Help with low PH - Cant open window, cold AF basement and below highway level (carbon monoxide, maybe?)

[leo_martin]

Hello guys.
I need help.
So, I have a low PH, always between 7.8 and 8. I have a tiny sump with chaeto, running opposite the tank. I had this idea to try and remove some of the Co2 from the tank:

My plan is to try and reuse the same air leaving from the water when it pops and hopefully, that helps with PH. Before I start wrecking my current setup, does this makes sense? I would try a skimmer, but I don't have nutrient problems running the refugium. I just want the Co2 out.
If anyone else has any info to help, I would be greatly grateful.

Thank you!

 

[exnisstech]

7.8 - 8.0 is exactly where my acro dominant tank runs with no issues. I suppose I might get better growth if it was higher but I'm not really concerned since I'm not looking to sell frags.

EDIT : no skimmer on this tank either.

Four hours after lights on

 

[leo_martin]

Very nice tank, wow. Thank you!
My parameters are stable, I test and dose all for reef every 3 days, yet not even GSPs grow in my tank. They wont die either, just stay as they are.
My last bet would be PH, but if that's not the problem, then I don't know. Any suggestions?

 

[jimk60]

How old is your tank and how long have you had your corals?

 

[zebbiesgarden]

is your alkalinity also within range? when I was trying to raise the alkalinity on my tank, I just added some baking soda, and that helped to raise my pH as well temporarily. if your alkalinity is fine and your livestock are doing well, I wouldn't really worry about it (my GSP will only open when my water parameters are terrible lol like 20ppm nitrates and 2 phosphates)

 

[exnisstech]

Very nice tank, wow. Thank you!
My parameters are stable, I test and dose all for reef every 3 days, yet not even GSPs grow in my tank. They wont die either, just stay as they are.
My last bet would be PH, but if that's not the problem, then I don't know. Any suggestions?

How old is your tank and how long have you had your corals?

^This ^ could be a factor. I'm probably not the one to offer advice lol. For the first few years I couldn't grow gsp even tho everyone says it's grows like a weed. Many of the coral that are easy coral I couldn't keep and still can't. I'm 9 years into the hobby and still can't keep xenia alive and zoas just barely survive. I don't get it but I don't fret it either.

 

[Reefer1978]

Why not just run air from outside with the same air pump?

 

[jimk60]

^This ^ could be a factor. I'm probably not the one to offer advice lol. For the first few years I couldn't grow gsp even tho everyone says it's grows like a weed. Many of the coral that are easy coral I couldn't keep and still can't. I'm 9 years into the hobby and still can't keep xenia alive and zoas just barely survive. I don't get it but I don't fret it either.

I've seen plenty of corals sit in one place for months or even a year and do nothing. Than one day for no reason known to me they flip a switch and take off growing.

 

[leo_martin]

How old is your tank and how long have you had your corals?

Since may 2023, but these corals are here for 6 months.

 

[leo_martin]

is your alkalinity also within range? when I was trying to raise the alkalinity on my tank, I just added some baking soda, and that helped to raise my pH as well temporarily. if your alkalinity is fine and your livestock are doing well, I wouldn't really worry about it (my GSP will only open when my water parameters are terrible lol like 20ppm nitrates and 2 phosphates)

Alk at 10, fish eating and active, salinity I don't know since last month bc I broke my refractometer. But nothing changed maintenancewise so I assume (and hope) that that's still normal. Another one is in the mail.

 

[leo_martin]

^This ^ could be a factor. I'm probably not the one to offer advice lol. For the first few years I couldn't grow gsp even tho everyone says it's grows like a weed. Many of the coral that are easy coral I couldn't keep and still can't. I'm 9 years into the hobby and still can't keep xenia alive and zoas just barely survive. I don't get it but I don't fret it either.

I started the tank for fish only, then I slowly got the coral bug. However, I only want Zoas and GSP's, I like those a lot, and they are supposedly easy. So far they survive, and that's about it.

 

[leo_martin]

7.8 - 8.0 is exactly where my acro dominant tank runs with no issues. I suppose I might get better growth if it was higher but I'm not really concerned since I'm not looking to sell frags.

EDIT : no skimmer on this tank either.

Four hours after lights on

Hey man, sorry to bother you again, but what kind of lights are you running in that tank?