low ph, high alk???????

[Lizard333]

I have just started a new 24 Nano cube delexe. I started with 18 gallons of distilled water and mixed the water with the new marine pro salt. Unfortuantley, the ph is down at 7.8, and the alk is off the chart! My ammonia is now around 4 ppm, and everything else is still at zero. My sg is at 1.23. I dosed with kent marine super buffer to try to get the ph up around 8.2, and after two days, it still hasn't gone up. What am I doing wrong???


HEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek1: :eek1:

 

[Konrade]

Buffer has never done anything for me, a sand bed helps more. Do you have lr in there? If it is uncured there could have been a massive die off, causing your ammonia spike. Could you provide what steps you took in setting it up?

 

[Lizard333]

I have a deep sand bed, 4 inches, I plan on having jawfish. I have just recently put 22 pound of Fiji rock in my tank and yes I am experiencing my ammonia spike. I don't know if I am worrying to much or should I just let is slide. My sand is agranite (don't know if I spelled that right but I am sure that you know what I mean. the tank has only been up and running for four days now. Any help I can get will be greatly appreciated. Thank ahead of time.

 

[aquaman67]

I would just slow down and don't worry about pH until after your cycle finishes.

7.8 is not a 911 type emergency.

You can cause more harm chasing numbers.

What are you measuring pH with and what time of day?

pH is highest right before lights out and lowest first thing in the morning.

So if you are going from 7.8 in the morning to 8.1 in the evening, that's fine.

This is the only thing you need to dose while cycling...

 

[dead beat reef]

check out the reef chem. fourm. dr ron can help you out.
G.F.I. dbr

 

[reg828]

what test kit are you using? dont panic 7.8 is ok. the best buffer and ph adjuster i use is kent marine super buffer dkh. you can buy it at petco. you have to worry about ammonia. if you can, try adjusting the salt to 1.025 or 1.026, maybe that will help with ph. also, wait till your tank has been cycled.