calcium is 540. ph is only 7.4, help!

[puffer32]

How can I raise my ph without raising cal? Some of my corals are not opening, i am guessing its because my ph is to low. I put extra PH in for more circulation, and did a water change 2 days ago, and i can't get it up. My water change ph was 8.0. trates and trites all 0 ditto for ammonia. If I add a ph buffer won't it raise my cal to high? Thinking 540 is where cal should be :notsure:

 

[matty0h_52]

whats you ALK

 

[reefnut]

Originally Posted by matty0h_52
whats you ALK
Ditto... a alkalinity reading is critical in helping you.
IMO calcium should be between 400-450ppm.
btw If I add a ph buffer won't it raise my cal to high?
Don't add a buffer until you have your alkalinity tested. PH "Buffers" are nothing more than alkalinity additives. It will not make your calcium go up but if anything, water changes are your best course of action until you have your alkalinity tested.

 

[matty0h_52]

well im assumeing low..u might want to try a buffer to raise alk.

 

[matty0h_52]

Reef-Nut
on a different note i did get up my ALK with the buffer i was useing. and it made my CAL go so low that i had to buffer it to get it back up to 420-450

 

[reefnut]

You do know what "assume" means right??

 

[reefnut]

Originally Posted by matty0h_52
Reef-Nut
on a different note i did get up my ALK with the buffer i was useing. and it made my CAL go so low that i had to buffer it to get it back up to 420-450
Of course it did. Calcium and alkalinity is connected... when you raise one, the other drops. That's why it's always best to used balanced solutions, after you reach a balance between the calcium and alkalinity.

 

[puffer32]

Just tested alk, the test is confusing, it took 14 drops to change the color from orange to green and that 12 drops is 214.8. is that good?

 

[thomas712]

Don't forget the Magnesium.
Magnesium plays an important role in maintaining the balance between alkalinity and calcium. Mg helps us to keep them at reef levels without doing that yo-yo up/down affect as much.

 

[matty0h_52]

Originally Posted by ReefNut
You do know what "assume" means right??
yes i do thank u very much...

 

[reefnut]

With that, both your calcium and alkalinity is a bit high IMO. Again, IMO alk should be kept between 150-200ppm and calcium between 400-450ppm. Ideally the two should be closely balanced.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=175205
What are you adding now for calcium and alkalinity?? I would just stop adding everything and allow it to fall on its own.

 

[reefnut]

Originally Posted by matty0h_52
yes i do thank u very much...

just picking on ya!!
Good point Thomas!!

 

[puffer32]

I don't have any magnesium, or a test for it i read so many postssaying not to add all that stuff to your tank, all i put in my tank during water changes is kent essential elements

 

[puffer32]

My calcium is as low as its ever been, it was 580 for months

 

[matty0h_52]

Originally Posted by ReefNut

just picking on ya!!
Good point Thomas!!

 

[puffer32]

I add nothing but the essential elements 2 times a month

 

[matty0h_52]

Originally Posted by ReefNut

just picking on ya!!
Good point Thomas!!

Well in that case brings up another question....how does that explain the low PH when the ALK is too high. I thought it was the other way around?

 

[reefnut]

I agree with all of those posts but the three main elements we need to watch is calcium/alkalinity/magnesium. All three and VERY important for a stable system.

 

[puffer32]

Thats whty i add the essentila elements, it has magnesium in it, which i was hoping would keep my water stable

 

[reefnut]

Originally Posted by matty0h_52

Well in that case brings up another question....how does that explain the low PH when the ALK is too high. I thought it was the other way around?
I can't keep up here ***)
It doesn't explain the PH at all. In fact with a PH that low I would have to question the test kit. Otherwise, excess CO2 or massive decay would be the only explanations.