I just can't get it up!

[Reefmaster]

my pH that is!!! thanks, i'm sure one smartass muttered viagra at his/her monitor.

recent tests
effluent 60ml/min pH 6.55
tank alk 4.4 meql
but tank pH is still sitting at 7.8 ish. i'll watch if for another week and see if the pH starts to climb, but if not, anybody have any thoughts on this??

thanks to those who helped already with this reactor. shane

[titus]

Hello Shane,

Very funny. Did all these happened after you started to use the reactor? Have you done water changes?

[Bryan]

How is your skimmer. If it can't keep up or requires maintenance, or is inefficient dissolved organics are going to build up and drive the PH down. When using a calcium reactor the drop in PH is exaggerated.

[Reefmaster]

titus ya it followed the startup of the reactor. h20 changes 15g every two weeks (total system volume 200g).
bryan, i wondered that because i'm only using a turboflotor 1000. but the ORP from my aquacontroller is sitting at 440 to 460 so i've more or less elliminated that variable. unless someone knows that ORP isn't a good indicator...
shane

[titus]

Hello Bryan,

I'd never run a 200g with a Turboflotor. My experience without a skimmer is that hair algae comes and pH do drop. How do I know? I have been running skimmerless for quite a few good months because my skimmer pump failed. The Ampmaster is arriving soon but I still have to find time to rig it up.

The ORP value doesn't mean anything. It's the actual change of ORP that gives you clue. For example, your ORP maybe high but it's not just skimmer that determines that value. I'd think if you use a really awesome skimmer your ORP would actually change to a different reference value.

[SuperFudge]

Hiya Shane,

If all is looking well,i wouldnt even worry too much at all.....im sure your corals and fish havent read that book yet ;) .

I think maybe between test kit regeants and time of day you are testing is all the difference.
Mornings will always show a lower PH than the evening.

Marc.

[Jack]

Just a quick question, sorry guys, what is ORP?

[Reefmaster]

well actually mark, i made the mistake of leaving the book on the coffee table in front of the tank on the page about pH and when i got home, the fish were all laying on their sides on the bottom and the corals were all sliming. not sure which one of the little buggers has been taking reading lessons!
thanks though. things do look great so will keep playing with it a little at a time. its a digital pH probe i'm using and have checked the calibration recently too.

[Aquattro]

Originally posted by Jack:
Just a quick question, sorry guys, what is ORP?<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Jack, it means Oxidation Reduction Potential, sometimes called "redox".
Basically measures the potential for transferring electrons between compounds.

[titus]

Hello Shane,

Well it does look like you are doing periodic water changes. My initial reaction is under sized skimmer. However, until you've actually run a good one we'll never know. Like I've probably said, my tank is also suffering a pH drop because of the lack of skimmer. But so far the tank occupants are doing just as great and corals have been growing. So I'm not worry about it.

Actually you know what? Go get a big airpump and a some good lime wood airstones. Pump some air into the system (ie sump) and see what happens to both the pH and ORP.

[reefburnaby]

Hi,

Take a cup of tank water and let it settle overnight in a seperate container. Then measure pH of the settle water....and get back to us with that number.

- Victor.

[Reefmaster]

titus
ya i'm trying a 20cfm i think it is with a glass stone - no difference yet.
victor
will do this tonight. i sure hope you aren't onto something here - the gas suppliers will think i'm certifiable if i tell em i need medical grade o2 for my fish and corals who can read...

[ 01 April 2002, 20:25: Message edited by: Reefmaster ]