PH/Alk Problem

[nbreau]

Hi All,

I have had a 77 gallon tank setup since august and have always had low PH and alk, ~7.7PH and 6dKh

Dripping Kalk has never seemed to raise these any. This week I started adding SeaChem PH Buffer to raise Alk and PH as well as dripped nightly. By the end of the week PH hasn't changed (around 7.8-7.9) and alkalinity is through the roof.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to why PH wont budge ? Alot of my coraline has turned white and I dont trust my calcium reading since i have a hagen calcium test kit. all other kits are salifert.

I also live in a smaller appartment so there is a small lack of fresh air wish I read may slightly effect the PH.

thanks,
Nick.

[martym]

Where is the calcium at? This page that Ocean Aqautics has a link to helped me.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

What time of day are you measureing the PH? I've never been able to get mine over 8.0-8.1. What test kit are you using? Check the expiry date.

[nbreau]

This mornings test results:

Alk - 15+ dKH
PH - 7.7-7.9
Calcium - ~250 (Hagen Kit)
Nitrate - ~0

I haven't been able to find the expiry dates on the Salifert kits... Hagen kit is good.

[Jack]

How are you testing your pH?

[nbreau]

using a Salifert PH test kit

[martym]

how long had your lights been turned on for? Try mixing your kalk at max saturation. That is what i had to do to get my calcium up to over 400ppm. Now that it is there, it holds OK at the suggested mixture. Try Measuring your PH this afternoon, see what reading you get.