Ph cause burnt tips?

Ucantwin · 11/18/2017, 02:36 PM

I am curious if a rise in ph can cause burnt tips on sps. My ph generally runs on the low end of 7.7 lights out to 7.9-8 when lights on. I have noticed though anytime it gets cool outside and I open the windows in my home I get burnt tips on my sps. It's like clockwork, open the windows and day or two later I notice the burnt tips.

My ph doesn't spike that high, maybe .2 rise above what it normally runs but wondering if this spike is what causes it. Does this make any sense and is this possible. I usually run my alk between 8.5 and 9.

bertoni · 11/18/2017, 07:25 PM

I don't think that pH at 8.0 or so would cause problems. A change in lighting might be able to do that, though. I'd guess the issue is the extra light.

Ucantwin · 11/18/2017, 07:57 PM

I am not understanding what you mean by extra light. When I open the windows the light doesn't shine on the tank. I do not think a ph of 8 will cause bunt tips, I am wondering if a spike over a day to 8.2 from my usual 8 will cause issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

I don't think that pH at 8.0 or so would cause problems. A change in lighting might be able to do that, though. I'd guess the issue is the extra light.

Daddi0 · 11/18/2017, 08:28 PM

Can you run the airline from the skimmer through the wall to outside so that the reef always gets the same amount of oxygen/co2 ? Here is a great article on PHhttp://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

Ucantwin · 11/18/2017, 08:55 PM

Thanks for that advice Daddio but I currently do that, it doesn't help that much. I am not too worried about my current ph value, I am talking about the sudden rise in ph that goes beyond my normal level.

bertoni · 11/18/2017, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ucantwin

I am not understanding what you mean by extra light. When I open the windows the light doesn't shine on the tank. I do not think a ph of 8 will cause bunt tips, I am wondering if a spike over a day to 8.2 from my usual 8 will cause issues.

pH at 8.2 is still a bit below or at the average ocean level. I don't think it should be harmful. I suspect that the pH is higher because of increased photosynthesis from more light, but I don't know much about how this room is illuminated by the sun.

Ucantwin · 11/18/2017, 10:51 PM

I have high co2 levels in my home due to being sealed up. The ph went higher when I opened the windows to let fresh air in,reducing my co2 levels. Through gas exchange in my tank it also raised my tank ph beyond what it normally runs. Adding a co2 scrubber, a line from your skimmer to fresh air or opening my windows allows gas exchange with less co2 saturated air, raising ph.

I understand a ph of 8.2 is still not high enough to cause issues. I believe my issue is my tank always hits a max of 8 during peak light hours. The few times a year I open the windows in my house my tanks ph will go up to 8.2 that day. With the ph going to 8.2, which is not normal for my tank, causing issues because it is out side of my tanks norm.

I don't think it has anything to do with lights. Especially since opening a window doesn't allow more light in, just air.

mcgyvr · 11/19/2017, 06:18 AM

Try to keep your alk around 7.5-8 and see if the problem goes away..
Some people have reported that with very low nitrate/phosphate levels (ULNS) when their alk was around 9 or so that they were getting burnt tips..

11/18/2017, 02:36 PM	#1
Ucantwin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: some where Posts: 559	Ph cause burnt tips? I am curious if a rise in ph can cause burnt tips on sps. My ph generally runs on the low end of 7.7 lights out to 7.9-8 when lights on. I have noticed though anytime it gets cool outside and I open the windows in my home I get burnt tips on my sps. It's like clockwork, open the windows and day or two later I notice the burnt tips. My ph doesn't spike that high, maybe .2 rise above what it normally runs but wondering if this spike is what causes it. Does this make any sense and is this possible. I usually run my alk between 8.5 and 9.

11/18/2017, 07:25 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't think that pH at 8.0 or so would cause problems. A change in lighting might be able to do that, though. I'd guess the issue is the extra light. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/18/2017, 08:55 PM	#5
Ucantwin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: some where Posts: 559	Thanks for that advice Daddio but I currently do that, it doesn't help that much. I am not too worried about my current ph value, I am talking about the sudden rise in ph that goes beyond my normal level. Last edited by Ucantwin; 11/18/2017 at 09:03 PM.

11/19/2017, 06:18 AM	#8
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Try to keep your alk around 7.5-8 and see if the problem goes away.. Some people have reported that with very low nitrate/phosphate levels (ULNS) when their alk was around 9 or so that they were getting burnt tips.. __________________ Who me?

11/18/2017, 08:28 PM	#4
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	Can you run the airline from the skimmer through the wall to outside so that the reef always gets the same amount of oxygen/co2 ? Here is a great article on PHhttp://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

11/18/2017, 10:51 PM	#7
Ucantwin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: some where Posts: 559	I have high co2 levels in my home due to being sealed up. The ph went higher when I opened the windows to let fresh air in,reducing my co2 levels. Through gas exchange in my tank it also raised my tank ph beyond what it normally runs. Adding a co2 scrubber, a line from your skimmer to fresh air or opening my windows allows gas exchange with less co2 saturated air, raising ph. I understand a ph of 8.2 is still not high enough to cause issues. I believe my issue is my tank always hits a max of 8 during peak light hours. The few times a year I open the windows in my house my tanks ph will go up to 8.2 that day. With the ph going to 8.2, which is not normal for my tank, causing issues because it is out side of my tanks norm. I don't think it has anything to do with lights. Especially since opening a window doesn't allow more light in, just air.