KENT Salt PH False Advertising or?

[ds38]

So I've struggled to maintain over 8 Ph level on my 300 gallon reef aquarium. I think it's because of the overstocking of fish. I have CO2 scrubbers too! But still, even when I test brand new water before a water change, 55 gallons worth, mixing the salt in, waiting some hours, the Ph test shows 7.80

The KENT salt bucket says it will be 8.2 to 8.3 after mixing.

However, my digital checker shows PH is 7.80
1.025 SG


Why do they say 8.2 to 8.3? I think this is the same situation even with Red Sea Salt, but I didn't actually check the PH level of newly mixed water, before doing water change, when I last had red sea salt

 

[redfishbluefish]

My first choice would not be blaming the salt.

I'd first look at your pH meter....has it been calibrated with pH7 and pH10 solutions? Is it old? I'd also verify by either having a friend measure with their unit of take a water sample to your LFS.

Next, I'd do a bubble test with saltwater. And I realize you are using a CO2 absorbant (that doesn't last long). Measure pH of some saltwater. Bubble the saltwater for an hour or so....preferably outside. Measure pH again. If pH has gone up....it's a CO2 issue.