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Trigger01
10/05/2009, 10:19 PM
I am new to the salt hobby and I have a 150g reef aquarium, my current chemistry is:

Calcium 420
Magnesium 1170
Salinity 1.024
pH 7.98
Alkalinity 15.4

I was told by a lfs I had to raise my ph, so they told me to add seachem buffer. Which I did with water top offs and tank changes, and my ph stayed between 8.1 -8.3. But a friend said I should check my other levels and everything had dropped, cal 400, mag 1155 and my alk was through the roof 16 +. So I've stopped adding buffer and just add some calcium and mag, but my alk isn't coming down. Is this a problem? How do you get alk down? Should I be worried? At a pH of 7.98 should I be doing anything?
Thanks for your help/advice.

I am using Tropic marin proreef and my change water levels are:

Calcium 405
Magnesium 1275
Alkalinity 11.2

SWINGRRRR
10/05/2009, 10:24 PM
pH isn't that bad. I would add anything but maybe Mag to your make up water. Just keep up with WC's and after a while things will level out.
The more you chase numbers, the more outta whack they get. Thats my experience anyway.

bertoni
10/06/2009, 11:12 AM
The buffer products all add alkalinity, so this situation is very common. Never use a buffer to fix a pH problem. If the alkalinity is in the normal range of 7-11 dKH, the problem is either too much carbon dioxide in the tank, or a bad pH measurement device or kit. I don't think the pH is all that bad, but fresher air might help raise it. I'd stop dosing the buffer and let alkalinity decline on its own.

Boomer
10/06/2009, 01:16 PM
What is the exact name of the SeaChem buffer. I hope it is not SeaChem Marine Buffer, as that is a no-no for reef tanks.

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Trigger01
10/06/2009, 10:38 PM
The name of the buffer was seachem reef buffer.

Thanks for the advice, hopefully my chemical parameters will level off and all will be good!!

Billybeau1
10/06/2009, 11:04 PM
I would stop the buffer and let the alkalinity fall. It will on its own.

If you have a reef system, I would think about getting your s.g up a little higher. At least 1.025-1.026 :)