Does reactor effluent pH fluctuate?
 

Seems like my effluent pH goes up and down with the time of day. Is this normal?

These are my readings the past few days:

Apr 02 6:00pm: 6.86
Apr 03 1:30pm: 6.87
Apr 03 8:45pm: 6.89
Apr 04 2:30pm: 6.87
Apr 05 12:30pm: 6.84


Does this look normal?

Yes, your readings are reflecting the higher pH of the water as the day goes on.

it will be easier for you to see the trend, if you take your test a few times a day, for the next couple days, at the same time.
i.e. 10am, 2pm, 8pm for the next couple days.
if the values a renear the same for each time period, then yes, the values are fluctuating due to the fluctuating pH of your input(tank) water.
if the values differ (at the same time frame) something else may be causing the fluctuations.

make sense?

How are you testing your effulent? if you look you are getting a fluxuation of 0.02 to 0.03 per day. Most kits canot measure this fine and the best afordable digital PH meter has a accuracy of 0.01. so unless you are using something to measure your PH that is above the reach of most hobbiests, I would say you have a PH of 6.8 everyday.

Steve

He's using a digital monitor.

Thanks Troy :)

Yes, I'm using a Pinpoint monitor. Can't imagine life without one anymore!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to start testing more consistently to confirm that it's a normal fluctuation.

Stircrazy may have a point though, maybe I'm just being too paranoid about this tiny 0.05 fluctuation.

I agree... PinPoint all the way, I'd be lost with out it.

You guys think this is a science.............

lol... Science? Nooooo way, but, I don't mind the odd crutch