This Ph Trend Okay for SPS? Apex Graph Attached

[Zstriker]

Look at the first 4-5 days and let me know if you guys think this trend in Ph is okay for SPS health? I am unhappy with polyp extension and growth, so trying to fine tune the tank. Nothing is STN/RTNing or dying, but things certainly aren't thriving.

Take a look at my (just calibrated) ph trend? What do you guys think? It is normal for as soon as the lights come on for the PH to spike all the way to 8.5? I have plenty of aeration, so not sure I can lower it.

The last few days, the graph looks weird, because I have been experimenting dosing alk only after lights go off, rather than dosing small doses 24 hours a day....I think it might help stabilize ph some, but perhaps will lead to unstable alk?

Please check out my trend and let me know your thoughts...Thanks! Also - the crazy dip from yesterday was due to water change...

 

[AkaSlyGuy]

Well, I am no expert but I don't think you are really spiking "as soon as the lights come on". Looks to me like your lights probably come on about mid-day or a little after and go off around midnight. So it is actually taking 10-12 hours to reach its highest level. I would say the low point to high point is a pretty normal swing over the course of a day. I really don't think you are doing any harm in those ranges. However, if you are by chance dosing 2 part (recipe #1) I would switch to recipe #2 and see how that works. It is better for tanks that keep a higher ph. I am in just the opposite situation with my tank, it always runs low and rarely get to 8.0 ph.

Joe

 

[AkaSlyGuy]

If you were to look at those first days graphs by themselves it would show a more gradual increase in the ph and not look like it is spiking so fast.

 

[Zstriker]

If I were to go to recipe 2 should I dose 24/7 or only when lights are on since it has a slight ph lowering effect?

 

[AkaSlyGuy]

I personally would keep doing it each hour, but that is just me. If I remember correctly, you will use twice as much of recipe 2 as you do of #1 so dosing it when lights are on may help you more. Like I said though, I don't have experience with high ph, mine is always low

Joe