Can't get my PH probe to read correctly while in tank. Any tips?

[AlexR]

Is the refugium loaded with calerpa, etc? and is the probe close to the algae?

It is loaded with calerpa.
The probe is in another chamber about 5" away.

It's a problem getting the probe in the DT to even test because the wire is not long enough.

 

[AlexR]

It is loaded with calerpa.
The probe is in another chamber about 5" away.

It's a problem getting the probe in the DT to even test because the wire is not long enough.

The refugium has about 5lbs of LR as well. It's all in the center chamber with the algae.
The ph probe is in the right chamber with the main return pump, a couple small reactor pumps and the salinity probe.

As stated earlier I did put in grounding probe to eliminate any chance of stray voltage.
My main return pump is DC. I'm not sure about the reactor pumps. They are probably AC.
All my wave pumps in the DT are DC.

 

[loudell]

The calerpa is producing CO2 at times like all plants do. The fact that your refugium is loaded with calerpa and I bet it is very healthy means that you are probably producing a ton of CO2 which is depressing the pH to 7.5.
As an analogy think of the calerpa as a camp fire which produces heat. The closer you get the hotter it is. Your pH probe is very close to the camp fire. The fact that the windows are open does not really have enough impact to diffuse the CO2.
Get a pH probe with a longer cable or get an extension. Try measuring the pH in the tank perhaps at the point where the water enters the refugium. This may be your highest pH point.

 

[loudell]

I am not a fan of adding Kalkwasser or any chemical to counteract a phenomena that is normal and perhaps controllable.
Consider a better degassing plan for your outflow from the refugium and do not cover your tank which will trap an airspace layer of CO2 above your water line.
Definitely find a way or get another device to measure tank pH which should be different than the refugium campfire.

 

[AlexR]

I am not a fan of adding Kalkwasser or any chemical to counteract a phenomena that is normal and perhaps controllable.
Consider a better degassing plan for your outflow from the refugium and do not cover your tank which will trap an airspace layer of CO2 above your water line.
Definitely find a way or get another device to measure tank pH which should be different than the refugium campfire.

My tank is mostly open. It is covered a bit on the sides for safety. The entire middle is open.
I'll see if I can get a extension for the probe and place it in the DT and see if it reads differently.

 

[AlexR]

The calerpa is producing CO2 at times like all plants do. The fact that your refugium is loaded with calerpa and I bet it is very healthy means that you are probably producing a ton of CO2 which is depressing the pH to 7.5.
As an analogy think of the calerpa as a camp fire which produces heat. The closer you get the hotter it is. Your pH probe is very close to the camp fire. The fact that the windows are open does not really have enough impact to diffuse the CO2.
Get a pH probe with a longer cable or get an extension. Try measuring the pH in the tank perhaps at the point where the water enters the refugium. This may be your highest pH point.

I got the ph probe into the DT and it went up to 7.9.
Much better. Although I'm sure it should go up to at least 8.2 over time.

 

[AlexR]

Seems I really need to do something about getting my PH up before I start adding any corals.

Since relocating the probe to the DT the PH goes from a low of 7.5 up to 7.95.

 

[AlexR]

I think the NPX bioplastics May also be lowering my PH.


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