reef water parameters

[dviper150]

Here are my reef parameters.

Salinity - 1.027
Alk - 10 Salifert
Cal - 450 Salifert
Mag - 1325 Salifert
Nitrates - 0 API
Ammonia - 0 API
Nitirites - 0 API
pH -7.8 API
Temp. today is 79.2

Can someone tell me why my alk is a little high and pH is low? I didn't check my pH last weekend but my alk last weekend was 9.3. During the week, I did top off with a little salt water and fresh water.

[CHSUB]

not sure what kind of tester an API is? but if it is anything but a calibrated digital ph meter it is probably not to accurate...

[dviper150]

Its a liquid test kit.

[Fryman]

What's your pH at normally? Have you tried testing @ different times in the day? pH can swing significantly over the course of a day in some systems. Stability is more important than the actual number I think.

Those numbers aren't that bad. pH is a little low but it's within the normal range and there's not much you can do to change it. Maybe try increasing aeration if it's a concern.

[dviper150]

I haven't checked it in awhile but last time I did, it was 8.2.

I checked my pH this morning when the lights went on and it was 7.8 and I just checked it again now and still the same. Don't see any ill effects but I would like it to be at 8.2.

I just recently went from a closed top tank to an open top tank with a screen mesh. This was about 3-4 days ago. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.

[bertoni]

7.8 is a fairly common pH for a tank in a house with the windows closed. As long as the alkalinity is normal, I wouldn't worry much. You could switch to Kalkwasser or try to get fresher air to the tank if you want to try to raise the pH. Those approaches might help.

[tmz]

Co2 levels can vary . More CO2 in the water will drop ph. The alk hould not increase without adding it. PRobably th slat mix or testing noise.

[Kluver]

I have the same problem and concern as well. I did noticed that once I went into s closed up top my PH dropped as well. I'm assuming (from my own observation) that closing the system dropped my PH as well. I'm opening up my top now.

[bertoni]

That might help a lot. Results do vary, though. I ran tanks with glass tops for a long time without problems, but there were large openings at the front and back, so I don't think they changed aeration much.