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| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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07-03-2009, 09:34 PM
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#1
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,384
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Can't figure out why my tank has low PH.
My PH has been dropping to around 7.5 lately. My parameters seem in order.
Salinity 1.025
Calcium 390 I bumped it up a little.
Alk 9.0
I haven't changed anything. I do have a calcium reactor running but nothing out of the ordinary. I have always has lower ph like 8.0 but never this low. I have a shallow sand bed. Any ideas on what I should be checking? I tried to seach for low PH but the search came up with nothing.
Btw. PH probe was recently calibrated because I was having the slightly low PH problem and wanted to make sure it was right.
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07-03-2009, 11:33 PM
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#2
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Keeper of the Reef
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 4,165
Reviews: 105
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I few things off this top of my head would be....
House closed up tight with last weeks head and excess CO2 in the house.
Inadequate aeration in the tank (not degassing)
__________________
They call me Chris  I play with water and electricty
125g SPS tank 200g total volume: E.T.S.S. 600: Barracuda: OM 4-Way: 3x 250W 14K:
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07-04-2009, 12:27 AM
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#3
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,384
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I have lots of surface agitation and my skimmer is going so that should be a problem. I have a ventilation system to bring cooler air and push out the warmer air. The house windows have been open the last few days. I'm gonna leave the doors open in the fish room tonight to see if that helps at all.
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07-04-2009, 09:22 AM
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#4
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Shark
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 20 minutes North of Cheese Steaks and Pretzels
Posts: 2,966
Reviews: 21
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When was the last WC ?
Have you blasted and siphoned all the debris out of the tank ?
What is the PH of the incoming water ?
Great looking tank  |
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07-04-2009, 09:48 AM
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#5
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They call me EC
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lakeland Florida
Posts: 3,508
Reviews: 3
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What is the nitrate level?
Do you degas/aerate the discharge water from the reactor before it enters the tank?
__________________
"Research and setup a solid tank"CRVZ
"my arch nemesis EC is warping your minds." Geoff 
Buy only AUSSIE Elegance corals.
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07-04-2009, 02:52 PM
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#6
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,384
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I have never degassed the the discharge from the reactor. I left the window in the fish room open last night and it didn't really help. I am kind of wondering if the probe did go bad. I need to order some more calibration solution to see. My last water change was 3 weeks ago. I was going to do a small waterchange today or tomorrow because I am going to clean out my right side of my sump really well. I did the left side last time.
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07-04-2009, 03:17 PM
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#7
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Keeper of the Reef
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 4,165
Reviews: 105
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There is a borax solution you can use to check a ph probe but I'm not sure what it is....
Too bad your not closer, I have a spare probe and 5 packs each of PH 10,7 and 4
__________________
They call me Chris I play with water and electricty
125g SPS tank 200g total volume: E.T.S.S. 600: Barracuda: OM 4-Way: 3x 250W 14K:
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07-04-2009, 03:42 PM
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#8
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,384
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I have borax but I don't know the solution either. TDWYATT does. I might do a search. Nitrates and Nitrites just came up zero.
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07-04-2009, 04:28 PM
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#9
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,384
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I just did the borax test. It came out at 8.54 when it should have read 9.19. Guess the probe took a turn for the worst.
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07-04-2009, 04:41 PM
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#10
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Carpe Noctem
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 8,033
Reviews: 25
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Well I was going to suggest not panicking until you calibrated your probe... But I think you found ye' problem |
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07-04-2009, 07:10 PM
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#11
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Keeper of the Reef
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 4,165
Reviews: 105
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That means your 7.5 reading is actually 8.15! GREAT!!!
I have trouble keeping mine above 8.0 but at lease it is VERY stable...
__________________
They call me Chris I play with water and electricty
125g SPS tank 200g total volume: E.T.S.S. 600: Barracuda: OM 4-Way: 3x 250W 14K:
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07-05-2009, 06:38 PM
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#12
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,384
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I would have calibrated it again but I don't have any more solution. I forgot to order some last time I ordered from Premium Aquatics. Now I have to buy something else so I don't pay $7 shipping on $1 items.
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07-05-2009, 09:22 PM
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#13
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Gone Snorkeling...
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Greenville,SC
Posts: 8,313
Reviews: 52
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calibrate the probe to the 9.19 reading of the borax for the time being, it will get you by until you get some more solution. Also, I think Miluakee (or however you spell it..i think...can't remember) offers some other pH numbers for testing of other common household items on their site.. it think, there are several items you can use as calibration solutions...a Coke, some vinegar...yada yada yada
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My 135RR Tank build
Upstate SC Reefers Unite!! Join the PMAC!
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
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07-05-2009, 10:50 PM
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#14
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Sanford, north carolina
Posts: 675
Reviews: 28
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I don't know i have never had low pH before. When i do my weekly water changes i have to add pH buffer 8.2-8.3 to my RO water b/c it's too low and that seems to work every time. good luck!!!
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07-06-2009, 07:35 PM
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#15
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,384
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fat Tony
I think Miluakee (or however you spell it..i think...can't remember) offers some other pH numbers for testing of other common household items on their site.. it think, there are several items you can use as calibration solutions...a Coke, some vinegar...yada yada yada
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I looked and unless I'm blind I couldn't find anything. Thanks for the help though.
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