PH Levels

[Reef Happy]

Just curious. What does everyones ph levels run. Low during night.

 

[blakers82]

According to my Aquacontroller, pH runs from 8-8.15 with a few spikes up to about 8.3 when fresh kalkwasser is mixed in my reservoir. I run my calcium reactor at a constant 6.65 and drip from the reservoir at night. I also have a refugium lit at night.

 

[cjilge]

Mine stays pretty consistant between 8.2-8.3 with a slight drop at night, but I to have my fuge lit at night.

 

[happysak]

Night about 7.9. Day about 8.25

 

[bobkill]

I think it drops at night bc the calcification process occurs at a faster rate so it pulls alk ca etc out of the water column to utilize the process then when light come back on they release what wasn't used -
Some jazz like that

 

[bobkill]

Sorry though that said why - 7.9 night 8.2 day

 

[Reef Happy]

I have a fuge lit at night too. My night time is about 8.1 and day is 8.3 according to the apex controller. I was wondering what the proper drop should be.

 

[cjilge]

sounds about right to me

 

[Lytehouse]

yeah,

that doesn't sound outa line

 

[Reef Happy]

That is what I was thinking. I was just wondering how low ph can drop and still be safe.

 

[aaparkr]

lights and pH

lights and pH

I don't have it in front of me, but I have read from several sources that the pH drop has to do with photosynthesis. All that carbon dioxide changing to oxygen when the lights are on increases the pH of the water. That is why it is recommended that you run your 'fuge on an opposite cycle from the tank (assuming you have green things in your refugium to change co2 to carbon and O2).
I was thinking that calcium reactors operate at a low pH. I know my denitrifier runs at a low pH and I counter that with a kalkwasser reactor.

I would feel uncomfortable if the water gets below 7.4 for very long. I know my tank inhabitants start to close up below 7.8, but I have talked to people who say they routinely run at 7.6.

Tony

 

[blakers82]

I can say that I've had my pH around 7.6-7.8 at one point. My experience did not produce the color I would have liked in my SPS although my softies flourished at the time. And my Seriatopora grew like mad through it all. lol. Seriatopora