How To Raise PH In Your Reef Tank ( WITHOUT ANY BUFFERS)

[@TOMReefer]

Haven’t done one of these in a long time! 😃stay until the end, I give you an update of what’s coming with the 20 gallon 👍🏻 I wanted to add and say Thanks for all the positive comments and response guys! It has not gone unnoticed! 😃keep the train rollin 😉

[@jamesbroderick3660]

Can we get your light scheduled for the 20 gallon?

[@TOMReefer]

Hi James, it’s posted on my community page. You’ll have to scroll down a bit👍🏻

[@fishingmontana1564]

I feel like you said it in the past but your a teacher right. If so I wish I had a teacher like you in school you have a great way of talking and explaining thing I have a real hard time processing thing no matter how many times I hear,read them

[@TOMReefer]

Hey Fishing Montana, wow! A really nice thing to say! I appreciate that. And yes! I taught Art for 25 years😃👍🏻thanks for watching the vids!

[@Atalantum]

I like the way your videos are presented. Just going over solid fundamentals, not going for sensationalized posts weekly, and presenting just all around clean, beautiful tanks and builds! Keep it up Tom

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Giancarlo, I’m glad you enjoy them! And thank you for your insights! What you say is my goal with the videos😊👍🏻

[@mitian]

Hey Tom, the tank is looking better and better, the thing I like the most is that the corals are growing and it looks healthy not like all those tanks with multiple corals pieces that look nice but does not look like a mature tank with real colonies, those are for pictures only- nothing like a grown coral tank with pure masterpieces!!! nice video

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Mitian, thanks, and yes, a lot of reef tanks look like a collection of coral just placed in a tank. A lot has to do with growth and placement, so it looks like a piece of the reef. 😊👍🏻

[@mitian]

@@TOMReefer Thanks for replying it is so kind of you. You are correct that is why your tank is looking so nice because it is like a real reef! Have a good day!

[@alejandrocastaneda3933]

Your videos are awesome! It’s great to see how crystal clear your water is all I have is a 20gallon tank hoping to upgrade to something bigger soon

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Alejandro, thanks! 20 can give you a lot of enjoyment! But you probably move to a larger tank. It seems to be the way of things in reef keeping 😃👍🏻

[@Coral-reef.]

Hey my friend i dont have a sump and i wanted to build a refugium from a 5 gallon bucket but how do you recommend i get the water from my tank to the bucket and back to the tank from the bucket ? Please help 🙏

[@TOMReefer]

Hi, search my vids. 5 gallon gravity fed refugium. Apply the same with a 5 gallon bucket. You will need some plumbing skills.👍🏻😊

[@ap6826]

Solid info! I live on the 16th floor of my building and have been struggling to break 7.9ph at it's peak. Even with a kalk doser, c02 scrubber and algae turf scrubber...I might try putting the c02 scubber into another room that has better air flow and less people/pets in it. Any other tips, Tom? I'm also tempted to cut back on the All For Reef dosing and increase my Kalk, what do you think I should start with?

[@TOMReefer]

I 2 part dose Calc and Alk and it keeps it above 8ph. 7.9 is not to bad, just not perfect 👍🏻

[@johantatis]

Thank you for the info it has helped me in raising my ph. I didn't know much about the temp. I was running it around 78 and 79. Thanks again for the informative vid Tom!!!

[@TOMReefer]

Hey Johan! YW, 7.8,7.9 is not so low. Just keep your alk higher 9dkh. Even at that, 7.8 is not harmful, you just may not get the growth rate you would like. 👍🏻😊

[@johantatis]

@@TOMReefer but having the tank at a 76 to 77 temperature helps in oh fluctuation correct?

[@johantatis]

Ph fluctuation I mean

[@TOMReefer]

Usually once your tank is set in the location you choose, your tank set up as far as over flows, water movement in the tank, the PH somewhat is set. Temperature is part of that. I’m not so sure if your temperature went to 81° that your pH would fall. In all the years I’ve been keeping reefs the PH has always been 8.1, 8.2, 8.3. I’ve never tried to raise it from there

[@johantatis]

@@TOMReefer yes it is mostly around 80 81 due to it being in the kitchen/living room area

[@jibe4781]

Soooo cool seahorse 🤩. Very interesting. I appreciate this kind of videos. That very clear. Thank you Tom.

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Jean! Happy you liked it! Yes seashorse too hard to keep water temperature. I will build a reef the in the 20 gallon again. 👍🏻😊

[@thereefergoddess89]

My 5 gal has 7.0 ph is this ok? I’m newbie experimenting on 5 gal before I buy a big aquarium

[@TOMReefer]

That’s quite low. Mix up your salt mix to prepare for a water change, and measure your ph and alkalinity before the water change. See what your measurement is. 2 videos ago, I explain how to raise PH 👍🏻check it out

[@mandydorpinghaus252]

Thank you Tom!!! Keep it up

[@TOMReefer]

YW! 😊

[@fury40]

Nice Video. Can you tell me why my GSP not coming out and then dying ? 3 times I tried already but nothing happening. All my other corals are stays super. Thanks

[@TOMReefer]

Some times GSP can go dormant for a long time. A month or more. Getting some that’s attached to live rock already works better. Is where you’re getting it from reliable?

