PH too high?

[polywise]

Tank PH has been running pretty constant around 8.35ish just after light cycle.
DKH range in the 9's. I use a calcium reactor, and have fresh air ventilation room temp control.
only change within the past few weeks - I added another hour to MH photo period from 5hrs to 6hrs.
LEDS on for 10 HRS.
Recently the PH has crept up to 8.55 to 8.61 at end of light cycle. When does this become a issue for SPS coral?

Jim C.

 

[pecan2phat]

I know that you're an old timer in this hobby but just putting it out there, is your probe calibrated?
I calibrated my probes and afterwards they were reading in the 8.6s and 8.7s. Even though my probes can still be calibrated I still believe that my probes are old and are drifting too much for reliability.

 

[coralcruze]

I find high pH a good thing. My range is 8.2- 8.6 diurinal typically. Sps love it. Low pH is more of an issue with sps.

 

[polywise]

I'm using a hand held pinpoint PH probe which was calibrated within the last 6 months.
Readings have been stable for a while. I am just wondering/trying to understand why PH is creeping up in the tank.

 

[horseplay]

I am almost certain your ph meter needs to be calibrated or it's given wrong result. Almost impossible to get a ph reading of 8.6+.

 

[coralcruze]

Unsure why people think high pH is impossible to attain. This was my levels last week. Commonly over 8.6. Maxed out at 8.8 last week 8.2 at its lowest. Speak to Randy Holmsles Farley (reef chemist) he will tell you high pH is what you want. sps will melt under 7.6 pH and is why we keep pH lower than that in a calcium reactor precisely to melt media.

 

[piranhapat]

I just used my Hanna Ph and reading 8.6. I was told not good to be over 8.4. But if its consisted its find.

 

[coralcruze]

I just used my Hanna Ph and reading 8.6. I was told not good to be over 8.4. But if its consisted its find.

Hmnnn. Intersting never heard any concrete info. on high pH being a bad thing. I would agree with the consistency part. Like anything in reefing consistency over the long run is key.

 

[polywise]

I'm going to check readings off cycle to see what a low point might read.
I think check point would be lowest just before light cycle starts for the day, right?
Jim C.

 

[polywise]

Warren,
I am going to test probe in a PH calibration packet to compare

 

[polywise]

OK- PH probe was off & needed recalibrating.

I wonder why the probe changed quick this time within 6 months? Last calibration I even installed new batteries when I calibrated it.
Every time I use it I rinse the unit with fresh water before putting the cap back on.

Also did a PH check just after light cycle with Salifert test kit & It read between 8.30 & 8.15 visually it was pretty close to 8.30.

Jim C.

 

[usctom]

OK- PH probe was off & needed recalibrating.

I wonder why the probe changed quick this time within 6 months? Last calibration I even installed new batteries when I calibrated it.
Every time I use it I rinse the unit with fresh water before putting the cap back on.

Also did a PH check just after light cycle with Salifert test kit & It read between 8.30 & 8.15 visually it was pretty close to 8.30.

Jim C.

I use some really expensive pH meters at work. We re calibrate daily and replace them yearly. They don't last for some reason. When we don't need exact numbers we use API test kits. They aren't great but are consistent.