mc-cro
(macro)
I have never been one to pay attention to PH. Heck, I have never even had a PH meter until just this past winter. I know a lot of people put a lot of effort into trying to maintain the "optimal" PH, and I really think they often cause more issues, especially when they start trying to add buffers to stabilize or bring it up.
That being said, now that I have a constant PH monitor on my controller, I can see that my PH is chronically low, at 7.7- 7.85 In the 8 months since I have had the monitor set up, I dont think it has ever risen above 8.0. ( I have calibrated several times) I read that most people shoot for 8.0-8.2, and that below 7.6, you start dissolving calcium.
I am sure the lower PH is C02 related. The sump room is closed off, plus I run a C02 reactor. Since my ALK is fine, at 9.6, the PH should be a little higher naturally, I think? but I am pretty sure the excess C02 is driving it down.
So, the big "I wonder" keeps haunting me. I wonder if I can get just a little better SPS growth if I get the PH up a couple of points.
I considered running a fuge on opposite lights, but I dont have a fuge, and I cant get cheato to grow in my system, so thats out.
I could run my frag tank on an opposite cycle, but I really dont want to have to get up at 3am to see my frags, plus I am not sure there is enough to offset the ph drop
I thought about adding Kalkwasser in my ATO. but my levels are rock solid right now with my CaRX, so I dont want to go messing with that.
I considered running an airline to an open window, but every time I turn around someone is spraying pesticides or chemicals out in yard, so I dont want to run that risk.
I have heard good things about sodalime, so I think I am going to give that a try. I ordered some stuff the other day, so I when I get back home, I will hook up a "C02 scrubber" to my skimmer intake and see if that brings my PH up a couple of points.
Then the real test, will my SPS appreciate it, or will it just be for my own piece of mind?
That being said, now that I have a constant PH monitor on my controller, I can see that my PH is chronically low, at 7.7- 7.85 In the 8 months since I have had the monitor set up, I dont think it has ever risen above 8.0. ( I have calibrated several times) I read that most people shoot for 8.0-8.2, and that below 7.6, you start dissolving calcium.
I am sure the lower PH is C02 related. The sump room is closed off, plus I run a C02 reactor. Since my ALK is fine, at 9.6, the PH should be a little higher naturally, I think? but I am pretty sure the excess C02 is driving it down.
So, the big "I wonder" keeps haunting me. I wonder if I can get just a little better SPS growth if I get the PH up a couple of points.
I considered running a fuge on opposite lights, but I dont have a fuge, and I cant get cheato to grow in my system, so thats out.
I could run my frag tank on an opposite cycle, but I really dont want to have to get up at 3am to see my frags, plus I am not sure there is enough to offset the ph drop
I thought about adding Kalkwasser in my ATO. but my levels are rock solid right now with my CaRX, so I dont want to go messing with that.
I considered running an airline to an open window, but every time I turn around someone is spraying pesticides or chemicals out in yard, so I dont want to run that risk.
I have heard good things about sodalime, so I think I am going to give that a try. I ordered some stuff the other day, so I when I get back home, I will hook up a "C02 scrubber" to my skimmer intake and see if that brings my PH up a couple of points.
Then the real test, will my SPS appreciate it, or will it just be for my own piece of mind?
