High pH not sure why

Goodgreef · Aug 11, 2016

My pH has slowly been climbing the past couple weeks to 8.5 and now 8.6. I have a primarily sps with some lps tank with a 6 inch sand bed. I run a skimmer and algae scrubber for filtration. I dose BRS 2 part. I use Reef Crystals but havent done a water change in about 4 months. I supplement with Brightwell Potassion, Strontion, and Lugol's. My alk is consistently 9.2-9.4 dKH and Calcium 400-420. My mag is 1325. Right now its 9.3 and 410. I also run BRS Rox Carbon in a reactor. I could dose seltzer or vinegar to lower it I suppose though Id like to avoid it. Just trying to figure out what brought this on. I did add about 4 small colonies of sps and this rise began shortly after. I upped my 2 part by a few mls a day and the alk and cal has held steady. Pretty sure its not testing equipment error as Ive verified it with chem tests as well.

Speedy · Aug 12, 2016

Hi could be some of the buffers youre using . A rise in co2 maybe lack of aeration . Check this helpful article out
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

Downbeach · Aug 12, 2016

What are you using to measure with? If a meter, when was the last time it was calibrated? How old is the probe? It sounds more like a testing issue. Any possibility of electrical interference?

Goodgreef · Aug 12, 2016

Actually Im happy. I figured out my pH meter is uncalibrated and my chemical test was expired and reading high. My actual pH after borrowing from a friend and buying a new kit is 8.25

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 13, 2016

High pH in the absence of dosing limewater is usually testing error.

Bob Escher · Aug 13, 2016

You could give me some mine is consistently in the 7.8 range. I use RO/DI water, run GFO, have purigen and polyfilter. Don't add anymore chemicals ( at the suggestion of many on this site ( which is good) my alk is a little high at 1400 but other parameters are good ( thank you Randy)

Goodgreef · Aug 15, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
High pH in the absence of dosing limewater is usually testing error.

Yes. I read that in an old article of yours and luckily I am not impatient and didn't dose anything to correct it before getting different testing equipment. Thanks.