does salinity affect ph?

[acpoweradapter]

Hey, i've always kept my salinity around1.023. I don't really know why I do, its just what I do. But my ph has always been a little low around 8 or so. Sometimes 8.1 but never lower than 7.9. Is this because the salinity is so low? If I brought it up to 1.025 would it bring the ph up too? The calcium is 480 and the alk is 8. I don't test mag because I don't really think I my tank will use it much. I only have a few corals. Anyways, would the higher salt level help at all or should I focus on something else to bring it up?

 

[Playa-1]

8 is a good ph number and you don't have any reason to be concerned. The 1.023 salinity reading should not have any affect on your ph.
Ph is often a misunderstood water parameter. People get it in their head that it needs to be a certain number and then they start trying to force the ph by with additives and buffers. Before you know it you water parameters are all screwed up and you've got real problems.
Normal ph is 7.8 to 8.4, Only when it falls outside of that range should you be concerned. If ph does fall outside of that range then think of it as a symptom of other water quality issues. That's when you take action and figure out what is causing the ph to be too low or too high. Ph issues are usually associated with poor aeration and gas exchange.

Here's some good info on the subject:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/chem.htm

 

[rustybucket145]

You're fine. Actually ph swings throughout the day... so while you say it's 8... it might have been 8 when you tested, but it may be lower in the morning and higher in the afternoon.

 

[acpoweradapter]

I use a ph probe to monitor it all day so its usually 8 most of the day. Thanks for the help/