Maintaining pH and calcium

[weepingtuna]

This is my first actual post and I have a serious question about some chemistry characteristics. In general I am having a hard time getting my pH above 8.0 and keeping it there. Also my calcium will not stay above 320 ppm.

My tank is a 55 gallon reef tank. Consists of mainly LPS, fish, green carpet, large ricordia shrooms, and a clam. I also have over 100 pounds of live rock. The temp is 80, salt is 1.024, pH 7.8-8.0, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all at 0.0. I do use a bit of an older style of filtration. I use power heads that circulate water through the coral bed along with a canister filter rated for a 90 gallon that has bio media and a UV sterilizer. There is also a protein skimmer rated for a 90 gallon (not sure of the brand). This system is workign for me. I am basing this on my much success with reproduction of the toadstool, ricordieas, and the growth of my clam and the age of the carpet anenome.

I am wondering why I am having issues with keeping my pH and calcium up. I have tried adding different types of buffers and calciums from different makers. Recently I am using a two part system. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Wiskey]

What is your ALK? That has a direct effect on PH, and your ability to maintain CA, your MAG level would be helpfull to know too. Your Clam will quickly use CA and ALK for it's growth, and you will need to buffer these. There are plenty of products available, but if you have a light load (No SPS) I would just use the comertial 2 part. If you have a higher load it may be worth your while to make your own 2 part.

HTH,
Whiskey

[Kevin1000]

In general there is nothing wrong with a PH level of 8.0 ... however, knowing your alk level would be nice.

As far as calcium goes ... the inability to raise calc levels is sometimes attributed to low magnesium levels .. sometimes attributed to people trying to micro manage chemistry which can end up precipitating out calc +/or alk. In general your striving for a "balanced" tank .. that normally equates to a certain ratio of calc to alk. A series of good sized water changes will normally restore this balance and if your drip kalkwasser (which is considered a balanced calc/alk additive) the tank should keep its balance (oversimplified but pretty much on target)

Here's a link which describes normal water parameters .. includes separate links which will help if the parameters are off target.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

Here's another link which is a chemistry calculator ... allows you to adjust either alk , calc or mag to achieve a particular target and gives you a reasonable guesstimate of what "balance" s/b --- just remember to use actual water volume vs the tank size.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html

Hope this helps.