How important is monitoring pH?

[Schraufabagel]

I don’t currently monitor pH. How important is it to monitor pH? I use GFO which I’ve heard can affect it.

Looking to hear thoughts on what you do and if you think there’s any value to monitoring or testing it

 

[mdb_talon]

Will get varied opinions on this. I monitor it for a few couple reasons. One is i use a calc reactor and i consider it a requirement in that scenario to identify if it has an issue.

Even without it though i like to make sure ph stays above a certain range(no lower than 7.8 at lowpoint). In my case i fall below that in the winter without my use of skimmer to an outside airline.

 

[90's reefer]

I check maybe every 2-3 weeks if I remember.
Mine stays 7.9-8.1 even with running a carx.

 

[arking_mark]

Aquarium pH Distilled

I just wanted to share my understanding of reef pH which is mostly based on: Low pH: Causes and Cures by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com Many would agree that reef tanks can be successful with pH between 7.8 – 8.5 NBS and daily swings as great as 0.5 NBS. Natural pH levels in our ocean...

www.reef2reef.com

Yes there is some value in measuring/monitoring pH, especially if your dosing high-pH impact stuff such as Kalkwasser and/or using a CaCO3 reactor which may take you out of the acceptable range of 7.8-8.6.

Otherwise, if your tank is well aerated and house CO2 is in normal ranges your tank pH will be in an acceptable range.

pH cup aeration tests can be used to identify aeration issues.

It's been shown that higher pH can grow some corals faster.

Chasing pH can be done...

Tuning a Skimmer / CO2 Scrubber for pH Control

On my reefing journey, I found Kalkwasse + Skimmer + CO2 Scrubber to be very effective for bringing my pH from 7.8 - 7.9 to 8.26 - 8.36. I guess most people would just leave it at that. However, I wanted to be more efficient with the CO2 scrubbing material so I wanted to implement a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Miami Reef]

If your PH stays around 7.8-8.3 you do not need to constantly monitor it.

Some people like to keep their PH at 8.1-8.3 because it’s proven to improve the rate of calcification (thus, faster growth rate).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The GFO is not an issue for pH.

pH is not any sort of make or break measurement, but keeping pH up can increase hard coral growth rates.

 

[Schraufabagel]

The GFO is not an issue for pH.

pH is not any sort of make or break measurement, but keeping pH up can increase hard coral growth rates.

What are methods for raising and holding pH in that beneficial 8.1 - 8.3 range?

 

[homer1475]

KALK, Co2 scrubbers, airline going outside that your skimmer pulls from, dosing soda ash, or Randys new DIY 2 part that uses lye.

All will help in keeping up, and maintaining PH.

 

[The JLP Experience]

What are methods for raising and holding pH in that beneficial 8.1 - 8.3 range?

This article was actually published on 10/16 discussing this topic! The discussion was the most helpful to me.

Intermediate Topic - The Secret of Higher pH

Introduction There are tons of great resources that talk about the benefits of higher pH on coral growth but many of them merely use anecdotal evidence from their own tanks, and while this is great there are tons of variables on our own reef...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Schraufabagel]

If auto dosing alk, should I monitor pH? As a way to make sure the doser gets stuck on. Im not sure how often that happens

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If auto dosing alk, should I monitor pH? As a way to make sure the doser gets stuck on. Im not sure how often that happens

Yes, that can be a useful way to monitor overdosing.

 

[FishyFishFish]

I am trying to decide on a Hydros controller.

One has a monitor for PH and 2 extra sense ports (and is more expensive) and the other has 4 sense ports but no PH monitor.


Do you think it is worth getting the one that constantly monitors PH, or would a simple test kit suffice? Is constantly monitored PH something that I should really be concerned about?

 

[90's reefer]

7.9-8,1 when I remember to check it. Honestly I check it every couple months.

 

[arking_mark]

I am trying to decide on a Hydros controller.

One has a monitor for PH and 2 extra sense ports (and is more expensive) and the other has 4 sense ports but no PH monitor.


Do you think it is worth getting the one that constantly monitors PH, or would a simple test kit suffice? Is constantly monitored PH something that I should really be concerned about?

You usually want to monitor pH if you are dosing a high-pH or low-pH additive to ensure you don't overdose your tank one way or the other.

I'm using a pH monitor to tightly control my pH. However, other than some increased stability it's not something the hobby has identified as truly beneficial.

 

[Nerdist Aquarist]

pH was something I never worried about until I actively tried to raise it. I'm dosing sodium hydroxide for my alkalinity, and got up to 8.55 pH before I decided to target a lower alk level of 8.5 instead of my usual 9.0