pH wong go over 8

[eartaker]

I have my alk at 10 and cal over 420ppm but came seem to get my pH over 8.0. I recently added a probe to my tank that showed my pH was at 7.6, and I have adjusted to 8. Should I be worried or change anything to get it to 8.2-4? I'm sure this explains why I had issues with SPS corals maybe....

 

[blk822822]

You should be checking Mag. too. Theres a balance between cal. ,Mag. and ph I believe.......And ph is different at night than during the day. I'm sure someone better schooled in this will chime in.

 

[NC2WA]

instability of pH is why your SPS is having issues.

and yes, there is a relationship, suggest to read the following articles:

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f15/what-water-quality-27575/
A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[user 26995]

There is a lot of info in the Reef Chemistry Discussion with Boomer forum.
Reef Chemistry Discussion with Boomer

Read thru the Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners parts 1,2 &3. Part 3 is on pH
The“How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 3: pH

 

[eartaker]

I'm reading up on it all now, I have never looked at mag because i cant seem to find a test for it.

 

[NC2WA]

Elos or Salifert are the better more affordable test kits for Mg..

 

[user 26995]

Most of the better test kits will have a kit for it. I use Salifert test kits. They are a mid range test kit. I believe Red Sea has a kit that includes magnesium test.

 

[blk822822]

I used to dose alot of cal. and buffers and such and could never get things to balance out till I got my Mag. up. Then everything leveled out. Just my exsperiance.

 

[T1tan360]

Is your sump enclosed in the stand? Also does your tank have a canopy? Your low ph can be caused by poor oxygen exchange. Take a cup of your water test the ph and then put an air stone in it for 10 mins and test ph again if it goes up then you need to have fresh oxygen flowing through your cabinets

 

[pandora32]

I believe barrier reef aquariums has elos mag kits in stock. I bought mine from my lfs. Totally forgot i had it and ended up getting another one from barrier reef. Was like 30-35 bucks.

 

[mojoreef]

With your Alk sitting at 10 and your calcium at 420 I doubt you have a mag issue, however it is a element you should be testing for. I would look to the info Titan gave, I would put dimes to dollars that you have a co2 issue, and/or and issue with your gas exchange.

Mojo

 

[Aquanaut]

I agree, if using CO2 or DSB degassing can prevent PH especially at night. Look at increasing air/water agitation in the sump to bump up ORP. Oh! Check decay of organics in fuge if used too which can acidify.

 

[eartaker]

I do not run CO2 and I have an open top with a fan blowing on it. I look more into it

 

[patsan19]

is your tank heavily stocked?
just wondering if your parameters would fluctuate much...