Total Loss...Almost

[RichardinMA]

I agree with you on that. My pH will vary from a low of about 8.0 at dawn to about 8.5, sometimes even higher, by evening. The corals, clams and fish show no signs of stress at all so I don't worry about it. I think stability of Alk, Cal and salinity, in that order, are the two main things to worry about. That is what has made the greatest difference and had the most impact in my tanks. My parameters are usually stable but if consumption goes up and levels start dropping I notice it in my corals and can usually predict exactly what is going on. Chasing numbers will drive you crazy.

 

[Greg Hiller]

> is alkalinity fluctuation, especially drops. <

My experience as well. Low alk can be a big problem, fast. High alk. is much less likely to be a problem.

I generally don't measure pH. I've not had a functioning probe on my tank in years. MUCH too easy to make mistakes based on a bad probe. The primary thing is to measure and maintain alk. If it is in the correct range your pH should also be okay unless you are doing something unusual, or have poor air exchange (sump in a small room, or very tight house).

 

[Chuck Spyropulos]

Greg, I think you may have hit on something that might be the issue. I mentioned in a previous post that the only change I made was to not refill my empty kalkreactor. Your post reminded me that I also replaced a large exhuast fan with two smaller ones that don't seem to be pushing enough exhaust out of my fishroom. In addition, due to the cooler weather, I started to keep the door to my fishroom closed as I do each year around this time. Perhaps all this contributed to low alkalinity? Well, this is all old news....see you soon for some new frags!

> is alkalinity fluctuation, especially drops. <

My experience as well. Low alk can be a big problem, fast. High alk. is much less likely to be a problem.

I generally don't measure pH. I've not had a functioning probe on my tank in years. MUCH too easy to make mistakes based on a bad probe. The primary thing is to measure and maintain alk. If it is in the correct range your pH should also be okay unless you are doing something unusual, or have poor air exchange (sump in a small room, or very tight house).