[@metsdynastyx]

Great video. Appreciate the insight. Been trying to keep my PH up (constant).

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Mets, it’s not easy if you normal is low. But remember if your 7.8-8.0 just raise your alk to around 9dkh. This will compensate for lower ph. 😊👍🏻

[@TheSpideyj88]

You stated that protein skimmers don't give off as much air exchange as the water surface, however the millions of microbubbles inside the skimmer provide far more surface area for gas exchange. Love your vids and you can see the high pH in the coloration of your corals!

[@TOMReefer]

Thanks Joshua! But not true on the micro bubbles. Far more oxygen is transferred through the water surface. Fact check sir. 👍🏻😊

[@TheSpideyj88]

@@TOMReefer BRS has discussed and investigated this very topic many times over. Micro bubbles have a width of about 2 μm, and protein skimmers easily produce millions, and therefore for every one million micro bubbles you would have 2 meters of surface area. I’d love to know if your water surface is greater than 2 meters, and if it is I guarantee you have one hell of a protein skimmer that produces tens of millions of micro bubbles, giving several meters of surface area. But yeah imma go do my research lol

[@mintieness4987]

@@TOMReefer that is incorrect. fact check please before you spout nonsense

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Joshua, you can’t always take BRS as absolute fact. This Harvard PhD chemist has some great articles on reef keeping. I believe he is a member of Reef2Reef👍🏻 here is a link to some great articles! reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/chemistry.php

[@mintieness4987]

@@TOMReefer I find it wild that you just discredited brs, one of if not the most reliable source of information and studies for this hobby. It is extremely well documented in this hobby that eliminating surface agitation in place of a skimmer is plenty to supply oxygen for the tank, although not wise in case something like a return pump failure happened preventing the oxygen rich water from the sump to make it back to the display, is more than sufficient.

[@xCaspow]

Great tips Tom! Air circulation is key

[@TOMReefer]

Thanks X 😊👍🏻

[@christopherbraxton7289]

Very informative thanks Tom

[@TOMReefer]

YW Chris 👍🏻

[@gnarlytubeage]

Solid tips 👌, tanks looking good Tom!

[@TOMReefer]

Thanks Luke! 😊👍🏻

[@seangriffiths9163]

Great video. Well explained 👌

[@zachary_smith1]

I really like the presentation of this video

[@TOMReefer]

Thanks Zach! Happy you liked it

[@michaelross5674]

What size is your tank with yellow tang???? I want one but only have a red sea max 130 d tank Wich is 34 gallon and my fluval Evo is too small

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Michael, I made that tank, it’s 75 gallons. 34 is a bit small for a tang. They should really have a minimum of 50. And even that, would only keep a small one. 👍🏻😊

[@davidhewitt7037]

Great video. Tom

[@TOMReefer]

Thanks David, hope it was helpful! 😊

[@rudra7615]

Awesome. One thing I've been meaning to test is throwing an air pump into the refugium, wouldn't that cause more oxygen? Some reefers say it won't make a big difference but I want to test this for myself. Your video laid out the importance of oxygen so worth a shot? Speaking of which, any idea why we don't use air pumps in reef tanks ?

[@TOMReefer]

Hey Rudra! Good to hear from you! Air stone/pumps don’t add too much. Not enough to effect ph that much. Not enough air to water surface. If you do use one, use larger bubbles. More surface area. I believe the most important is the room your tank is in, as well as water surface to air. Water turnover through your AIO/sump. And even then to get over 8.4 is difficult. Not sure what you mean by air pumps in reefs? You mean for decoration with bubbles? Or oxygen.

[@rudra7615]

@@TOMReefer yeah for decoration as freshwater tanks have them and I've wondered why reef tanks don't.

[@TOMReefer]

Air bubbles can have adverse effects on some corals. Keeping them closed 👍🏻

[@johnnyd614]

Great video. What are you using to measure PH?

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Johnny, thanks, I use Salifert ph test

[@einsteindrieu]

Love what you said nice tank full of life !!! 🛸👽

[@fishpony1211]

Great tips!!! 👍

[@TOMReefer]

Glad you liked them FP👍🏻😊

[@jacklawer6389]

I have a 3 week old tank ph 7.8 to 7.9 I just wondering why its not higher ?

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Jack, 7.8, 7.9 are in the range of acceptable ph (7.6- 8.2) if you keep your alk over 8.4 DKH, then you’re fine. 3 week old tank is extremely new. Not a lot of photosynthesis going on. give it time. 😊👍🏻

[@jacklawer6389]

@@TOMReefer thanks my friend

[@Messier87_M87]

I am always learning from this channel, I always thought PH was the measurement of carbonic acid in the water, or maybe it’s is? I was never good at chemistry.

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Dave, well my info comes from the masters. Julian Sprung, Randy Holmes Farley etc. the 90’s group. It hasn’t changed yet. 😃👍🏻 btw, carbonic acid is in the mix. I didn’t wanna get too scientific🤪

[@Messier87_M87]

@@TOMReefer Thats awesome, I really should be doing a little more reading on this hobby. I hope to meet Julian one day, those guys laid the foundation for the reefing hobby. Thanks for sharing Tom!

[@TOMReefer]

Yes! In one of my first vids I mention Julian😃I met him in a LFS in NJ. He was promoting his first book! And C Balance 😃he had long hair down to his shoulders. Haha

[@Messier87_M87]

Hahaha, that’s so awesome, I can’t picture Julian with hair, lol. It would be awesome if he was a viewer of this channel.

[@TOMReefer]

I’ve give the products I use from him credit all the time. I’m not sure how much reefing he is watching on KZbin? Haha, when you know most everything there’s no need to😃

[@VinceS950]

The 75 is looking awesome

[@TOMReefer]

Thanks Chillen! 😊👍🏻

[@jaredcoker8690]

Can you just add a tank of pure oxygen to the skimmer air line? Or is this not a good idea?

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Jared, ph is not really about oxygen so to speak. It’s about lowering CO2. So by adding oxygen, it’s not really lowering CO2. CO2 is transferred through the surface of the water.

[@willydamasdzaki284]

How about lowering the ph? I have about 9 - 9,5 ph

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Willy, large water change can help. Are you adding anything to your tank?

[@nat-kingreef3955]

Great video Buddy 💯💯💯💯

[@TOMReefer]

Hey Nat, thanks! 😊👍🏻glad you liked it!

[@jamesbroderick3660]

What’s your light schedule for your coral life bio cube sir?

[@TOMReefer]

Hi James, it’s a Waterbox. The schedule is on the community page of my channel

[@jamesbroderick3660]

@@TOMReefer I’ve looked for it but I can’t find it sir.

[@TOMReefer]

@@jamesbroderick3660 I reposted James, it’s at the top now. It’s the graph👍🏻

[@andrew5762]

With all this now , how come you’re tank is not sps 🤷🏻‍♂️ hi Tom have you ever tried going sps all out 🤷🏻‍♂️ or even mixed reef

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Andrew, I do have some sps in the 75 gallon. Going sps dominated is a different story. To much effort and money to have them crash. 😊

[@paularamos5752]

Awesome vid luv tank……..question is I have a green bubble tip anemone . he moved 2 inches today ,for the first time since I got him 2 months ago ,there is a kinda …gel or web substance we’re he was ..is that the norm after 2 months in the same spot thx T.johnny5 never had an anemone, srry about the confusion…… I am a natural born idiot lol

[@TOMReefer]

Haha, I’m not up on your abbreviation. I’ll have to think to much to figure it out🤪

[@paularamos5752]

I am sorry green bubble tip anemone is the gbta .it moved for the first time since I bought him and left like a web we’re his feet we’re attached to the live Rock. Is that normal ? Never had one before! Johnny5

[@stevenpavan327]

Great video. Great cliff hanger... another sonic masterclass... My problem - I want to take the jump to proper reef LED lighting/ But proper reef lighting for me means 800 bananas. 800 bananas!

[@TOMReefer]

Thanks Steven, yea, everything is expensive. But If you have to spend, lighting is critical. I wish there was a secret light out there that was quality and cheap! But no such thing 😏👍🏻 how much are the Ai Sol up there? They would be my choice. They run $200USD here. Amazon

[@stevenpavan327]

@@TOMReefer 345.00 up here.

[@brandonmms]

So we got an idea for the 20...the 10...i haven't forgotten the 6...what's next for the 6?

[@TOMReefer]

Haha, not sure I’ll bring the 6 back for a while 😊👍🏻

[@aerobodkin]

The 6 was one of my favorites, it was unique and visually great to look at with the depth and almost 360 degree views.

[@HCBCHEMISTRY]

I noticed ever since I released videos talking about chemistry and standard temperatures and pressures. lots of other channels started to make videos after I talked about chemistry. I remember I was the one that told you that high pH is the same as having high alkaline or basic water and you said it wasn't the same. So what made you change your mind?

