Ca, Alk levels are driving me nuts!

[treg]

Ive been trying for 3 weeks to raise my Calcium level and lower my Alk. Im getting no where fast!
they are:
Ca = 300
Alk = off the chart
Besides weekly 15% water changes I have been dosing with Kents Liquid Calcium nightly and dripping with Kalk at night for top offs. (about 1 gallon every two days.)
At one point I had the Ca at 350 and the Alk was down to 5.6 but I missed a couple nights in a row of treating with Liquid Calcium and im right back where I started from!
I think what got me in trouble is trying to raise my PH. Its right around 8.0 maybe a little less so I was buffering with Kent PH buffer and probably overdosed raising my Alk to high.
My PH is still lower then I would like...
What do I need to do here??

 

[bang guy]

Stop the limewater until your levels are balanced. Just add Calcium chloride to raise your Ca until it's where you want it and just wait for your ALK to drop. Once everything is balanced resume the limewater and stop with the Calcium chloride.
Worry about your PH AFTER you get Ca and ALK in balance. I believe you'll find it will correct itself.

 

[treg]

Ok,
Thanks Bang Guy!

 

[nm reef]

*sigh*
where is the resident "water chemistry" expert when ya need him?!!?
I'd suggest a search here on the forum for posts by broomer...he has addressed this issue in depth several times. there is a wealth of info in his past posts.
Short version is calcium/alkalinity/PH/magnesium all need to be established and balanced prior to addition of kalk for best results...at least thats how it works for me.