Very, Very High ph

[Cweasel]

A little short history about my tank. It was thriving and doing well until we moved 2 years ago. 40 gallon breeder, 10 gallon sump, ice cap k-50 skimmer. Only thing I've been dosing is vinegar to lower ph. Tank used to be on main floor at old house. Now it's in a completely finished basement. Ph is through the roof, only blastos are doing great and others are not happy. What I've done so far is, pulled ceiling tiles down and blocked / insulated all runs / chases to attic. Checked / sealed glass block windows.
I'm in search for a long term solution, if possible. From my research, usually you have low ph in a basement.
I've also had water tested through ICP Analysis. Everything was fine except for no iodine.

 

[Cweasel]

Forgot to mention, basement temperature stays around 70° farenheit, 50%-55% humidity.

 

[redfishbluefish]

What is "through the roof"? What's the actually number and how are you measuring it? Also, what's your alkalinity and calcium?

 

[Cweasel]

I've been in the hobby for 8 years now, and I use API for basics, and salifert for po4 and mag. Red sea for iodine.

API for ph, and through the roof is 8.8 or higher. It's purple as purple gets for API.
Calcium 400, Alkalinity 7.
I must admit, I'm not 1 for testing as often as I should, but I learned how to read corals and if I see stuff not happy, I then get testing.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Assuming your alkalinity is below 14dKh, a pH of 8.8 is impossible. I suspect you pH kit is bad or not very accurate. Suggest having your water tested by some other means or taking a sample to your LFS to have them check.

 

[Cweasel]

That was my same thought, I did purchase a new api test kit locally, same results. Nearest real reef store is 45min, 1 way. And with work there hours don't work for me. They did give me a suggestion over the phone on mixing a batch of saltwater and test ph. Ph reading was 7.4
But by dosing vinegar, I get my ph 7.8-8.0, but it creeps or shoots right back up within a couple of days.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I do not trust the API results. Not the best of kits.

 

[Hitman]

Never trust a API kit.

 

[Cweasel]

Tested the other day with both API and a Milwaukee hand held pen meter. Both were at 8.4. That's 3 days after dosing 30ml of vinegar a day for 2 days

 

[mitch91175]

I wouldn't mess with it anymore if you are around 8.4. Some hobbyists would die to have a consistent pH in that range, myself included.

 

[Cweasel]

How long before corals get used to it? Newer corals seem to be doing okay, but my older ones still won't fully open. They've been in for about 1 year now. The ph at old house used to be between 7.6 to 7.8
Good thing is i haven't lost anything else, my new stylos are encrusted to rock already. And my ultra bubble tip is doing great.

 

[mitch91175]

How long before corals get used to it? Newer corals seem to be doing okay, but my older ones still won't fully open. They've been in for about 1 year now. The ph at old house used to be between 7.6 to 7.8
Good thing is i haven't lost anything else, my new stylos are encrusted to rock already. And my ultra bubble tip is doing great.

Just keep the tank stable and everything will sort itself out