ph problem....

[vincekim]

Hi~ guys~~

I'm writing to question in this board for the first time.
I'm not good at English very well.I am sure you guys understad
that. Hmm~ very nervous........

My tanks PH level was 8.2~8.0.
Since a week, I have given kalkbasser becase of many benefits
(additional Ca, PH stability etc...)
Soon the level increased 8.4~8.2
so I thought "oh~ it's cool...."

But from the day before, the level is strange afer giving kalk

My tank
KH : 11dkh, ca : 400 NO3 : 20 and my tank is 30gallon.

I gave kalk all day long. becase my ph level have never been increased above 8.4 by day


1. By day, ph level decreased 7.6~7.8 and in ph monitor,
it changed rapidly between 7.8 and 7.6 it was very instable.
2. when I came back home, I gave buffer,and then the level
was 7.8~7.9(about 7 PM)
3. when the lights' off(11PM), Since then the level was 8.3~8.4
So weird!!!
4. In the morning(7 AM), the level was 8.1

this state was repeated everyday....
Basically. is it normal that ph of the day is higher than the night??

I thought that problem (no 3) happened because I gave buffer
at 7 PM,So I gave it in the morning, but the result was same
(day : 7.8 night 8.27)

My tank has many diatoms and others...
Why does this problem happen? very strange....
The corals and fishes have no problem yet....
but not sure...

Because of my bad English, I'm not sure you understand my problem

would you help me?? Please....

Have a good day ~~~

 

[Bodine]

vincekim
Your English is excellent.

ph swing between night and day ais normal.

Mine varies between as 7.9 to 8.3.
If everything looks good why worry.

You tank is small and ph can be vary a lot with the addition of a gallon of kalk.

I would not get caught in the perfect numbers trap.
More damage can be done by dosing and testing in trying to get perfect numbers than less that perfect ph readings.
Be careful with all the buffers and such.

 

[TooBad]

I agree it will vary between day and night. However, isn't the daytime reading higher than at night? I thought it was due to the respiration of the macro algae.

 

[Bodine]

I believe he said ph is high at night but this is when lights are still on at 11PM. (Actually day to his tank but night by the clock)

This should be the highest reading, right before lights out.

I assume he takes a reading in morning (day) when lights are just coming on and ph is lowest.
Perhaps vincekim should clarify when readings are taken in relation to photo-period.

Maybe its confusion between day/night with the clock and day/night to the tank. This is how I read it.

[ October 07, 2001: Message edited by: Bodine ]

 

[vincekim]

thak you all..
I appreciated that....

but
until 11 PM , level is 7.8
when light is off, suddenly level increases.
at 11:30~ 12:00 , the level is 8.3~8.4

very weird...

 

[Henry1]

Vincekim,

Are you using a pH meter to take your readings?
If yes, does the pH meter share the same electrical power supply as your other aquarium equipment e.g. lightings, pumps, chiller etc, etc?

If yes, I suspect there is a high possibility of unstable electrical power supply.

What happen here is, when your lightings are on, a create a significant drain of current so much so that your pH meter become 'under powered', therefore, the lower reading.

When the lights goes out, the pH meter is sufficiently powered, thereby giving you a higher reading. I've got the same experience with my analog pH meter when a powerhead switches on and off.
(I am not an electrical engineer. I am trying to explain in layman term.
Could any electrical engineer help to clarify this.)

You can do a simple check by setting up your pH meter, take the reading, then turn off your lights and watch the reading change in almost immediately, then turn them on again and see it return to previous.

In any case, I wouldn't be too worried as your pH is well within the range of natural seawater. Just watch the fish & corals in it. If they are eating and showing happily, then you know you have things in check.

Happy Reefing

 

[jdeets]

Yes, vincekim, I'd suspect electrical interference with the pH meter from the lights. Try doing a pH test with a standard test kit and see what your readings are. Your pH may not be fluctuating much at all.

 

[vincekim]

thank you very much~~~

I appreciate your kindness~~~