Oxygenating the Water?

[ReeferNoob4ever]

What is the general rule of thumb about putting air bubbles in through the powerhead from time to time? Does doing so hurt or help the tank?

I only ask these questions because I have read and heard people mentioning that a major part of the biological process involves an anaerobic state when referring to nitrates and such. I also want to make sure my pH remains balanced and my understanding is that oxygen plays a major role in pH stability.

Any insight on the subject is greatly appreciated.
:fish1:

 

[nereefpat]

A 20L with sufficient surface agitation will have plenty of oxygen. Skimmers are great at adding oxygen too.

Adding air bubbles with a venturi from a powerhead would be unnecessary and cause lots of salt creep.

As far as the pH, oxygen doesn't directly have anything to do with pH.

 

[Reefbuoy]

An overflow or skimmer should provide plenty of aerobic exchange of oxygen in the water versus anaerobic processing of waste products in live rock.

What is the general rule of thumb about putting air bubbles in through the powerhead from time to time? Does doing so hurt or help the tank?

I only ask these questions because I have read and heard people mentioning that a major part of the biological process involves an anaerobic state when referring to nitrates and such. I also want to make sure my pH remains balanced and my understanding is that oxygen plays a major role in pH stability.

Any insight on the subject is greatly appreciated.
:fish1:

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Thank you for your response. I ask because according to my test strip my pH is lower than I'd prefer. 7.8ish. I have areas of high, med, and low flow based on the current interaction between the power head and filter outlet + bouncing off rocks and such. The top of my tank ripples and waves. My room has plenty of air flow. I'm using salt and aragon it that is supposed to buffer my alkalinity/pH at 8.2. My kH is 8 and calcium 420.

I'm wondering why my pH is low.

 

[Reefbuoy]

To me air bubbles is equal to salt creep on your equipment and tank.

 

[powderblue1]

I'm not going too deep here with the chemistry. You can search it in the chemistry forums for classic debates about atmospheric influences on saltwater pH. Just know that a good skimmer oxygenates the water and surface disruption by a wavemaker or powerhead is what you really need for pH maintenance in the way you are referring to. pH drops at night and then steadily increases during the day due to many factors. This is normal and should happen. Placing a macro-algae in the sump with a good, actinic heavy LED that is on at night will help to smooth out the day/night shifts in pH.
Other than that, just maintain a clean tank with water changes, water changes, water changes.

Be well and let me know how it comes along...:fish1:

PS: Testing alkalinity is your main concern when it comes to the dangers you are referring to. dKH of 9 - 11 is ideal

Good article if you want to get deep- http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/chemistry

 

[Reefbuoy]

Need more tank parameters such as nitrite and nitrate levels what type of filter you are using and maybe a pic of the tank.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

The tank is 2 weeks and 5 days old. I seeded it with goldfish water and put in uncured live rock. I have done 1 10% water change.

Currently my ammonia is 0ppm, nitrite 0ppm, nitrate 15ppm. Those are down from 5 days ago @ 0ppm ammonia, 3ppm nitrate, 45ppm nitrate.

It seems as though all my parameters are within range except pH. I will add a small amount of buffer in my next water change and hope it doesn't go up too quickly.

 

[nereefpat]

I will add a small amount of buffer in my next water change and hope it doesn't go up too quickly.

Not sure what "goldfish water" is...Ok I can guess.

Don't add buffer if your dKH is already 8, and don't worry about pH so much

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Not sure what "goldfish water" is...Ok I can guess.

Don't add buffer if your dKH is already 8, and don't worry about pH so much

I have a goldfish in a bowl. I just dumped it all in the tank before I added salt and filled the goldfish bowl back up with water. I let that go for about 3 days then put in salt.

Ok, sometimes that's all I need to hear, thanks! I'll just make sure it doesn't go down. I just feel like I'm on a razor thin edge and any lower might need to throw in baking soda at least. :crazy1:

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Reefbouy,

<a href="http://s1377.photobucket.com/user/iandrackert/media/tank_zpsc5wcbsve.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/ah44/iandrackert/tank_zpsc5wcbsve.png" border="0" alt="Day 12 photo tank_zpsc5wcbsve.png"/></a>

 

[Reefbuoy]

What kind of filter is on the back of the tank? If it flows back over the top and into the tank, you should have plenty of oxygen in the water.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Ok, just as a test I'm going to run the bubbles in there until tomorrow right before the same time I tested pH today and retest it. If it goes up then maybe there is something to it. If not, I'll play it by ear.

 

[homer1475]

Don't chase your PH. Keep your alk in range and throw out the PH test. 99.9% of seasoned reefers couldn't even tell you what their PH is.

CO2 in your home will dictate where your PH will fall. Anything between 7.6 and 8.3 is absolutely fine.

Adding buffer is just adding alkalinity to temp raise PH. Once the buffer solution settles in, the PH will drop right back to where it was.

FYI, running air into your PH is just adding more CO2 laden air into your tank. Your home isn't a very oxygen rich environment. If your that worried about it(you shouldn't be), then run an air line from your skimmer to the outside.

 

[FishN00b83]

If you have glass covers take them off and open your windows. You can also run the skimmer air line outside to pull fresh air.


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[farfromsea]

I have a goldfish in a bowl. I just dumped it all in the tank before I added salt and filled the goldfish bowl back up with water. I let that go for about 3 days then put in salt.

Once you have living things in the tank make sure you mix your saltwater in a clean container rather than directly in the tank

And of course use RODI water if you're keeping a reef!

Glad your cycle is progressing well


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[ReeferNoob4ever]

Thanks everyone! I'm feeling a lot better about pH now. I definitely will mix the salt separately in a bucket over night with air flow. I have an RO filter also.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Putting O2 in the tank via the PH did nothing. But hey, I'm the type of guy that likes to try things out for myself.

My next question is:

Can I just put pH up in my water change of 10% per week and slowly raise the entire tank up without disrupting my alkalinity buffer?

Right now my kH is 120ppm (8) ca++ is 420ppm but pH still hanging at 7.8
I feel more comfortable at around 8.0 or should I just accept the fact I have more of a lagoon condition. Temp is 74F.

I think my issue is that I'm using RO water.

 

[nereefpat]

I would guess that pH up is just a product that raises alkalinity. Take the above advice about fresh air, CO2, and about not worrying so much about pH.

 

[Potatohead]

Putting O2 in the tank via the PH did nothing. But hey, I'm the type of guy that likes to try things out for myself.

The only thing that will make a difference is running your skimmer airline to the outside air. If you don't have a skimmer, don't worry about it. Open a window in the room and see if the pH changes. If it does, you have surplus CO2 in your home, which is common.

Can I just put pH up in my water change of 10% per week and slowly raise the entire tank up without disrupting my alkalinity buffer?

No.

Right now my kH is 120ppm (8) ca++ is 420ppm but pH still hanging at 7.8
I feel more comfortable at around 8.0 or should I just accept the fact I have more of a lagoon condition. Temp is 74F.

Your water conditions are 100% fine, do not try and mess with it.

I think my issue is that I'm using RO water.

You need to understand that you don't have any issues at all. I have quite honestly never heard someone say using RO water is an issue and (no offense) it proves you are incorrect in your thoughts.