High PH Level

I just tested the chemical levels of my new reef tank. It is a wet/dry setup with live rock as the filter. What I discovered is that the PH level is between 8.4 and 8.6 level. Everything else (Nitrite, Nitrate, Amonia, Phostphate) is well below the charts. Since I am new to this, wasn't sure if this is ok or not.

 

A lot of test kits say 8.2 is ideal, but for reefs you really want to shoot for 8.4. So you might really be okay.

 

the range is 8.0-8.5 so dont panic!
Is your calcium with in range?

 

If the bacterial population is still growing because the tank is new, that's not uncommon. As their numbers grow, there will be an automatic lowering of your pH.

 

So what is the time frame when the tank normalizes? My tank was started about 3 months ago. I have also been using the PH buffer per new water changes. Calcium level is perfect.

 

My guess is the buffer is playing a part or the freshwater you use is hard. Have you tested the makeup water on it's own? How about alk?

 

Water comes from an RO unit from my local Saltwater Aquarium Store. Alk is ok. All the other test comes back perfect. Just the PH that was off.

 

Well it's not really that high, but what you could do is a control test so you can check your color reading with the controled reading - most kits come with a solution that is made to produce a certain number. If you do that, you can verify the 8.5 reading you are getting.

 

PH Level finally came down...

Breakdown:

Nitrate < 10
Nitrite < 0.22
Ammonia 0.0
PH 8.2
Salinity 1.020