[Myka]

Originally Posted by Aquaria

Idk About that myka your one of about 10 people who's views I regard very highly so in my eyes you are an expert.

Originally Posted by sweet ride

I do have to agree with you as far as myka is concern she has very good points and could be very well considered as one of the experts in this site.

Thanks for the kind words guys. I am not an expert though, no letters after my name.

Originally Posted by sweet ride

so base on your recommendation I've gave vacuuming the sanded a second try, this time i used one of the ball valve that came with the TLF reactor, it still pickup a little bit of sand but this time I can live with it!

I do open the window around the tank whenever am around. I've also started using kalk as part of the ATO, the ph have increased a little am around the 7.8 now during the day and 7.6 at night time.

Ah, very good! I am glad to hear you have seen an improvement, and that you have managed to vacuum the sand. It really does make a huge difference...especially in tanks with high bioloads. It is not common practice though.

Originally Posted by sweet ride

I do believe in the saying "if it aeint broke dont fix it" but it this case I do believe that improving my ph will also indirectly impact the system in a good way.

I agree. Small changes can make big differences, but small changes dont usually wreck havoc. I dont usually like to mess with pH, but your pH was really quite low. pH is a result of problems, not so much a cause of problems so it can be a good indicator.