Issue with PH..plz help

[xxevikaxx]

Im trying to get my QT and DT on the same level, two weeks ago my DT had all perfect readings on all tests Ph was 8.2 and the suddenly it dropped to like 7.8 i ve been adding alkalin8.3 Buffer and its finally increasing a little but still its only at a low 8.0 why is it taking so long i add everyday and the alkalinty is normal, however my QT has always remained low since i first set it up and ive been adding the same Buffer but still its low 7.8-8.0 but the alkalinity is high 2.9-3.6, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, or am i doing something wrong, i would like to have the water conditions perfect in my QT as soon as possible just in case

 

[prime311]

Case in point why you don't add buffer without testing for the chemicals that you're adding. A drop in pH is only an indication that something else in the tank is wrong. Now you know your Alk is high so you need to change out some water to bring it to a proper level. The check your other params, particularly Calcium and Magnesium to see if something else is low. Also, 7.8 isn't an alarmingly low pH.
Welcome to SWF!

 

[xxevikaxx]

so how much water do you suggest i take out its a 20 gallon QT?I have the calcium test i tried but i got a lil confused on how to read it, it tells me and the first 0.5ml swiftly then to pay attention to everydrop afterwards and how much of reagent C i used (0.75) till i reached the end color, i think the result was 375 if i used correctly. the problem is i have a regal blue tang that i think may have ich i have corals in my DT so copper treatment is out of the question in DT and i have more fish too that may have it but i believe she is the host

 

[prime311]

Calcium should be above 400. I checked a reference and 3+ Alk is ok when you have a low pH. If you're Alk is fine and pH is low it could be cause by something as silly as the co2 levels in your home. You aren't by chance running limewater or a co2 reactor?
Also, if you're QT is cycling its going to have fluctuations of pH. If its done cycling, you should be able to move your fish around np as long as your temperature, sg match and you don't have levels of Ammonia or Nitrite. Things like Alk and Calcium are more of an issue for Corals and Inverts.

 

[xxevikaxx]

oh good, no im not running limewater or Co2 reactor what it is this? what if my salanity is higher in my DT then QT , cause in mt DT it is1.024-1.025 and in my QT 1.022 is it bad it if i have to put the blue tang in today cause she has alot of white spots that in some areas have scarred her this has been going on for about a week now

 

[prime311]

Its not bad per se, you'll just need to acclimate and could cause more stress. Ideally you want the SG to be the same. For the DT though, I'd raise your Calcium and check Magnesium levels. If Alk, Mag, and Calcium are all at the right levels you should have a pH around 8 or more, if pH is still low then it has to be some outside influence.

 

[flricordia]

My tank runs low too, specially at night and morning, then when lights come on it climbs. So far I have seen no ill-effects in all the time I have had reefs. Everything seems to do fine and growth is good so I don't know if it is something that really needs to be worried over too much. My rics and zoas grow pretty well so though I run a monitor 24/7, I don't worry about it myself as long as everything looks like it is doing fine.
I think this is one of the most common problems in the closed system and I also think that corals, coralimorphes, invert and fish adapt OK to it.
If your charges seem to be doing fine, sit back and enjoy your part of the ocean.

 

[xxevikaxx]

thank you very much for your help