Tank Levels

[avblanchard]

CAL 450
ALK 9.7
MAG 1300
PH. 7.8

I'm trying to get my ph back up to 8.2 not sure why it dropped to 7.8 I know you can usually open a window or run the skimmer intake outside but it's Arizona and 7000 degrees outside anyone have any other ideas? I did hookup a powerhead with a heavy air intake in my sump and will recheck my levels when I get home from work tonight.

 

[jmadison]

What time were these readings in relation to your photo period?

 

[avblanchard]

My lights had been off for about 4 hours

 

[jmadison]

Is this when you would typically test before? Try checking your PH at various points (i.e. lights on, "mid day", lights about off, after lights off X hours, and right before lights on). It may swing from 7.8 to 8.2; maybe more maybe less. PH tends to dip at night after lights/photosynthesis stop and respiration by the reef inhabitants continues to add more carbon dioxide to the water column.

 

[avblanchard]

That makes sense I'll test again when I get home thanks for the info

 

[JOSHUAB]

I had a 400g system awile back and it would fluctuate from 7.8 to 8.0 never could get it higher, but my SPS grew like crazy

 

[kjonulak]

My tank varies from 7.9 to 8.0. My fuge runs opposite of main tank. I tried the other day when it was cool in the early morning opening the windows. Even put a fan in the window. pH didn't change at all. Windows were open for about 4 hours. I have a pinpoint pH monitor that was just calibrated using new 7.0 and 10.0 solutions.

I don't worry about the pH, corals are growing great. I dose limewater as my topoff water. Alk levels are pretty steady at 10.5Kdh.

 

[avblanchard]

Just tested again at 8.1 ph so I guess I don't have anything to worry about it just fluctuates a little. This is my first time keeping sps so any pro sps keepers how do the rest of my levels look?

 

[evolved]

Don't chase pH. Only worry about Alk.

 

[avblanchard]

Is my alk too high?

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I have an evap cooler blowing outside air over my tank and the PH does not go above 8.0 so dont worry about it. I think your levels look pretty good. I would personally have the Alk about 8.6 but thats just me. As long as your levels are in the good range it is more important for them to be steady than to be a certain number.