High pH? What to do?

I recently tested my water and the pH read at 8.6 on the scale (as high as the scale could go). What do I need to do to help keep this down? I added some pH buffer that came with the test kit (1 ml to 15 gallons, so I added 3.5 ml because we have about 55 total gallons running in the system. Maybe closer to 60) I'm not sure if that will help bring it down or what...the instructions pretty much said add this if your pH is messed up. Our pH has always read at around 8.2. Is it still "ok" at 8.6?

So I've got questions:

A) Did I do something OK with the buffer? or am I going to mess things up?
B) What causes pH to fluctuate? I know acids and bases, but what acids and bases.
C) What do I need to do? Someone told me to start checking and dosing calc, mag, etc at this stage. Should we start doing that?
D) I've also heard pH can fluctuate during the day. Is this that time of day?

Other params are:

Temp: 78.7
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0 (haha way to go CUC and Flippin Awesome protein skimmer!)
Alk: in the "normal" range on the test chart. Stupid doesn't doesn't give me a straight number. It was green though. ;D

So I'm kind of baffled...

ANY advice on ANYTHING for an aquarium at this stage is greatly appreciated guys! (and gals ) We've been Ammonia free for 1.5 weeks now, even after adding the shrimp and goby. It's going along nicely. Just hit a stumbling block, or so it seems.

 

Go to a restaurant that know you well. Tell them you want a couple cups of strictly seltzer water (i.e. no flavorings or syrups).

Dose slowly and keep taking pH readings. Get it down to 8.3.

 

define seltzer water? As in, like the carbonated stuff that comes out of coke machines? Minus the coke/Mountain dew/dr pepper/milk/whatever?

 

Yes

The bubbles are pure CO2. CO2 drives down pH. So dosing seltzer water lowers pH.

 

Well in that case, I can just clean out an empty milk jug and go grab as much as I need. I used to work at a birthday party play place, and my best friend's parents own the store. They keep their soda fountain machine thing clean. I would know. I used to have to clean it.

I'll just run by there tomorrow and get some. Is this all I have to do? Will my pH stay down for a while after this? Thanks for the info and advice!

 

The pH should eventually go down, do you have a live pH meter or do you use a test kit?

Test kits are very unreliable.

Try doing a small water change.

 

Test kit. I would love to switch over to a meter...my fish aren't showing signs of stress or anything so the pH doesn't seem too out of place.

 

pH meter is definetly a HUGE +, it was such a pain in the ass to use those test kits and the colors never matched.

Cant wait to get a calcium and conductivity monitor

I gota get a second job to support this habit...reefing is more expensive than a crack habit lol

 

The good thing is you don't have to worry about police coming in and busting up the place. Are there any Saltwater "Multimeters" out there? Something for everything?

 

Also, there is a relationship between Ca, Mg, dKh and pH. Get to know these parameters and how to adjust if you haven't already. You do need some good test kits. I like the Salifert brand. Just put it on Triplemom's list of things to buy for the tank. Also, here is an article you both should read.

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Rock on.......John.