pH Control

[SuperDave]

This question is for those of you who use a pH Controller and a Calcium reactor.

Do you use the pH controller to cycle the CO2 going into the reactor? Or do you keep the CO2 in the reactor constant and add more CO2 into the tank via diffuser when the controller calls for it?

[scuba_steveo]

My controller turns off the CO2 when the PH is below 8.0

[RobertG]

I use mine to control the effluent of the reactor. My set ph is 6.7. I have contact with about 15lbs of media. My tank stays at about 8.2-8.3 ph.

HTH

[scuba_steveo]

I can not get mine to stay up that high. I think I am going to add a kalk reactor to help.

[matt]

Steve;

I think you'll find that if your reactor is set right (you have one of mine) your tank ph should stay really solid above 8.0-maybe 7.9 depending on your bioload and lght cycle. Ironically, the reactor ph needs to be low enough to ensure that you're sending high dkh effluent into the tank. Go for a slower flow of effluent that's at a lower ph rather than the reverse. The way I used to set my reactor was by measuring the effluent dkh, not ph so much, although I kept an eye on the effluent ph. Shoot for effluent dkh of around 25-30. With your reactor this will probably be a ph of around 6.7. If you cut off the CO2 to raise the effluent ph, (say to 6.85-6.9) you'll also be lowering the effluent dkh, which tends to allow the tank ph to depress. Another trick is to drip the effluent into the sump near the skimmer input, which draws the effluent into the skimmer, making sure it's fully oxygenated before getting to the general flow of the main tank.

Another point to remember is that a ph of 7.9 or so is not a problem in and of itself; most people who run a low ph are doing so due to other issues in the tank; high DOM, low ORP, not enough gas exchange, whatever. So a low ph can be an indicator of other problems, but by itself it won't hurt your tank at all. In fact, a slightly higher CO2 content in the water can help coral calcification.

BTW, I'm assuming your controller is reading the tank ph, not the reactor ph. A reactor ph of 8.0 is way too high.

[SuperDave]

Thanks

[wkopplin]

I never turn off the CO2 to the reactor. I keep it going all the time. One cool thing I have noticed is ever since switching to a reverse photoperiod on the reef tank in the fish room and the main reef tank, my pH has been very stable. I have a computer setup next to the reef that can graph the pH throughout the day and it stays within a very narrow range of 8.2 to 8.3.

Hey Matt, how are things in W. VA?

[matt]

Great so far, although I miss having a tank and I miss building stuff. And, I miss good mexican food, you wouldn't believe what passes for a taco up here. Every time I hear a helicopter (which is often considering this is a pretty small town) I look up and hope that someone has airlifted a take out order from Taco Haven to me.

But the job is great and the weather is really great...

[GaryP]

Great Weather? Wait until Jan. Do you own a snow shovel. I know you 09'ers all have one. I bet you'll be finding a place to buy Dow Flake too.

Gary

[matt]

What's wrong with a little snow? Better than running from air-conditioned house to air-conditioned car to air-conditioned office 8 months of the year. (ok, slight exaggeration)

Okay, this thread has been officially hijacked-sorry!

[RobertG]

Dang hijackers , get out of here. Make your own thread.:skeezy: LOL Hope all is well Matt.

[JimD]

"you wouldn't believe what passes for a taco up here"
LOL! For some reason, I find that strangely hillarious!!!

[SuperDave]

I wouldn't touch that one on a dare.