PH jumping

Fish Ace · 01/21/2010, 05:36 AM

My tank is a 125 setup about 2 weeks ago LR no fish. Added a APEX ph probe 3 days ago and notice the ph jumping up and down from 7.87 to 8.14. Would we say this can be expected from a new tank or should I'd be looking to correct it. I'd like to take it slow, no fish for another 4-6 weeks.

patsfan1130 · 01/21/2010, 05:41 AM

That's seems like a mighty big swing. Is the probe properly calibrated? Are you currently using any additives?

Fish Ace · 01/21/2010, 05:53 AM

The probe was calibrated and no additives.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/21/2010, 06:15 AM

When you say jump, you mean second to second, or day to night?

Some meters, like the Pinpoint, suffer from interference from lighting ballasts.

Try measuring on a battery (if it has one) and/or in a cup of water away from the tank.

Fish Ace · 01/21/2010, 06:24 AM

Over a 24 hrs. I can't get into my apex status right now for some reason or I would of posted the stats. I was thinking the tank has temporay glass tops, I just wonder.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/21/2010, 07:53 AM

OK, it is certainly normal for ph to vary substantially day to night. From no change to up to 0.5 pH units. More aeration will limit and even prevent the swing, but most tanks have it and it is not a concern unless the ends of the limits fall outside of acceptable limits (such as about 7.8 to 8.5).

01/21/2010, 05:36 AM	#1
Fish Ace Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 302	PH jumping My tank is a 125 setup about 2 weeks ago LR no fish. Added a APEX ph probe 3 days ago and notice the ph jumping up and down from 7.87 to 8.14. Would we say this can be expected from a new tank or should I'd be looking to correct it. I'd like to take it slow, no fish for another 4-6 weeks.

01/21/2010, 05:41 AM	#2
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 1,787	That's seems like a mighty big swing. Is the probe properly calibrated? Are you currently using any additives? __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef

01/21/2010, 06:15 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	When you say jump, you mean second to second, or day to night? Some meters, like the Pinpoint, suffer from interference from lighting ballasts. Try measuring on a battery (if it has one) and/or in a cup of water away from the tank. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/21/2010, 07:53 AM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	OK, it is certainly normal for ph to vary substantially day to night. From no change to up to 0.5 pH units. More aeration will limit and even prevent the swing, but most tanks have it and it is not a concern unless the ends of the limits fall outside of acceptable limits (such as about 7.8 to 8.5). __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/21/2010, 05:53 AM	#3
Fish Ace Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 302	The probe was calibrated and no additives.

01/21/2010, 06:24 AM	#5
Fish Ace Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 302	Over a 24 hrs. I can't get into my apex status right now for some reason or I would of posted the stats. I was thinking the tank has temporay glass tops, I just wonder.