[@TOMReefer]

Hi HCB, I don’t recall that conversation. And I can assure you my video wasn’t because I saw yours 😊👍🏻because I haven’t seen it 😊

[@HCBCHEMISTRY]

@@TOMReefer 3 months ago I told you. Let me refresh your memory. Here is the link to your video and go to the comment section. Check out the original comment when I said alkalinity and high pH is the same thing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y53Gep9mf9t3ecU

[@TOMReefer]

Alkalinity and high PH are not the same thing HCB. 😊try not to be so confrontational out here. I know you have an active mind, but sometimes it’s better to say nothing unless it’s a positive comment 👍🏻😊

[@HCBCHEMISTRY]

@@TOMReefer what do you think are the alkaline metals / rare alkaline earth metals on the periodic table? What are alkalinity kits really testing? pH or carbonate on the water. You tell me what the molecular formula for alkalinity is. I come out live and direct and with the facts. No negativity,but everyone knows I'm the one that talks a lot shit.

[@TOMReefer]

Haha, come on HCB, I’m going to have give you detention for being a wise ass 😃

[@paularamos5752]

Hey big T I need some Cheato , do you have any interest is selling any? I rather give u some doe than the companies! If it’s to much of a hassle,I get that too🐋

[@TOMReefer]

Algae Barn 👍🏻

[@cantusaurus8530]

I’m definitely going to try and get my temp to 77. It hovers around 79-79.5

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Cantusaurus, don’t go crazy trying, unless you’re up it. I just notice my tank looks better at lower temps. But 79-80 is fine also😊👍🏻

[@cantusaurus8530]

@@TOMReefer I totally get that. I just want to because I’ve been wanting to calibrate my heater anyways, and I want my pH to be a little more consistent, and I’m fine with trying new adjustments that won’t be too crazy.

[@TOMReefer]

Great! Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

[@paularamos5752]

I tried that this last summer didn’t help me. But didn’t hurt

[@TOMReefer]

PH is not easy to keep on the higher end

[@kiddt1999]

I ran a skimmer line outside, may have helped a bit. 🤷

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Kidd, maybe, I had tried that some years ago. Not sure if it helped. Surface water and a open air rooms are the best forms for oxygen transfer 😊👍🏻

[@kiddt1999]

@@TOMReefer yes sir! 👍. I have a very tightly sealed up house since we moved and i see the affects of co2 buildup in my ph indications. I run a refugium at night also. Yeah i set up my first reef tank, around 300 gallons total and 8 months later we decided to move 🤦🏻‍♂️. It was a blast moving everything. Everything survived but one acan. All the sps was fine.

[@TOMReefer]

Wow! 300!! Fun! But lots of work 😃👍🏻

[@Moondoggy1941]

K.I.S.S. very nice tank.

[@TOMReefer]

Thanks Jim! 👍🏻😊

[@christopherbraxton7289]

OK so you're saying I should run my refuge him late at night

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Chris, you don’t have to but it does help stabilize your pH a bit. If it’s a display refugium where you want to enjoy it and look at it during the day then I would say not. Some advanced reef keepers run them 24/7?👍🏻😊

[@brandonpolzin]

Careful! Oxygen doesn’t affect pH. If a hobbyist wanted to increase pH without the addition of chemicals, they need to be focused on reducing CO2, not increasing oxygen.

[@TOMReefer]

I believe what I was trying to say was, aquariums in rooms with high C02 levels, could use more oxygen in the room to help lower CO2 levels. It may not have come off that way. Thanks for your comment. 👍🏻

[@CrowleyRises]

You're actually completely wrong about the skimmer. The skimmer provides the most oxygen exchange. The millions of bubbles that break the top of the water in the skimmer far outdo the gas exchange in surface agitation.

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Jeremy, here are some great articles written by a PhD chemist. Randy Holmes Farley. He’s been reef keeping for 35-40 years. I can’t remember which one in particular talks and discusses micro bubbles and water surface oxygen. Thanks reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/chemistry.php

[@CoralReefkid]

That’s simply not true. Unless every drop of water that goes to your sump goes through that skimmer. The waves in the middle of the ocean are the magic, not JUST the waves that are crashing on the beaches (your skimmer)

[@CoralReefkid]

Simple debunk experiment: shut off your skimmer for one day or longer, check coral response. Then turn off the wave pumps for less than a day. Now which one upset your corals the most?

[@TOMReefer]

I tried my best with a few of these guys. 😊they just haven’t read the science. They assume BRS knows everything 😊

[@CoralReefkid]

@@TOMReefer exactly it’s a sale point, not a fact. They’ve never seen a tank with miracle mud and no skimmer 👍🏼

[@stellarlivingstoned]

Hows the heroin over by where you live?

[@TOMReefer]

Haha, I don’t know, I haven’t used in a while 😁

[@ManuelCastillo-kq3xy]

And you Can msintain other fishes, not clowns?

[@TOMReefer]

Hi Manuel, yes, I can 👍🏻