pH is 8.43, please help

[bluespotjawfish]

As many of you know I always have a problem getting my tank's pH above 7.8-7.9. Last WC (a week ago) I switched to Reef Crystals and it has done better (8.0-8.2).

Last night I put more kalk in the reactor, but hooked up the hoses in reverse so got a strong dose of kalk in my sump, which raised the pH. Fortunately I was right there so I caught it right away (but in the process sprayed most of my frontroom and myself with the stuff - don't laugh, it wasn't funny). Anyway, I grabbed some vinegar and dropped it to about 8.2. Today it has stayed around 8.2, but just now I notice the freaking thing is at 8.43. I have added vinegar to get it down to 8.4 but I am scared to drop it any more. This time of day is the highest pH level, so it will drop overnight some.

Prior to the kalk situation these were my parameters yesterday:
Alk 136
Calc 425
Mag 1305
pH 8.02
Temp 79.1
Salinity 1.025

Today (after the kalk situation last night, before the addition of any addiitonal vinegar today):
Alk 148
Calc 415
Mag 1350
pH 8.43
Temp 79.5
Salinity 1.025

I have disconnected the kalk for now. Should I do anything else? Fish/corals all seem ok, but I'm scared!

PS - the pH probe and pen were calibrated last week. I also used the pen to confirm the high reading.

Some additional history that might be worth mentioning... With IO to keep the pH in normal range I have kept the alk/calc quite high. Here are some old tests (7/28) that represent what parameters of my tank were with IO and supplements in addition to kalk.
Alk 196
Calc 440
Mag 1350
pH 7.8-7.9 typical
Temp/Salinity the same

[Dentoid]

My advice is let it come down naturally. Too much manipulation of pH is going to be more detrimental than the one time kalk overdose. Your Alk/Ca/Mg in all those tests are within normal limits. Stop fussing with it.

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks Scott.

[Kirblit]

I also notice that my tanks PH gets up to around 4-4.2 with the use of the Kalk by the end of the day but I haven't seen any side effects from it. I know that if it get too high that the cal and alk can precipitate out of solution but I don't think that happens till about 8.5 or so. I have also been wondering if PH of 8.4 is normal for people that are using kalk.

[Woodstock]

PH of 7.8 to 8.5 is okay and no action is required.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

[bluespotjawfish]

Ok I feel better. I have read that article so many times I should have it memorized. I've just never had this side of it happen before.

[Woodstock]

Me too! I'm glad I can't wear out internet pages

[bluespotjawfish]

[goldenmean]

if in the future you really do need to lower PH a bit.
Leave the lights off
along with a WC -
I think that should lower it some.

[flricordia]

That is an ideal ph and with a salinity of 35ppt you will be duplicating a natural reef. I have always strived to run my ph at 8.4-8.5 and salinity at 35ppt and have no trouble with unwanted algea and really don't remember the last ime I lost a coral due to water quality.
I would leave it there. JMO.

[bluespotjawfish]

Thanks again everyone. With the lights off now for a while it is at 8.27 and the ATO/kalk has been back on for a few hours. I assume it will continue to drop a bit throughout the night.

[prow]

gald to here things are returing back to normal.

[bluespotjawfish]

pH is 8.14 this morning with the kalk dripping overnight. Lights are back on so it should start to raise a bit from here. Hope it stays up like this.

[swissgaurd]

PH of 8.4 for some reason its been a tough year. im almost there.
my xenia used to grow fast at 8.4

you acted perfect, if you didnt act it would have went sky high


vic

[prow]

just for future ref. no worries on the alk going that high. even if it went above 8.5, most likely the only thing that would happen is you would lose some Ca and alk from it precipitating out of solution. no big. now if it was a chronic issue you might have something to worry about or if it went way way up.