New frags !!

Measure pH the same type each day. Morning just when the lights come on will be your lowest value. At the end of the lighting period the highest.

Alkalinity value would be more valuable. It's a measurement of the waters ability to maintain a stable pH, the water's hardness so to speak.

I would not be too concerned about a pH of 8 until you know the values for Ca/alk/mag. Those will be the important values for corals. A pH of 8 for fish is more than adequate.

Remember when you add buffer you drive down the Ca level to some degree and a low magnesium level (unusual) creates or increase the instability of the Ca/alk levels.

The link below will be of assist throughout your hobby experience.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

A local guy is gonna try and nurse theses corals back to health. I'm going back to FOWLR for now until my tank is more established and I can get some good test kits. Thanks to everyone trying to help me figure this out.