Is PH swing normal?

[Webmanny]

Hi guys,

I recently got the ReefKeeper NET module from a fellow forum reefer and I started to capture some parameters(I don't know how I lived without this before)LOL.

I have been keeping an eye on the PH and Temp so far and I have noticed that my PH has taken some weird swings in the past few days. I just wanted to share this with the group to see if you've had the same experience or can share your experience.

Thank you in advance for your help.

PH Chart:

Temp Chart:

 

[listen2bob]

pH fluctuates with the photosynthetic rate of the tank. This is why many people run a refugium when the main lights are off. Other things that change the oH is your home's CO2 and O2 ratios. If your house is closed for awhile and then you open the Windows on a nice day your pH will swing dramatically. That said, I don't chase or monitor pH.

 

[risin]

I recommend not chasing ph as well. I would only monitor ph on a calcium reactor.

 

[Webmanny]

Interesting. I think I am still under the right parameters, but wanted to check with the experts to see what the general consensus is.

 

[CuzzA]

Webmanny,

As mentioned ph fluctuations aren't really much to be concerned about except when they're constantly too high or low. Looking at your chart I would say your ph is getting dangerously low. You want your low end to be at least above 7.8. When your water starts becoming to acidic it will start to break down coral skeleton.

Your temperature is really low too. 75F is pushing it. The average temperature on a coral reef is around 82-84F. But for us it's best to be somewhere in the middle like 79-80 to buy time against heater/chiller failures or power outages.

Im not familiar with the RK, but I'll add once you get your ph in line you should consider adding some programming to turn off your ato, dosing, etc. if the ph drops too low. This will act as a safeguard against a stuck switch or similar and prevent a flood of freshwater.

 

[Webmanny]

CuzzA,

This makes perfect sense. I appreciate it. I have a few things to do this week.

1. Calibrate my PH sensor(Waiting on the solution to come in)
2. Add buffer to increase my PH and maintain it
3. Check my Heater to bring temps a bit higher

Thank you for your help.

 

[CuzzA]

CuzzA,

This makes perfect sense. I appreciate it. I have a few things to do this week.

1. Calibrate my PH sensor(Waiting on the solution to come in)
2. Add buffer to increase my PH and maintain it
3. Check my Heater to bring temps a bit higher

Thank you for your help.

No problem. Open a window in your home and watch you ph skyrocket.

 

[IrishTang]

CuzzA,

This makes perfect sense. I appreciate it. I have a few things to do this week.

1. Calibrate my PH sensor(Waiting on the solution to come in)
2. Add buffer to increase my PH and maintain it
3. Check my Heater to bring temps a bit higher

Thank you for your help.

You can buy the Milwaukee calibration fluids at most LFS, I recently had to re-calibrate my own. Be sure to buy both of course, the 7.0 and the 10.0.

 

[Tryder]

Is you house new? How big is your skimmer/Tank?

I live in a newer house had the same issue as you when I first started out. I drilled a hole through the out side, so my skimmer could suck fresh air in. You can do the test of tanking some of your water form your tank bringing it outside and adding a small air pump to it. This will give you a idea of how much CO2 your house is holding.

 

[Webmanny]

Very good points. I think I did too good of a job sealing the house and now the tank is suffering. I'll do this test and see where it goes. Thank you all.

 

[Webmanny]

A quick update. I realized I had closed off a small vent that the A/C system had, which occasionally brought fresh air from the outside, because the last guy that came to do repairs recommended it. I enabled that switch and the PH has gotten much better.

I also found an issue with my RKL where the PC4 outlet for the heater was on a timer rather than an always on with an alarm fail safe. Fixed that and the temp also improved and it is more stable.

I still need to increase it a bit, but I want to do it over a few days instead of all at once. I don't want to kill anything.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have posted a few graphs below for your review.

New PH Chart:

New Temp Chart: