High pH and Low Alkalinity

[Medicine Man]

I recently purchased many different kinds of LPS corals along with 2 SPS corals and noticed that my Ca+ level started to drop so I upgraded from maintenance Ca+ to B-Ionic 2 part system to raise my alkalinity (2.5) to at least 3.0 and my Ca+ to at least 400. My starting Ca+ level was 350 with Salinity 1.26 via refractory meter. I started dosing equal parts of system 1 (alk) and system 2 (Ca). My pH has always been about 8.4 but after dosing with the B-Ionic it is now 8.6. What is the best way to lower my pH back to 8.2 while raising my alkalinity and Ca+ level. I have 125 gal display with 20 gallon sump and 20 gallon fuge. TIA Oh also forgot to mention that I started trying to buffer my RO/DI topoff water with Kent Pro buffer / DKH.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The regular version of B-ionic does tend to raise pH.

The options for dealing with it are more aeration (which will bring down pH quite a bit), add the B-ionic in the early morning when pH is lowest, use B-ionic Bicarbonate (which won't raise pH but is more expensive), switch to my DIY two part system using baking soda which won't raise pH, or use soda water or vinegar on the tank directly to reduce pH.

These articles may help:

Solutions to pH Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...e2002/chem.htm

A Homemade Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Additive System
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...l2004/chem.htm

I'd try to stick to balanced calcium and alkalinity additives unless you know that you need a buffer and not calcium.