PH Swing

Matt_b · 09-07-2006, 01:35 PM

Yesterday i added a phosphate filter to my tank and now my ph has changed, heres a readout from the last 7 days

Its dropped from a normal swing of 8.02 - 8.37, also noticed only half my button polyps have opened today

is the change in PH guilty of this?
I gave the media a good rinse in Ro before i added the filter and their was no clouding of the tank when the pump was switched on.

Is this normal when adding a phos reactor ? I'm a bit worried

Matt

Fly Guy · 09-07-2006, 01:39 PM

I havent ever noticed it but i dont pay that close of attention. My ph is always 7.9 - 8.2 swinging between the two daily. (monitor). If 7.9 is your low i surely wouldnt worry about it. I used to have less of a swing when i ran macro and a light in my sump, but i dont anymore.

Matt_b · 09-07-2006, 01:45 PM

Thanks flyguy, my only worry is my polyps look grey, only 50% have opened

I've never seen them looking like this, they always open 100%

Wiskey · 09-07-2006, 02:42 PM

Maybe just reacting to the change, I really wouldn't worry about unitl you see them not open for a few days.

HTH,
Whiskey

Wiskey · 09-07-2006, 02:43 PM

P.S. What kind of media did you use in it?

Whiskey

Matt_b · 09-07-2006, 03:08 PM

The media is called Aqua medic Antiphos, was supplied with the filter. Sounds like antiphos FE is better? maybe i'll change asap

Wiskey · 09-07-2006, 03:30 PM

I don't know what that one is made of, but from the sound of it the Antiphos FE is better. There are two kinds of Phosphate binders, one based in AL (I would never put this in my tank) and one based on Iron (FE). I don't really like either, but I would much rather use the Iron based one then the AL.

HTH,
Whiskey

Matt_b · 09-07-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiskey

I don't know what that one is made of, but from the sound of it the Antiphos FE is better. There are two kinds of Phosphate binders, one based in AL (I would never put this in my tank) and one based on Iron (FE). I don't really like either, but I would much rather use the Iron based one then the AL.

HTH,
Whiskey

After reading your reply i've realised that the phos. remover i've been using in a bag has been the iron based(FE) the filter was supplied with AL( i think?)

You say you'd not use either, what other options are there?

Wiskey · 09-07-2006, 06:33 PM

The other option is simply keeping the tank clean, big skimmer, skim wet, syphon the sand with water changes etc,....

I have heard of bad reactions from SPS to even the good kind.

I say just give your zoos some time, I think they will open back up.

Whiskey

ILLBKING · 09-07-2006, 06:36 PM

For what its worth, I use Phosgaurd and every time I change it, mine do the same thing. The Phosguard says that "Some Coral may be sensative to the dust". I rinse mine in RO/DI for 15 min every time, but every time there is the same reaction. They are fine after a couple of days.

Matt_b · 09-07-2006, 06:44 PM

The only reason i added the filter is a have to clean my glass every other day, I cannot detect PO4 with salifert yet i have algae probs, I Wc 10% weekly syphoning the little builldup of detritus on the way!
Seems i'm the only one who needs to clean the glass every other day with 1 year old water

Wiskey · 09-07-2006, 07:07 PM

Crank your skimmer up! What's your skimmer's flow through rate? What's your overflow rate? What kind of algae do you get on the glass? How big is your tank? What kind of skimmer? How much skimate do you get per day? What color? How much do you feed? What do you feed? What is your fish load?

Wow that's allot of questions,
Whiskey

Geoff · 09-07-2006, 11:11 PM

i agree with the crank that skimmer up.

are you trying to make your tank more complicated than it needs to be?

G~