Changing Limewater method...

[galoot]

So I just purchased a controller and all the goodies. I, like most, have a ph drop at night. from around 8.1(2) to around 7.87(9)

I only dose limewater through a passive tunze reactor hooked up to my top off water.

Now that I have the ability to continually monitor ph and control outlets, should I get a doser pump and run the limewater based on ph rise and drop? Then have only pure RO water in the top off. Or leave the top off as is and add doser pump with limewater for the extra night time boost?

Is there any chance the ph would spiked later in the day with the limewater drip at night supplementing ph? Or being that it's controlled it would be ok?

Trying to get this setup more automated. I plan on a doser for carbon dosing too in the near further.

TIA!

 

[acrohead500ppm]

method sounds good, however considering the things that could go wrong I would stay away!!! you could raise your ph too high, however, I doubt this would be a problem with a tunze dispenser, I would be more worried about a big flood.

 

[bdare]

I agree. Best not to dose supplements based on pH rather it's better to dose based on ALK. If your ALK is between 8-12 and your pH is still low then I'd consider adding some sort of aeration to the tank or get more fresh air in your house.

 

[galoot]

my Alk is 11. I know I could use more fresh air, but it's tough. I could maybe get a small air line under the house and use a small air pump. I just have no idea how small(big) it would have to be to be effective. is it even possible to pump a line off the intake side?

My tank is 100gal with 40 gal sump, skimmer, etc...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd probably only use pH as an emergency shut off (pH > 8.6 or so) for the limewater, and base the dosing on alkalinity.

 

[galoot]

Alright, I rigged up two 1/2" outside air lines for my skimmer and an air pump pushing two air stones. One in the sump with the skimmer and the other in the corner overflow. I'll see if that does anything.

Any idea how long it will take to see a change?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Almost anything that impacts pH will have its effect within a day.

 

[galoot]

fingers crossed!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Good luck.

 

[galoot]

well it "only" dropped to 7.91. we'll see what the day brings. should i even worry about it if I can keep it in that range?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If that is the minimum, I wouldn't agonize over getting it higher.

 

[galoot]

^ Ok but my daytime high only hit 8.03 for some reason. Part of me wishes I could double check my probe against someone else's water or equipment.

Or should I just leave all as is?

Sent from my Rezound using tapatalk.

 

[needmore-reef]

You will hear this often here, that you don’t need to worry about numbers rather focus on consistency.

Its amazing the effect opening the windows makes on my tank pH

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

^ Ok but my daytime high only hit 8.03 for some reason. Part of me wishes I could double check my probe against someone else's water or equipment.

Or should I just leave all as is?
.

A pH range of 7.9 to 8.0 is fine.