pH dropping -hello winter

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I would disconnect the probe for the winter, problem solved.

Originally Posted by Delphinus

pH is a little like describing a musical concert by telling you which was the average note played by all the instruments all evening.

I'm of the same thoughts
But if you're still concerned about it, it was mentioned to run your skimmer intake outside
I've mine plumbed through a window and added a filter on the outside to keep bugs from plugging it up (happened this summer and it overflowed )
You can see my filter here 2nd pic
It's just a breather filter for a carbureted V8

[Treebeard]

Not so sure that sucking in -30 air into my skimmer would work so good. Not to mention my sump is in a room in my basement with no windows and I am reluctant to start punching holes in the concrete for the skimmer. Unplugging the pH probe for the winter may be the way to go.

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I'm of the same thoughts
But if you're still concerned about it, it was mentioned to run your skimmer intake outside
I've mine plumbed through a window and added a filter on the outside to keep bugs from plugging it up (happened this summer and it overflowed )
You can see my filter here 2nd pic
It's just a breather filter for a carbureted V8

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

It is pink first, and then turns purple/blue.

Whoops, I was thinking of my Ca test kit (2 part), which is also API.

The API KH test starts off blue, and then turns green/yellow and uses only 1 reagent.

[kien]

Originally Posted by Treebeard

Since the weather turned for hell here a few days ago, and my windows are closed most of the time my pH has been hanging 7.7-7.9. I realize that this likely a seasonal issue and I never was even aware of it until now, but thanks to my Apex, now I know. I am wondering if I should be concerned about it and doing something to raise it?

This is where my pH is at these days too (as displayed on my controller). Definitely a seasonal thing. I personally don't pay any attention to my pH and have never done anything to correct it. I don't think it needs correcting. I like Brad's suggestion about unplugging the probe. Unless you're using one in a calcium reactor they are a bit of a waste of money really.

[tobysmurf]

I generally treat pH as an entertainment value, and something to ignore unless something looks really wrong in the tank. Mine drops down about .2 in the winter. As long as your corals are healthy, I'd recommend ignoring it and just enjoy the tank instead of the Apex!

[Magickiwi]

As a relative newb I am going to continue to monitor my pH levels as a possible early indicator of something going horribly wrong. A pH probe and the occasional addition of buffer isn't going to kill me.

Once I become an expert like others here I'll know when I can ignore it

[mseepman]

I have had some terrible PH issues in the last few months. I can't get it to go up. I'm dosing almost 5liters of saturated kalk per day. My Alk was crazy low before and now appears to be closer to normal, but I can't get PH up. Best it gets when lights are on full is 8.05 on my APEX. I've got two probes in different locations as a backup check. It is an issue for me as having the PH and Alk so low resulted in some cyano issues. Still trying to beat that too. I also have an HRV feeding fresh air only 10 feet from the tank. Not sure where else to go with it.

[kien]

Originally Posted by mseepman

I have had some terrible PH issues in the last few months. I can't get it to go up. I'm dosing almost 5liters of saturated kalk per day. My Alk was crazy low before and now appears to be closer to normal, but I can't get PH up. Best it gets when lights are on full is 8.05 on my APEX. I've got two probes in different locations as a backup check. It is an issue for me as having the PH and Alk so low resulted in some cyano issues. Still trying to beat that too. I also have an HRV feeding fresh air only 10 feet from the tank. Not sure where else to go with it.

That's interesting, I didn't know that pH and Alk had an affect on cyano. I'll have to go read up on that. Myself, have had cyano in my tank during the summer with High pH, 8.1 and above, as well as in the winter with low pH, below 8.0.

[mseepman]

Alk seems to be the culprit that more people are comfortable associating with Cyano...though many threads have said raising PH has helped them rid cyano from tank.

[Reef Pilot]

MB7 is what keeps my tank clear of cyano. Learned that a couple years ago, and have not had a problem since.