Ph and Alk

[Uncle Eddie]

My ph is at 8.5 and my alk is at 6.9 how do I raise alk and lower ph?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My ph is at 8.5 and my alk is at 6.9 how do I raise alk and lower ph?

I would retest and confirm the alk. What are you using to do dose alk/cal. what time of day are you testing ph?

 

[Uncle Eddie]

hi,
new build, 3 months old thinking about dosing to get parameters right. new to reefing and have only the vaguest idea of what I am doing

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The pH is not likely that high in reality, but is fine if it is.

You can boost alk with baking soda.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

have only the vaguest idea of what I am doing

8 years in, ME TOO!

These will help.https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/randys-reef-chemistry-articles.174821/
Look at the basics first, the rest get pretty involved(8 years in and Im starting to understand it lol)
In short, one of the best things to reset the cal and alk is some water changes. Its likely the demand for dosing cal/alk are quite low.

IMO, for newer tanks and newer reefers a lower alk 7 to 9 is easier to maintain and also as the nutrients may be quite low(hopefully ) less of a hazard of "bleaching and alk burn" esp on acquisition of new corals.