Maintaining pH
- Thread starter mdiddy7s
- Start date
blakers82
Member
Hello Mike,
From my experience, aquarium pH is normally more likely to drop when a calcium reactor is in use. The reason is the carbon dioxide that is fed to the reactor lowers the reactor's effluent to a much lower pH (usually 6.5-6.7 pH inside the reactor). This drips into the sump or aquarium and therefor brings down the system's pH.
I'd say that a pH of 8.3 is considered a relatively high, but good, pH for an aquarium with a Calcium RX...atleast from what I've surfed through on these boards and learned from local reefers. I drip kalkwasser (high pH!) in conjunction with my Ca reactor and still maintain a pH 7.8, which is on the floor of generally acceptable levels.
Kalkwasser drip and allowing extra oxygen to the aquarium are two ways of helping to raise/keep pH at higher levels. I'm currently setting up a dosing system of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium supplements on a 65 gallon aquarium, but really have no past in dosing besides kalk. I still believe a calcium reactor would be the most efficient way to maintain parameters of a stocked coral system of 300-400 gallons.
Perhaps others running calcium reactors could chime in on their specific pH experiences?? Has anyone used dosing pumps and a calcium reactor (at different times) on the same system? Were there significant differences in pH???
Good questions, Mike!:thumbsup:
From my experience, aquarium pH is normally more likely to drop when a calcium reactor is in use. The reason is the carbon dioxide that is fed to the reactor lowers the reactor's effluent to a much lower pH (usually 6.5-6.7 pH inside the reactor). This drips into the sump or aquarium and therefor brings down the system's pH.
I'd say that a pH of 8.3 is considered a relatively high, but good, pH for an aquarium with a Calcium RX...atleast from what I've surfed through on these boards and learned from local reefers. I drip kalkwasser (high pH!) in conjunction with my Ca reactor and still maintain a pH 7.8, which is on the floor of generally acceptable levels.
Kalkwasser drip and allowing extra oxygen to the aquarium are two ways of helping to raise/keep pH at higher levels. I'm currently setting up a dosing system of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium supplements on a 65 gallon aquarium, but really have no past in dosing besides kalk. I still believe a calcium reactor would be the most efficient way to maintain parameters of a stocked coral system of 300-400 gallons.
Perhaps others running calcium reactors could chime in on their specific pH experiences?? Has anyone used dosing pumps and a calcium reactor (at different times) on the same system? Were there significant differences in pH???
Good questions, Mike!:thumbsup:
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I also use three part (Bulk Reef Supply) dosing on my 500G system (350G DT) and pH ranges from 8.2 in the early morning after the lights have been off, to 8.5 after the lights have been on all day. I don't do any type of additional dosing to control pH.
My pH ran low when I was using a Calcium Reactor (not to mention ALK went off the charts)
JME.
LL
My pH ran low when I was using a Calcium Reactor (not to mention ALK went off the charts)
JME.
LL
mskohl
Active member
Mike, make sure you have plenty of oxygen exchange. The water surface should be rippling and having the sump and skimmer help too. If the tank is in an enclosed area and you haven't had fresh air in awhile, this could be contributing.
If your alkalinity is stable, then you could probably just dose for pH, but once you have a stable dKH, your pH should balance out as well. Your pH can range between 7.8 and 8.4 and you should expect it to drop some at night and be a little lower in the winter.
If your alkalinity is stable, then you could probably just dose for pH, but once you have a stable dKH, your pH should balance out as well. Your pH can range between 7.8 and 8.4 and you should expect it to drop some at night and be a little lower in the winter.
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