PH Swing

[mksalt]

I've been paying more attention to my PH these days in my BC29.

What do you feel is an acceptable PH swing in a 24 hour period?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[bertoni]

As long as the pH stays in the range 7.8 to 8.5, I suspect the tank will be fine. What animals are in the system?

[mksalt]

Surprising. I would have thought the smaller the swing the better. So as long I stay in range, swing is not an issue.

Tank is packed pretty heavily, I have a little of everything in there.

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8269/img0696gh9.jpg

[bertoni]

Looks very nice! :)

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Surprising. I would have thought the smaller the swing the better. So as long I stay in range, swing is not an issue.

That's my opinion. The internal pH of organisms is controlled incredibly tightly, so that they do not really change as the pH changes around them. As long as their mechanisms of control can deal with it, it is OK, IMO.

[mksalt]

Thanks guys.

My PH swings from about 7.71 to 8.01. Seems a little low.

I just got a controller so this has brought my attention to PH. Before this, my eye was only on Alk and CA. I think maybe I'll just go back to my constant work to keep my Alk & CA up and let the PH do what it wants. The Alk usually reads around 2.5. 3.0 on a good day. CA comes in around 410. But I'm dosing a two part about 4 to 5 days a week to do it.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, I agree that low end is too low to be optimal, IMO, assuming it is accurate. Have you recently calibrated the meter?

If that is accurate, I think that more aeration with fresh air, or limewater are good options, as detailed in this article:


Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm