PH Question

[jgiordano]

I just recently got a lighthouse controller and found that my PH is fluctuating from 8.2 down to 7.8 from day to night. My refugium was running during the day because of alot of light spilling over into the main display. Since I found out about the fluctuation fixed the light spilling over, reversed the refugium light schedule and it is still fluctuating.

My xenia looks slightly stressed (just comparing it to how it looked about 3 weeks ago).

I have read the articles on PH and ALK. My dkh is about 10.4 tested yesterday, I use B-ionic for alc and calcium.

So from what I have read I am guessing that I have excess CO2 in the air and water. I run a skimmer and also chemipure (which states that it prevents fluctuations).

Is it possible to have too much macro in the fuge and that the cheato on the bottom is not getting enough light (plants use oxygen gas and give off carbon dioxide gas in the dark when there is no photosynthesis.)?

 

[jnfallon]

Thats a pretty big swing. I'm not sure how much effect you can get from the reverse light cycle. I tried that too, with little/no result.

Possible to vent in fresh air? Can you attach a air pump outside and pump in air to the skimmer, tank or sump? Another possibility is to drip kalk at night, but that adds another thin to manage.

 

[Spracklcat]

Kalk is a good suggestion, and if dripping it is a pain you can add it in one dose as a slurry at lights out. Your Xenia are actually a good indicator of pH--they will start looking ragged and not pulse when the pH drops. Also, if you can get your pH up to 8.4 or even a tad higher during the day, then you won't go as low at night.

Christine

 

[JB NY]

Do you use a ca reactor? Many times that will cause the pH to drop lower as well. If not. See if the pH rises as we get more into the summer, and windows are open more getting more fresh air into the house.

While the swing is a little more than normal. Many people have swings lower than that. I find getting pH over 8.3 is almost impossible so do worry too much if you can;lt get it that high.

But reverse daylight on the refugium and dosing kalk at night along with more fresh air should do you right.

HTH

 

[jgiordano]

I just got back from one of the LFS by me and was told that neither kalk or an air pump will have any effect on PH, and I should use buffer...

I will be going somewhere else...

 

[DgenR8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9902711#post9902711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jgiordano
I just got back from one of the LFS by me and was told that neither kalk or an air pump will have any effect on PH, and I should use buffer...

I will be going somewhere else...

Where did you go?
Kalk will most certainly raise your PH, unless it's already at 12 or so, then Kalk would be worthless, but that wouldn't matter, everything would be dead..

If there is a buildup of CO2 in yuor home/tank (this happens fairly frequently in the winter with today's tightly sealed up houses), an airpump pushing clean OUTSIDE air into your skimmer WILL bring up yuor PH. Notice, that's only if there is a CO2 issue.

 

[Reef Junkie]

You can also try dosing your tank at night before you goto bed.
That should help stabilize the ph swing.

Also dripping your kalk overnight would definitely fix that problem.
You have a nice alk reading, I wouldn't stress too much over this.
How are the rest of the animals doing?

 

[jgiordano]

I have to be honest everything else is doing great. My blasto merletti has added so many heads I stopped counting. My neon green candy can is doing a 3 way split. Frogspawn is alwas open and growing. Zoo's are multiplying. And all livestock is fine.

Dripping kalk @ night seems to be the consensus, but I have my ato on all day. maybe I will look into a small drip box, or just let it be since every is doing well.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Reef Junkie]

If it ain't broken...
Stop looking at your controller, your animals will tell you all you need to know.

The only reason one would even have a controller is to automate something. If this unit is making you do more work then you did before, throw it out!:lol:

 

[jgiordano]

I got the controller for temperature (heater and Fan) which works great! I also like the ability to remotley see my params. I was a little nervous when I saw my PH fluctuating so much. I will keep the controller and calm down a little.