How much do you swing?

marie · #1 06-27-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

The best ones to answer this are your tank inhabitants. Are they fine, or are they looking stressed? Personally, I think pH was invented by retailers wanting to sell things to firstly measure it, then sell you stuff to stabilize it

Just don't have your pH display somehwere the fish can read it, and I'm sure you'll be fine.

I have to say I agree. I haven't had a problem with ph since I quit checking it over 2yrs ago

TrailFish · #2 06-27-2009, 03:29 PM

I think sudden swings in pH is what you really need to be concerned about. i.e. calcium reactor pumping excess CO2, or big dump of Kalk. Otherwise your slow pH change over the course of a day is fine. The amount of your "swing" may suggest a reduced buffering capacity of the water. You may want to have a look at your alkalinity just to be sure.

Delphinus · #3 06-27-2009, 04:07 PM

7.8 to 8.3 is 100% normal.

But +1 to all the comments. pH of tank water in reef tanks is nearly useless to track. It's a resultant value of other more meaningful numbers.

Useful to track in a calcium reactor though, since you want to add enough CO2 to drop the pH in the chambers to 6.7.

Myka · #4 06-27-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marie

I have to say I agree. I haven't had a problem with ph since I quit checking it over 2yrs ago

I agree. I don't test pH either.

Lance · #5 06-27-2009, 06:10 PM

I don't test pH on my 90 gal, but the 225g has the AC Jr. controller. (swing of 7.9 to 8.3). Since I put the refugium on a reverse photo period the pH only differs by .2

PoonTang · #6 06-27-2009, 06:16 PM

You can test this?

Snappy · #7 06-27-2009, 09:58 PM

My PH jumps from 79.8 in the morning to 8.4 just before lights out but for most of the photoperiod it sits around 8.3

pterfloth · #8 06-27-2009, 11:40 PM

Mine drops to 8.1 overnight and then climbs to 8.4 during the day. I have checked my calibration numerous times and maintain a steady temperature.

I have read that having a fuge with lighting on in reverse of the display tank can stabilize the pH. On the other hand, my SPS, LPS and fish are very happy and healthy. I've come to ingore pH and concentrate on alkalinity.

The only thing worse than having a pH meter is having 2 pH meters. They will never agree and can drive you batty.

Aquattro · #9 06-28-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pterfloth

The only thing worse than having a pH meter is having 2 pH meters. They will never agree and can drive you batty.

Oh god, I can't even imagine!!