Do you need to check you PH in order to grow coloful sps?

[pusanpa]

Do you need to check/test your PH in order to keep coloful sps?
Or it is not that important? Thanks Joe

 

[REEF SMAC]

IME you need to check a lot of things to grow colorful SPS.

I would say that PH is really not that critical that you have to test it everyday. Most of the time its just nice to know.

It's nice to know that its running pretty steady, and if you have a digital controller or moniter showing you what it is all the time, it can alert you to some other issue you might not know is happening. I will definately look into things if my PH is running abnormally high or low.

It becomes more critical to know your PH level for instance, if you are adding kalk, so that you don't OD and shoot your PH up to 10.0 for the day.
Or maybe if you are running your CO2 way to high on your CA reactor and plummeting your PH down to 7.0.

 

[poakley723]

PH is dependant on alk mostly. Generally if your alk is correct you ph will be good.

But like REEF SMAC said if you are dosing it can effct your PH if over dosed.

 

[rogerwilco357]

i stare at my rke to see if the ph is spot on if it is high then my alk is probably spiking or too low below 8 then have to make sure the alk isn't dropping to fast usually if it is between 7.80-8.30 im ok

 

[Preston7]

You want to make sure your ph is withing a good range and stable. The actual number isn't as important as the stability (within reason & range, of course).

So, yes, it's important.

 

[NewBostonConst]

I haven't checked mine in the last year and I have a PH probe. People that do check it seem to be number chasers and do more harm then good. I think you just need to check Nitrate, Alk, Calc, and Mg.

 

[dvanacker]

Never check mine. Only two things normally affect pH. Alkalinity and dissolved oxygen/CO2 rates. If your alk and oxygen are good your pH should be fine.....some people check and fuss but its not worth it.

 

[aqua80]

Doesn't bother to calibrate my ph probe too... just check alk every two weeks or so an calcium/magnesium every couple of month(s), but my system is stable and I don't have a co2 reactor...

 

[DopeCantWin]

Never check mine. Only two things normally affect pH. Alkalinity and dissolved oxygen/CO2 rates. If your alk and oxygen are good your pH should be fine.....some people check and fuss but its not worth it.

I feel that it's more of a thermometer. You shouldn't try to fix the pH, as much as it will tell you something else is off kilter. When I see a low pH in the morning, I know to go ahead and check my Alk.

 

[JAustin]

Alk has a temporary affect on ph when being dosed. A tank with a dkh 8 and the same tank with a dkh of 12 will have the same ph. Ph can't be used as an indicator to check dkh.

If you have low ph you more than likely have additional co2 in your water. If you have high ph your dosing too much kalkwasser.

 

[DopeCantWin]

Alk has a temporary affect on ph when being dosed. A tank with a dkh 8 and the same tank with a dkh of 12 will have the same ph. Ph can't be used as an indicator to check dkh.

If you have low ph you more than likely have additional co2 in your water. If you have high ph your dosing too much kalkwasser.

You're misunderstanding. With a dkh of 12, the pH will be the same at the end of the light cycle, as in the morning. With a dkh of 6 it will be .5 lower. I know how high my pH gets during the day, so when I see it at 7.9 at night, it's time to dose a spoon of Baking Soda.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

No, many people keep sps without ever looking at PH.

 

[ShaunMonahan]

No so much a function of "good color", but a function of good calcification.