My alkalinity is crazy high HELP!!!

After just losing two newly purchased LPS corals, I checked my alkalinity level and OMG is was 10-11dKH

I'm struggling with my pH at a constant 7.8 but have been unsuccessful to try and get it raised. My salinity is 1.022 and temp 76-78F.

I purchased this tank 5 months ago from an individual that had it as MDT for 2 yrs but wanted to upgrade. So I took original water, LR, and sand bed.

After 3 weeks of cycling it and gettig my water parameters, I've since added one occ clown, one coral beauty, one BTA, and two candy cane frags. Also have 5 peppermint shrimp, 4 hermit crabs, and a few snails.

I just need some help and guidance I guess. I get so many different things told to me by a few of my LFS.
Thanks so much

 

I can't comment on the alkalinity, not much of an expert there so I'll leave that to someone else, but for the other issues:

1. What have you done to try to raise your Ph? If a Ph+ solution didn't work, did you try baking soda? And if all else fails, what about water changes?
2. How often & what % of water have you been changing?
3. Salinity is a little low, try to raise it to 1.025-1.026 or higher over a week or so, 1.022 is too low for corals.
3. Temp is in a good range, wouldn't worry about that
4. What are your nitrates at?

 

Your alk is fine, that is a normal range LOL. Your salinity is way too low though. However, the fact that your pH is a bit low with that alkalinity level seems surprising. Also, it seems surprising that your alk is high with salinity that low. Are you dosing alk? If not, you may want to check your salinity and alk again, with other methods (i.e. different test kits, calibrated refractometer for salinity, don't trust hydrometers).

 

I am doing a 10g water change once a week. I use Instant Ocean salt (pink & white box).

I have been advised by LFS not to use any chems to correct my pH and with my salinity just try and adjust on my next water change by adding a little more salt to my normal measurements.

My nitrates are between 5-10 currently.

My BTA is extremely stressed and looks horrible. Very limp and his tentacles are not full and puffy like normal. Could it be my alk causing this?
I was measuring about 7 dKH last month when I had LFS test my water sample. Everything then look really good with exception of the pH still 7.8.

 

most people add a BTS 6-8mos after the cycle, it needs an established tank.
alk is fine, 7-12dkh is fine.
ph is in the low side, at 7.6 something needs to be done. good ph is between 7.8-8.3.
you might want to try a refuge with chaeto to aerate the water, or open a window near your tank to let CO2 out.

 

Start with the easy stuff. Get your salinity up to 1.026 and see where you are it and as other have said your Alk is fine.

 

alk is just fine. I try to keep mine at 11-13 in my tank. You do need to bring up the salinity as said previosly. Just remember to do it slow. When you do water changes have your new water be at 1.026 or so and gradually bring it up
When are you testing your ph. It will always be lower in am when the lights first come on