Couple questions about the effect of pH on SPS

[dmack]

How does low pH effect SPS? How low is too low? Other than limewater topoff, what are other effective ways of raising pH?

 

[pbnj]

CO2 scrubber

 

[jimsplace]

soda ash / baked baking soda will help.

 

[dmack]

Any other thoughts? I dont want to dose baking soda because my Alk is at a good level. I don't want my calcium and alk to get out of wack.

 

[TheHun]

Benefit of adding Kalkwasser:

It keeps the pH elevated. By adding Kalkwasser on a regular basis (make-up water); pH to be consistently between 8.2 and 8.4. Keeping the pH at this level makes it less likely that micro-algae will become a problem.

 

[dmack]

Benefit of adding Kalkwasser:

It keeps the pH elevated. By adding Kalkwasser on a regular basis (make-up water); pH to be consistently between 8.2 and 8.4. Keeping the pH at this level makes it less likely that micro-algae will become a problem.

I already use limewater for topoff. My pH generally runs about 8.0 during the day and 7.7-7.8 when the lights are off.

 

[dan223]

WHats your kh at,and do you run a calcium reactor?

 

[dmack]

ALL is 9-10, and I do use a calcium reactor

 

[arod2051]

I'm sure the CaRX is one of the causes for the low pH. I also had a 'low' pH in my tank of Day:8.05 and Night:7.85. Much to my wife's chagrin, I ran a vinyl tube outside to my skimmer inlet and my pH is now at Day:8.20 and night:8.10.

I do not top off with Kalkwasser. But I may do that to get to a pH of around 8.3.

I know many folks will say not to stress about getting to pH to 8.3. And I haven't. My levels have been at 8.2-8.1 for a few months now. Reefing is a great hobby for those who like to procrastinate.

 

[dmack]

I'm suprised that running your skimmertubing outside made such a big difference. Maybe I'll try too. Anything wrong with running the tubing through my dryer vent??

 

[arod2051]

Randy Holmes-Farley has a great article on low pH and how to remedy. In a nutshell, high CO2 levels cause a carbonic acid buildup which lowers pH. You can get high CO2 levels in a myriad of ways. The first is to run a CaRX which uses CO2. The second is to lock up your home in the winter to prevent frozen-toe syndrome. The airline tubing to the outside world prevents the 2nd issue from being an issue.

HTH

 

[Radioheadx14]

I had low pH in my SPS tank for many many months (7.8 at night & 8.1 during the day) and had no problem. Good growth and great colors. I think stability is a bigger issue. I figured out my problem was air circulation in the basement. An open window increased it by .1-.2.