Buffer being a bummer! (ahhhaha, I got jokes!)

[jizzi1123]

Hello all,
I am having an extremly difficult time keeping the buffering capacity and coincidentally the ph value high enouigh for reef standards. Ok, so I have a 90gal reef tank (4 years old) and even with trying all different products (Pro Buffer DkH and the like) I cant get the KH above 7 or 8 and the PH seems to linger around 8.0. I know this is not terribly bad since I only have a half dozen corals 1-4" but I know it does have some effect since I have a decent amount of coraline algae and about 20% of it will bleach out and come back when conditions are ideal. I litterally pour the maximum amount of buffer in a day, everyday and still can't maintain. I tried taking out about 15% of my gravel and replaced it with fresh sand and crushed coral and that didnt seem to help much either. I do 10 gal. water change once a week and the tank is topped off automatically with my RO/DI unit. I tried dosing kalkwasser and that sucked because those kent dosers with the hand adjustable "I.V." type line would always clog after a couple days or maybe a couple of weeks. Plus when it did work it didnt seem to help that much. I would greatly appreciate any ideas as why this is happening and some possible solutions. Thanks for any help.

 

[bill120mph]

what are your other parameters? Calcium? Have you read the threads about opening your windows?

 

[biggyclops]

8.0 is fine.. check this out.. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

 

[afboundguy]

What brand salt you using to mix fresh saltwater? If it's really low in Alk that could keep it low...

And +1 on what are the calc and mag readings?

 

[jbishop]

What are you using for test kits?

 

[stingythingy45]

You need to check the trinity.

Alk as well as Calcium and lastly Magnesium.
From what I've read low Mg. levels can make the other two parameters hard to maintain.
I try to maintain a Mg. level of at least 1250 ppm to 1500ppm.
Fwiw,don't chase the PH around.Just get the big three in the correct parameters.

 

[jizzi1123]

I have an American Marine PH monitor which I calbirate every couple weeks. I am using SeaChem reef salt. I used to use coralife or even reef crystals and it worked out great I dont know why Ive been using SeaChem I guess I thought it would be better.

Calcium: 450ppm
Phosphate: .25
Nitrate: undetectable
Ammonia: undetectable
Nitrite: undetectable
KH: 7
PH: 8.00

Anyone have preferences on salt brands? Also off topic, How do I find threads that Ive started or even posts that Ive made without specifically searching for them. Its hard keeping track of all your threads and posts if you cant see a list of them. Thanks everyone!

 

[stingythingy45]

You really should check MG to see where that's at.
I use a blend of Tropic Marin and Instant ocean.
At the top of the thread you'll see"thread tools".
Just "subscribe" to the thread.Then when you enter"user CP" it should be listed there.

 

[jbishop]

Another way you could do it would be to click on your name in a post (such as this one) then click statistics and it allows you to view all of your posts or all of the threads you have started.

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/member.php?u=5521

 

[bill120mph]

I Use tropic marin Reef formula, I did a gradual switch from Instant ocean and I cant believe the difference, in keeping the Parameters correct and coral growth.