Ph Level and Reef Buffer

[hskim]

I've been using Reef Buffer since the Ph level went to 8.0 from 8.3 6 months ago. Ph even went to 7.9 once while I was using reef buffer.I got a direction from seachem support to use reef buffer when I asked about how to deal with the low Ph.

Anyway, the Ph never seems to go over 8.1 even after using Reef Buffer for 6 months. My Ph at this moment is 8.05, Alkalinity is 3.5 meq/l, Magnesium is 1200 mg/l, Calcium is 410 mg/l and Strontium level is 5mg/l. Is there something that I'm missing? I even cleaned out every possible sign of collection of organic dirt from the bottom of the tank and from the rocks a month ago using Hot Magnum filter.

Can you recommend any other way or product that I can use raise the Ph?

[Tech Support JR]

What are you using to measure your pH? You could raise the Mg slightly though I would think at 1200 you would be good.

[hskim]

I'm using SeaChem's Marine PH and Alkalinity Test kit. I also, some times, use Salifert’s PH Test kit and they both give same results.

I don’t put in any Magnesium additives and the Magnesium level seems to stay around 1200mg/l all by it self. Since I put in Reef Advantage Calcium which has Magnesium, I don’t really worry about Magnesium level. Or do I have to? I use Reef Status Magnesium test kit.

[Tech Support JR]

Magnesium plays a critical role in pH management - at least in a reef aquarium. Magnesium adjusts the pK of the water upward allowing for your pH to be more easily maintained at a higher level. Magnesium also allows your calcium to remain more soluble in the water. Consequently the calcium is then more available to the corals.

1200 is not a bad level. You could try raising the level a bit though and this might help with you pH. You might look to the Reef Advantage Magnesium to do so. Reef Advantage Calcium does add a small amount of magnesium but for an appreciable rise in level you would need a magnesium specific additive. It is likely with a higher magnesium you may find your pH begin to stay a bit higher.