Alk and Calcium out of wack

[masonite]

My calcium level is fine - 450
Phosphate shows 0
PH is 8.2
Temp - 80
Salinity - .025
mg-1320
ALK ---13!! WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON???

I do 55 gallon water changes every week without fail using reef crystals.
I turned down my ca reactor to raise the PH in the chamber from 6.3 to 6.8 so as not to dissolve as much in the reactor. I plan on setting the reactor when calcium hits 400. Will this bring down ALK?
The colors in the tank are beginning to fade a little- maybe its just me, but maybe its not. Could the high alk level be causing this?

Tank size - 120" x 36" x 30" with 96" x 20" x 20" sump/refugium - chaeto, dsb, and mangoves
CA reactor
Phosphate reactor
G5 skimmer
4-400 watt MH with 12K reeflux
dolphin 3600 main - too large for running thru sump...I know
2-Tunze 6105 powerheads with controller
2-Closed loops
Mixed reef, Huge caps, huge leathers, huge anemones, very few fish - 17 total fishes. Non are large - medium sized naso is the largest one.

 

[sarmo]

i wish i knew more so that i could help. the only thing i can offer are questions, have you ran the ALK test a couple times? have you checked your test kit? what is your Magnesium level, my numbers go a bit astray when my Mag is low.

sorry for your problem but i would love to see a few pics of your tank!!!!

 

[crvz]

I do suspect that the dialing up the pH in the reactant chamber will also help in bringing down alk a bit, but the ration of alk/calc fall depends on the composition of your calcium reactor media. But, a dkh of 13 is not that far out of the norm, and with a calcium as high as 450ppm I would suspect you have been overdoing it with the reactor for a while now. I would also question your magnesium level, as thats an important variable of water chemistry (particularly in relation to calc/alk).

Whatever you do, do it slowly, as large alk swings can have adverse affects on stony corals in my experience.

 

[daks]

Reef Crystals is known to have a high Alk and calcium around 350... 13 is not that high unless you are running a ULNS

 

[ndh78]

I have to run my ph at 7.1-7.2 to keep alk in check I still have good calcium. You will prolly find that upping flow a little to raise the ph will get you there. You can always add calcium in your top off water.