Couple Questions

[lostoften]

My kh tested low, and other test were fine. LFS said that the pH testing I used has a huge varience. What is the best way to measure pH? I see that there are controllers and probes available, but is there a more accurate test kit than API's saltwater and reef test kits? If a probe/controller is best, any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

My latest testings were:
sg 1.026
pH 8.2
NO2, NO3, PO4 and NH3 all 0
Ca 520
KH 7 (125.3 ppm) was 6 yesterday

Is this something to be concerned about, or is this somewhat normal? I did a water change today and I believe thats what helped raise the KH.

Lastly, should I also be testing Mg?

Thanks,
Lost

 

[Kingpin616]

Ph will be dependent on ca, kh, mg, co2 levels. It really only helps when dosing or preventing overdosing. My Ph goes up .3 if windows are open. Your kh is a little low probably because your ca is high. This why you will see to parts "balanced". Nothing here is tragic. Most tank crashes I've read about are because of over-reacting to these numbers. Do randy-holmes farley searches. He writes many good articles for reefkeeping. I keep it simple. kalk and two part. I rarely check because numbers are always the same.

 

[lostoften]

Thanks for the response, everyother time I have tested numbers have been normal. I will just keep an eye on it.