I figured since reading more than a few times of reefers experiencing lower ph in the tank during winter months I would post this... Below I will give some people a few reasons that could be overlooking as the culprit....
Have you struggled with a lower than normal ph in your tank this winter ...It is always common to see ph swings on the low side in the winter..(due to closed windows trapping C/02 & also your heating system producing excess C/02. ) Mine shifts in the winter too...have any of you had this problem prior? (last few winter seasons) You may have had your reactor cranked up to high on the co/2 level & residual was getting into the system..(if your running a ca reator)
Something to also consider:
Decomposing organics can lower the ph level in your closed system which can cause an overall lower ph in the system..
This is why it is important to keep your water changes up & your feedings in small amounts ea time. (instead of dumping a whole load of food all at once..)What doesn't get eaten in the first min sits in the sandbed & rots..
So...
Coupled with the "sealed in" house effect in the winter can be like a double whammy with the ph declining due to decomposing organics..
Those of you who use ca reators:
Because of this it makes it so much more important that your effluent from your reactor be checked for the ph level. (cause now your throwing a third acidic measure into the mix to lower the ph even more)
Most conventional reactors don't need more than a ph of the effluent in the 7.0 range...Once you go below that you are just pumping residual c/02 into the tank lowering the ph..
FWIW:Secondary chambers help to aid in residual c/02 being pumped into the system. (if you want to be overkill & you have a large depletion of alk/kh & ca you can add a third chamber to allow you to crank up the effluent ph from.
1) the first chamber if you only have a single chamber
2) after the second chamber in a twin chamber unit.
The newer reverse flow reactors combat the residual c/02 excess by means of flow...
Dripping kalk when the lights go off is also another way to give the ph a boost..
Hope this can help those with low ph issues!!
B
Have you struggled with a lower than normal ph in your tank this winter ...It is always common to see ph swings on the low side in the winter..(due to closed windows trapping C/02 & also your heating system producing excess C/02. ) Mine shifts in the winter too...have any of you had this problem prior? (last few winter seasons) You may have had your reactor cranked up to high on the co/2 level & residual was getting into the system..(if your running a ca reator)
Something to also consider:
Decomposing organics can lower the ph level in your closed system which can cause an overall lower ph in the system..
This is why it is important to keep your water changes up & your feedings in small amounts ea time. (instead of dumping a whole load of food all at once..)What doesn't get eaten in the first min sits in the sandbed & rots..
So...
Coupled with the "sealed in" house effect in the winter can be like a double whammy with the ph declining due to decomposing organics..
Those of you who use ca reators:
Because of this it makes it so much more important that your effluent from your reactor be checked for the ph level. (cause now your throwing a third acidic measure into the mix to lower the ph even more)
Most conventional reactors don't need more than a ph of the effluent in the 7.0 range...Once you go below that you are just pumping residual c/02 into the tank lowering the ph..
FWIW:Secondary chambers help to aid in residual c/02 being pumped into the system. (if you want to be overkill & you have a large depletion of alk/kh & ca you can add a third chamber to allow you to crank up the effluent ph from.
1) the first chamber if you only have a single chamber
2) after the second chamber in a twin chamber unit.
The newer reverse flow reactors combat the residual c/02 excess by means of flow...
Dripping kalk when the lights go off is also another way to give the ph a boost..
Hope this can help those with low ph issues!!
B
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