pH and calcium

[bexi20]

my calcium at 320 when I raise it my pH go down to 7.8, when I add ph buffer to raise it up it go up then it come back down over night and stay at 7.8 the only time I can get my pH at 8.1 or 8.2 is my calcium at 320. please help me keep my pH around 8.0 and calcium at 450. I don't have a calcium reactor. my tank been running about 1.5 year
thanks

 

[IslandCrow]

How are you raising your calcium? There is no direct relationship between calcium and PH, so increasing your calcium should not raise or lower your PH. I think a better understanding of PH as well as proper supplementation of calcium and alkalinity will help you out. Read these articles and let us know if you have any questions:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

 

[bexi20]

That is what I though. I use the Aquvitro Ca calcification to raise the calcium, I had read the first link before and just finish the second one. my PH now is 7.83 I assume it's ok long as it's in the 7.8 to 8.4 but at night it's go down to 7.6. My alk is at 10 drop it's in the safe range I think. Thanks

 

[IslandCrow]

Yeah, your PH is definitely low, but not dangerously so. Alkalinity is fine too. I'm not familiar with Aquavitro Calcification, but from the information on their website, it doesn't look any better or worse than other calcium supplements (I don't understand why they choose to use gluconate in their formula, but I'm no chemist either). The guys in the chemistry forum may know more, but it definitely shouldn't have any direct effect on your PH.

320 calcium also isn't really that bad. You aren't going to get optimum calcification until you get it up above the 350-380 range, but I don't believe 320 is low enough to be in any way detrimental.

 

[reefworm]

agreed. 320 is not harmful, just won't facilitate growth the way higher saturation levels will. Do read the articles IslandCrow was good enough to link for you. Randy is the man on this stuff.

 

[afboundguy]

What is your mag at? If it's not in check that could be one reason for the weird balancing act...