Lorraine's Rebuilding of 125 gal Tank

[bluespotjawfish]

PH is 7.85 this am. Aerated the tank overnight.

[Woodstock]

Here is the same response I wrote in your "High alk Low PH" thread:

Open a window

Seriously, indoor elevated levels of co2 effect our tanks PH. You can aerate all day long but if the co2 is high in the surrounding air, the ph will not rise. Co2 lowers PH.

As a test, remove a glass of tank water, test the PH, take OUTSIDE and aerate for 1 hour, test the PH again. You can repeat this test INSIDE to get a comparison but you have already done that by testing your main display. I bet you'll see a dramatic PH rise in the 'outside' glass of water due to the fresh air (low co2)

Allowing fresh air (low in co2) to fill the room, the co2 in the tank's water will naturally lower. I have the same issue since we use natural gas for everything (fireplace, stove/oven, dryer, heat); our indoor co2 can climb quickly.

Unfortunately,keeping a window(s) open in the wintertime is not an option unless you're part polar bear so open one periodically if possible. Remember that high co2 levels are not good for you either.

Another option is to pipe in fresh air directly to your tank. One way is to extend the venturi tube so it draws from outside air. I am sure there are other ways too...

[bluespotjawfish]

I'm trying the test now. I do have a CO2 monitor for the house and it reads 0. My doggies keep the house well aerated with outside air (they stand in the middle of their doggy door and look outside all the time...keeps them warmer if they are halfway inside the house you know). We also run the fan on the house furnace constantly. Stay posted for results...it will be interesting to see.

[bluespotjawfish]

An update. Both indoor and outdoor PH tests came in at 8.0. I aerated the tank all day, and it raised to 7.95. Also had LFS test my water to make sure the alk is as high as I have been testing, and it is. The corals loved me stirring things up, even the pods have been active enough for me to see them.

I built a 17" X 17" shelf over my pump today - thanks for the tip Woody! Mine is much more open and simplier than your's, but it really was painful for me to make (since I don't own a saw). I'm pleased with the results. Had planned for it to hold my top off water, but just ordered a larger container for that, so maybe a fan or something else. I'm sure it will get used. I think next weekend I will add some holes in the shelf just to make sure the pump is well ventilated, but it should be fine. The shelf is also removable if I need to get to the pump. Hopefully my newly ordered goodies will be in by then too.

I left two Bluespots at the LFS today - can you believe it?

[saltwaterfarm]

BSJ, I had the same problem with pH and alk when I first set-up my biocube. Low pH and high alk. Couldn't figure out why... I found a product from Kent that raised only the pH. After that, all has been OK. BTW, if you use it, be sure to dilute it in water and add very slowly. My nem was very unhappy when I added it!
Yes, it is hard to believe you left 2 BSJ's at the store...

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks for the info, but I don't think I am going to add anything right now. If the problem continues, I might try that or switch salt mixes. Just waiting it out mostly cause I don't have 100% confidence in my pen, and no one in the tank is really complaining about it. I wish Salifert's PH test was more sensitive than it is. PH was 7.87 this am, and my anenome does not like the extra aeration I added. He has turned around and is facing the back of the tank, showing me his butt! How stuck up is that! Whatever! He is open (i.e., not dead) and that's all I care about. One of the pumps I added to the sump made sucking noises all night. That ain't going to work for me. It also snowed last night, and my husband as today off for a holiday, which sound like good excuses to not go to work (and go buy Bluespot?).

Anyone who wants a Bluespot can fly in and pick it up, then carry it back on the plane with them....haha. What, that's what I had to do to get my puppy from Canada. Perhaps that is why everyone else is having problems getting them, my LFS is hogging them. I'll have to tell them about the crisis they have created.

They also had some other jawfish and gobies that looked real healthy too. Bluespot's are supposed to really like to buddy up with Pearly's. They had them in the same holding tank which is pretty small and they were all ok together.

[bluespotjawfish]

Here is a coral that my daughter saved for me before the tank crashed. Shortly after I bought it, my fish severely damaged it by ripping food out of it's mouth. It wasn't thriving in her tank, and she wanted the room for something else, so she brought it back. It loves my fuge. She kept the green one that the fish kept knocking over.

Note the tree sponge in the background. A bit worse for wear, now also living in the fuge.

Stay tuned for a photo of Bluespot! He is out where he can get his photo taken. Should I go back to the fishstore and get another one?

[bluespotjawfish]

This guy wanted his photo taken instead...

Will have to wait for a more cooperative Bluespot day.

[bluespotjawfish]

Well, my anenome just realized that he missed lunch. He is in the process of turning around back the way he was.

[bluespotjawfish]

Here is the spiffy shelf I made, along with the top-off container, the coral nursery, and new pump I added to help with the CO2 issue. Didn't have a saw, didn't use any paint! Can't believe the shelf paper even matches what I have on the bottom of the stand that I put down 8 years ago!

[lcstorc]

Looks like a job well done.
Nice and clean and orderly.

[saltwaterfarm]

Great job with the shelf! Wish I had room in my stand...
Great pic!

[aquaman3680]

Great! Things are looking GREAT!

Matt

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks! PH stayed up overnight (8.02 this am before lights on).

I think Bluespot moved last night. Can't see him, but there is a pile of sand on top of my trumphet corals. I swear, this Bluespot acts more like a Diamondback. I have never had one that digs in the sand so much. Wouldn't mind it if he would just find a place where I could see him better.

Can't wait to get all the stuff I've ordered, but that means more work and more messes. I hope when I am done my son can still take care of this tank while I am away and my hubby will know what to do in an emergency. He says I have to write it down. Things are changing so fast, that seems pointless right now, but I really should.

[Dentoid]

I really like the picture of the double Fox Face, so he likes his reflection. Sorry to hear you are having such a time with your pH. For what it's worth, my pH has never been higher than 8.2 and it probably averages 8.0. I try not to mess with it too much. I think that is where trouble starts, when one tries altering water chemistry. You just rebuilt your tank, give it some time to stabilize. Right now it is most likely favoring acid, but in time will stabilize. Just keep an eye on your inhabitants, if they are happy, eating, corals expanding etc, then I wouldn't worry about the pH too much. If it keeps dropping then you may need to intervene. As long as it is stabile, that's the most important thing, IMHO.

Your LFS is creating a deficit in the Blue Spot market, and if you keep buying them, it gives them more incentive to keep bringing them in! I am happy that you have such an opportunity. Go get those baby Blue Spots! Maybe May is good time for Blue Spot Awareness Day at RS. At least that is when they are more abundant and more easily obtained. Also, it gives us more time to think about how we are going to present this wonderful fishy. What do you think?