View Full Version : Detritus and Ph
Psychographic
10/16/2009, 01:30 PM
I'm trying to help a friend diagnose a low Ph problem, He's tried just about everything to pinpoint the problem, fuge lighting, venting the skimmer to outside air, opening windows, pretty much everything you read about. He airated a bucket of tank water outside and the Ph went from 7.8 to 7.90 after an hour, after 2 hours it went to 7.91.
Now I know these levels are not that bad, but he told me it has on occasion dropped as low as 7.6.
His sump is in the basement and runs a higher Ph than the DT, if that gives anyone a clue.
I know from loooooong ago with FW tanks, detritus builup would sometimes drastically drop Ph levels and once the substrate was vacuumed and a WC, the Ph would bounce right back up.
I'm wondering if anyone thinks this could possibly be his problem. I asked if his SB was coarse enough to vacuum and I'm waiting to here back from him.
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/16/2009, 02:16 PM
I doubt the detritus is much of a pH issue. Probably just elevated home CO2 levels. :)
bertoni
10/16/2009, 05:43 PM
I agree that most often the issue is indoor carbon dioxide levels. I'd try aerating a cup of water outside for longer. If the alkalinity is okay, the pH should be better than 7.9. Maybe there's an accuracy issue.
NexDog
10/17/2009, 09:46 AM
My closed tank room gave my tank low PH before I added an extractor fan. It was always 7.8. Added extractor fan and now it's always 8.1. And my system has chronic low alk (no Reactor, no additives).
gonzapa
10/17/2009, 07:46 PM
I am the friend with the low PH. Is there an easy measurable way to measure carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the air so before I go putting an air exchange system I can make sure that is the problem?
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/18/2009, 07:10 AM
Yes. Check this article for the aeration tests:
Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm
gonzapa
10/25/2009, 04:56 PM
I bought a 50 cfm bathroom fan and used to bring air in from the outside ( room is 10X10) After running it for 5 days PH on the tank raised 0.1.
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/25/2009, 05:12 PM
Sounds good. :)
gonzapa
10/27/2009, 05:25 PM
As of today
MG 1420
CA 430
Alk 8.3 dkh
PH for the day
http://www.reefzedge.com/download/file.php?id=395
I think that I am still too low for where I need to be. Balance is only a temporary fix. Air into the room does not seem to be making a difference. It has to be something in that tank that is not working
GeoffM1968
10/27/2009, 07:12 PM
It is amazing what room CO2 does and impact we have on it. I am around 7.8 to 8.1 using Kalk ATO. Went on vacation last week taking the whole family. After two days, tank was constant 8.3 to 8.4. Return home and after 24 hours back at 7.8 to 8.1.
Randy Holmes-Farley
10/28/2009, 05:10 AM
It has to be something in that tank that is not working
pH in seawater is ONLY controlled by CO2 and alkalinity.
Try the aeration tests I detail here:
Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm
gonzapa
11/20/2009, 03:29 PM
I got a kalk reactor and it is now keeping things in check
Ph fluctuatesd from 7.9 to 8.1
Randy Holmes-Farley
11/20/2009, 03:36 PM
Sounds good!
Happy Reefing. :)
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