Alk readings abyssmal 5.60 HELP!

[auntkaren]

We have been having nitrate problems in our 24G nano Reef tank with 3" LS and 26 lb LR Inhabitants are 2 small chromis, 2- 1 1/2"crabs 5 tiny blueleg crabs and 5 snails with one skunk cleaner shrimp. 1 frogspawn coral, 1 colt coral 1 ricordea frag and one zoo frag
Salinity - 1.025
pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0
Temp - 78
Nitrate - .80
Nitrite - 0
alk - 5.6 (in meq/L)
KH - 15.7
We have gotten the pH up from 7.8 using PH8.3 Marine buffer and water changes erased the ammonia (.25) and nitrite levels (.25). It took a week to get our alk test but today it arrived and the results are posted above.
So.... what do we do next?
We have Reef Advantage Calcium, and Reef Builder (raises Carbonate Alkalinity).
Do we add both the reef builder and the Reef advantage on the same day? If not, which do we do first? :help:

 

[reefnut]

The PH8.3 Marine buffer is the cause of the high alkalinity. What is the calcium at??

 

[auntkaren]

the alk is low! Maybe I misrepresented the readings. on the salifert chart my readings are KH value in dKH 15.7 and the Alkilinity in meq/L 5.60
according to the chart the KH should be 8.0 and the Alk 2.86
we used the buffer to get the pH up from 7.3 we didn't have an alk test to use befure we used the buffer this has been going on for 10 days at least.
Again.... which do I do first? the seachem reef builder that raises carbonate alkalinity or the seachem reef advantage calcium which raises calcium?

 

[reefnut]

First thing you need to do is test your calcium to see if it's low. If it is low then you can add some calcium to balance things out.
15.7dkh or 5.60 meq/L (both are units of measure for alkalinity) is on the high side. Somewhere between 8.0dkh and 12.0dkh is acceptable.
To directly answer your question both can be added on the same day a hour or so apart. Which goes first doesn't matter, what matters is the end result and keeping things balanced.
Look at this chart, it shows where the calcium should be in relation to the alkalinity.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=175205

 

[auntkaren]

Thank you. Our calcium is only 100 and with your guidance we have begun to rebalance our tank. Btw the nitrates were 80 not .8 we are getting those lower too. Thanks for your patience and your help. We truly do appreciate your efforts.