Keeping ph up during winter

[tubsy3]

I was just wondering how you guys keep the ph up during the winter. Usually I just crack the window but its freeeezing these days. I have been dropping as low as 7.8 while the lights are off. Should I ben dripping kalk the whole time my lights are off? I think that would skyrockt my calcuim??

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[pvh]

Chris, you're not the only one. Mine been at 7.76 with the light off. Then it goes back up to 8.10 with light on.

 

[stingythingy45]

I don't really sweat the PH.
I hardly check it at all FWIW.
I'm running a refugium stuffed with chaeto on a reverse lighting schedule.I keep my Alk up around 9-11 DKH by dosing baked(baking Soda).I"ll also drip kalk on occasion.
If you drip Kalk(top off)you are really just replacing the evaporated water with kalkwasser.It shouldn't drive your Calcium up.....just maintain it.

 

[afboundguy]

As long as the pH is consistent I wouldn't worry about it being low. It's hard to keep the pH up in the winter due to the increased C02 in your house. You could try running the airline from the skimmer to the outside if that's an option.

My pH was at 8.3-8.4 in the summer and now it's down around 8.1ish. I drip kalk that's why it's in the upper range. And I second what stingythingy45 says about kalk, it's def better at maintaining it than raising it...

 

[tubsy3]

I just figured it would raise mine since for some odd reason my cal has not been dropping as fast as I would expect. If I dont dose alk (i keep it around 9) in a day or 2 it will be down to 8. My cal has been high like 480 and hasnt gone down. I havent been doing 2 part cuz the cal jsut stands still. Using an elose test kit and also verified with a salifert. Is this normal? I even have a clam! Everything seems to be growing fine though...

 

[tubsy3]

Chris, you're not the only one. Mine been at 7.76 with the light off. Then it goes back up to 8.10 with light on.

Yep I have the same thing. I was just wondering if maintaining a better consistent range would help anything. Your stuff looks great still so I am guessing no? lol.

 

[pvh]

Yep I have the same thing. I was just wondering if maintaining a better consistent range would help anything. Your stuff looks great still so I am guessing no? lol.

Yeah, I don't think it really matter that much.

 

[stingythingy45]

I just figured it would raise mine since for some odd reason my cal has not been dropping as fast as I would expect. If I dont dose alk (i keep it around 9) in a day or 2 it will be down to 8. My cal has been high like 480 and hasnt gone down. I havent been doing 2 part cuz the cal jsut stands still. Using an elose test kit and also verified with a salifert. Is this normal? I even have a clam! Everything seems to be growing fine though...

Even with a clam the calcium usage may not be that great yet.
I find that if you have a lot of coralline,that will depleat calcium quickly.
Have you checked your Magnesium at all lately?

 

[tubsy3]

Nah, I havent checked the mag in a while. Ill check it out tonight. I try to keep it around 1350. What about you guys?

 

[Moe_K]

If it's possible, you could rig your skimmer so the intake air line sucks in fresh air from outdoors.

 

[stingythingy45]

Nah, I havent checked the mag in a while. Ill check it out tonight. I try to keep it around 1350. What about you guys?

You really don't need to check it too often.
It gets depleted a lot less than Ca and Alk do.
I keep mine around 1500.
I only check it after water changes.Randy mentioned how dripping Kalk can deplete Magnesium at the meeting.
But my Brain was already in overload at that point and forgot why.

 

[reefkeeper2]

I have a question for all the folks with low winter pH. Do you notice any increase in appearance of cyano?

 

[stingythingy45]

I have a question for all the folks with low winter pH. Do you notice any increase in appearance of cyano?

My answer would be yes.
Tank was spotless before the house was closed up tight.
Now I have one spot on the sand bed that has some.

 

[tubsy3]

I have a question for all the folks with low winter pH. Do you notice any increase in appearance of cyano?

Funny you say that. Ever since I have had the windows closed most the time. I developed some. Was wierd since I never had that problem before yet too. I run gfo AND macro too lol.

 

[reefkeeper2]

I have a theory (unproven of course) about cyano outbreaks. I suspect they are triggered not just by high phosphate and organic nutrient levels.
I believe you have to have a pH that drops below 8.0 for a given amount of time in 24hrs. Cyano originated in ancient CO2 rich oceans. If you have the proper nutrients, and you have the pH low for the right amount of time, you trigger an outbreak. This is how it seems to work in my tank. If I keep the pH up all the time - no cyano. So I'm curious as to how many other reefers notice an increase in cyano in the wintertime.

 

[jrmx635]

ph

I haven't checked ph in years.
I feel there is way more important parameters to worry about.
If alk,mag,temps,cal,are all good,then your ph will be fine.
there has been sooo many discussions on RC about ph and a few points are not anything to worry about.

 

[jbishop]

I vent the skimmer outside and all is good