PH problems!!!!

[miel]

:thinking: I could use some advice on high PH in my 40 gal tank. It has been up and running well for 1 1/2 years. amonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate always under 20, saline 1.023-1.025, 2 powerhead on a undergravel filter, Bak Pak 2r skimmer, wisper power filter, 4 inch CC substrate, reg water changes, reef crystals salt mix, 5 small clowns, 5 small chromis, 6 hermit crabs, 3-4 snails, 1 anenome, 1 brittle star (red), and 1 skipper blenny. My PH is always shooting up to the top of my test chart. I tested my fresh water it is a 7.6 on PH scale, and and dosen't change much when mixed with salt mix. I am now using a tap water filter for aquariums (sold by all fish mags)
I have to watch the PH closely and add PH Down to keep it within normal range.
OOPS I forgot to mention I also use a under gravel air curtain, and have a air stone in one down tube on the undergravel filter. Any help would be greatly appreciated, this is my biggest frustration with my tank!

 

[reefnut]

So what is the tank's PH running?? What are you testing your PH with?? You also need to test for alkalinity and calcium. If they are in rage then we can start to troubleshoot the system.

 

[goldpuffer]

Try using a ph buffer. I add it to my tanks once a week and I have never had a ph problem.

 

[reefnut]

PH Buffers increase alkalinity... I would not add anything until you're able to test. It can cause more problems that you're trying to solve.

 

[miel]

Sorry! But the job called & I had to run!
My alkalinity runs between 180-300, the ideal area acording to the Jungle Quick Dip Test. My PH is running at the top of the chart 8.8 with a Aquarium Pharm High Range test. The Calcium is low because it precipitates out due to the high PH level.
Could it be that I'm over oxygenating? I turned off the Oxy curtain and air stone and will continue to monitor the PH level but its too soon to tell if that will make a difference. Any ideas?

 

[reefnut]

180ppm is good... 300ppm is high. Your calcium could be low due to the high alkalinity...
What additives are you adding.

 

[miel]

Just the PH Down, to control it, and of coarse the salt mix, and a chlorine remover, most recently AmQuel, sometimes StressCoat.

 

[reefnut]

First thing I would do is stop adding AmQuel and do some water changes with RO/DI or Distilled water. Second get a second opinion on the PH from your LFS. It is possible to have a CO2 depleted system that could cause a high PH but it sounds to me like it may be more of a chemical problem. Get an accurate reading on your alk and calcium... keep your alk around 180 and ca around 420-440 and see what happens.

 

[miel]

Thanks Reefnut, sounds like good advice. I have to say I never thought of distilled water! I'm thinking seriously about the RO system. Guess I'll see what the LFS says about the water sample. I'm not throwing in the towel yet!:thinking: