Broken :(

Interesting,

I was worried about my PH it seems to be at 8.1 alot even though when I tested the PH before doing all my water changes it tests at 8.3. Maybe this is why I have low PH. I also dont have it totaly covered even with the top I am using now. It has about 1.5 inches in the back is open for the skimmer and HOB filter I use.

 

Yea but 1.5" isn't that much, that's what I had before too. Also in the winter, although I see you're in California so this probably doesn't matter, but in frigid places like this our houses are closed up more in the winter which also affects pH.

And as unclejed said a good sump and skimmer will help with that too, however for me it didn't solve the problem, although I'm sure it helped.

 

That settles it, I am going to mount my lights to my tank and remove the cover for a couple of weeks to see if my PH goes up and if the corals react to it.

 

Great little test you're about to embark on, I look forward to the results. I don't find 8.1 to be low tho - just an opinion, 7.8 - 8.5 is an acceptable range.

Have you ever tested your PH in the evening? try it out and see what you get. Good luck with the test !!

 

Well 24 hours later and my Nitrates droped from 10ppm to 0ppm or barely any reading.

First time ever that I almost said my test kit was broke untill I tested my tap water.

No top and Nitrates droped 10ppm that is worth not running the top

 

Thats interesting. I didn't know no top could influence nitrates. Cool!

 

For those of you that don't run glass lids, are you doing anything else to keep jumpy fish in?