Page 1 of 1
pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 1:47 am
by brooksy
My tank's pH keeps swingin' like crazy, and my Zoas ain't happy. Got a 50-gallon with T5s, running a Reef Octopus skimmer. Anyone got tips to chill it out? Water's at 8.1 in the mornin', drops to 7.6 by night. Using Instant Ocean salt, weekly 10% changes.
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 3:22 am
by enigma
brooksy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 19, 2025 1:47 am
My tank's pH keeps swingin' like crazy, and my Zoas ain't happy. Got a 50-gallon with T5s, running a Reef Octopus skimmer. Anyone got tips to chill it out? Water's at 8.1 in the mornin', drops to 7.6 by night. Using Instant Ocean salt, weekly 10% changes.
That's a big swing. Try aerating more at night or adding a refugium with macroalgae. It'll help stabilize things.
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 4:11 am
by sonyx
Yo, my pH was wild too till I started drippin' kalkwasser at night. Now it's steady at 8.2. Got a 75-gallon with Radions, CaribSea sand. Also, check your alk, bro. If that's all over, pH's gonna be sketchy.
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 5:38 am
by swiftfly
I feel you on the pH struggle. My Torches were pissed till I added a CO2 scrubber. Running a 40-gallon with AI Primes, weekly 15% changes. Maybe look into one? They're not too pricey.
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 5:52 am
by DaisyDew
Large pH swings stress corals. Test alkalinity and calcium levels first. If they're stable, consider a dosing pump for kalkwasser or two-part. I use a Neptune Apex to automate pH control in my 120-gallon mixed reef.
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:20 am
by carmine
DaisyDew wrote: ↑Sat Jul 19, 2025 5:52 am
Large pH swings stress corals. Test alkalinity and calcium levels first. If they're stable, consider a dosing pump for kalkwasser or two-part. I use a Neptune Apex to automate pH control in my 120-gallon mixed reef.
Solid advice. Also, check your room's CO2 levels. High CO2 can crash pH fast. I run a scrubber and dose kalk, keeps my 90-gallon SPS dominant at 8.3.
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 7:33 am
by brooksy
Thanks for the tips, y'all. Gonna try the kalkwasser drip and maybe grab a scrubber. Appreciate it!
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 8:23 am
by enigma
Let us know how it goes. Stability's key, so take it slow with adjustments.
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 9:25 am
by sonyx
For real, don't rush it. My Acros took weeks to bounce back after I messed with pH too fast.
Re: pH stability for coral health
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 9:59 am
by swiftfly
sonyx wrote: ↑Sat Jul 19, 2025 9:25 am
For real, don't rush it. My Acros took weeks to bounce back after I messed with pH too fast.
Yeah, learned that the hard way too. Patience is everything in this hobby.