Higher pH because of decreased flow?

[FrugalReefer]

Today I saw that my pH reached a new high of 8.4. For the longest time my daytime pH was maxing out at 8.2 and sometimes 8.3. The only thing that has changed in my SPS dominant tank is that I decreased the flow a little bit because I was thinking that my LPS on the sand bed (Hammers, Favias, Lobo) and my Softies (GSP, Mushrooms) haven’t been enjoying the high flow all this time. Could the higher pH be the result of said corals being happier, photosynthesizing ‘better’, for lack of a better word and producing more oxygen?

 

[blaxsun]

Has the weather improved at all? I'd be inclined to attribute it more to better air circulation. In any event, nice pH!

 

[FrugalReefer]

Has the weather improved at all? I'd be inclined to attribute it more to better air circulation. In any event, nice pH!

Thanks. The only change with the weather here in San Diego is it’s gotten a little warmer. I can’t see better air circulation being the reason. We crack open the same windows everyday and the same people and animals (cats) are here everyday. In any event, hoping this isn’t a one day fluke and that I see 8.4 or even 8.5 a lot in the future.

 

[Garf]

Today I saw that my pH reached a new high of 8.4. For the longest time my daytime pH was maxing out at 8.2 and sometimes 8.3. The only thing that has changed in my SPS dominant tank is that I decreased the flow a little bit because I was thinking that my LPS on the sand bed (Hammers, Favias, Lobo) and my Softies (GSP, Mushrooms) haven’t been enjoying the high flow all this time. Could the higher pH be the result of said corals being happier, photosynthesizing ‘better’, for lack of a better word and producing more oxygen?

Perhaps you are not dragging in as much indoor air CO2 to the tank.

 

[Justdrew]

Perhaps you are not dragging in as much indoor air CO2 to the tank.

That is exactly what happens on my tank. If I want to increase the pH I turn off my skimmer.

 

[FrugalReefer]

Perhaps you are not dragging in as much indoor air CO2 to the tank.

My skimmer runs 24/7

 

[Garf]

My skimmer runs 24/7

You got an emergency drain?

 

[FrugalReefer]

You got an emergency drain?

Yes

 

[Garf]

Yes

That can affect it, as can ventilating the sump, increasing airflow over the tank, increased algal growth, so many things. Are your high flow corals still getting enough flow?

 

[FrugalReefer]

That can affect it, as can ventilating the sump, increasing airflow over the tank, increased algal growth, so many things. Are your high flow corals still getting enough flow?

I believe they are.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree that reduced aeration can raise pH in a high CO2 home air scenario.