What is your PH swing?

[badbread]

Just curious what everyone's PH swing is...

On average the PH in my tank swings between 7.6 and 8.1, and for extremes these past two weeks it has gone to 7.47 and 8.13. I know there should be a swing but I don't think it should be that dramatic right? Am I doing something wrong? I recently lowered the level of my ATO so there is more sloshing of water in the back chambers, the Vortech sits pretty close to the surface and creates some good surface waves, and while the tank is covered one of my cooling fans is mounted where the access door in the hood is pulling air out whenever the temp rises above 77.5 degrees.

I recently checked the calibration of my PH probe in both 7 and 10 solutions and with an API PH test and they were both spot on so I don't think there is anything wrong with my probe.

Thanks!
Jay

 

[bluetang_2000]

with the kalkreactor, my ph swing is 8.3 to 8.4. When I wasn't running the kalkreactor, the swing was from 8.0 to 8.3

 

[seminolecpa]

7.47 even 7.6 is really low. Mine usually is between 8.0 and 8.4 depending on the time of day and whether or not my windows in the house are open or closed.

 

[badbread]

Anyone else? PH swings?

 

[GreshamH]

8.1 to 8.4

 

[drdoolittle]

My PH swings from 7.7 oto 7.9. Cal at 480 and Alk at 10. Its pretty low, but my corals and inhabitant seems to be doing ok. In fact, they're healthier now. It could be due to my calcium reactor and Sulfur reactor, bringing my ph down.

I'm still debating if i should take my Sulfur reactor offline, but someone advice me that if everything is healthy. Why change anything...

 

[GreshamH]

Some one correct me if I am wrong but I though corals couldn't calcify at a PH below 8? It's been a while since I've needed to remember that info so I could be off

 

[drdoolittle]

I know, i even calibrated my probe. But my corals are healthy.. (knock on wood). They are not growing as fast as I want to, but color and polyp expension are there..Maybe my probe is bad, I'll try to measure ph using a test kit tonight.

 

[GreshamH]

I'll send you some 7.1 standard if you want Just PM me your full shipping address with daytime phone

 

[badbread]

What can I look at to see why my PH is dipping so low at night? I tested my water change salt mix last night and the KH was 11 and calcium was around 480. Please help!

 

[seminolecpa]

Think PH naturally drops at night as well as in enclosed rooms. Hence also why it is usually lower in the winter as windows are closed.

 

[GreshamH]

Respiration most likely is you cause with numbers like that

Do you run a CA reactor? They tend to push PH down, then add that on top of the nightly drop and it really sinks

 

[GreshamH]

[quote author=seminolecpa link=topic=5906.msg74445#msg74445 date=1231955422]
Think PH naturally drops at night as well as in enclosed rooms. Hence also why it is usually lower in the winter as windows are closed.
[/quote]

Yup, a product of photosynthesis Day climbs, night sinks.

 

[badbread]

No CA reactor, I've even been opening the windows and my back door when I'm at home (no matter how cold it is) in an attempt to get some fresh air into my apartment.

According to my logs my PH rises above 8 between 12:00 and 12:30 every day and quickly drops below 8 around 7:30-7:45.

So is this something to worry about or am I all worried about nothing?

 

[badbread]

Right, I understand the photosynthesis, and the CO2 stuff but don't I want it to swing somewhere above 8 and below 8.6?

 

[GreshamH]

8.4 is about as high as you want it. Calcification stops at just above 8.4 IIRC.

But yes, you want it in that range. That being said, my last system ran like yous and it seemed to be fine (coral grew some what)

 

[drdoolittle]

Your PH will drop at night and during the winter, when all the windows are close.

I read in RC thread a while back. Someone was having the same issue, she found out that evertime her furnace turns on, within a hour. Her ph drops. she solve it by opening the windows and letting fresh air into her place.

 

[drdoolittle]

Thanks for the offer Gresh, I'll PM you for the info.

 

[badbread]

Cool, thanks all!

Just reading reefkeeping magazine and here's a quote:

"It is this excess carbon dioxide that leads to most low pH problems for reef aquarists."


Hrm, maybe it's time for me to get some plants in my apartment?

 

[GreshamH]

[quote author=drdoolittle link=topic=5906.msg74456#msg74456 date=1231956806]
Your PH will drop at night and during the winter, when all the windows are close.

I read in RC thread a while back. Someone was having the same issue, she found out that evertime her furnace turns on, within a hour. Her ph drops. she solve it by opening the windows and letting fresh air into her place.


[/quote]
(worked on furnaces for several years)
I highly question that fact since all the burn vapors are not released into the house but rather taken up via the vent. If released into the house it can cause many problems, like death for instance. Forced air units release zero CO2 into the house as the fire source is separated from the air source. Wall heaters can release a little, but again, the vent takes most of that out via convection. Radiators release none, nor do electric heaters.