kalk
"eats" up/reacts with CO2.

Ca(OH)2 + H2O=== Ca++ + 2OH

2OH + 2CO2 ===. 2HCO3- buffer ( bicarbonate)

--
Boomer



Thanks, I'll try that.

Bob