[blueface]

hi.. im in the process of setting up my first reef system and im now got to something im confused about! so far my tank has been running for about 3 weeks now and ive done the basics live live rock mh lighting good water circulation and skimming. I live in an area that has soft water (i do use ro) and im finding the ph has a low initial level which needs to be buffered. the effect in the tank is that the ph raises and drops from 8.05 to 8.19 over the daily period. Ive been advised that to correct most of the ph issues along with the calcium levels im going to need to keep sps i require a calcium reactor or to add a kalk stirer? does anyone which would be best for my tank? advice please tnx...

[RCBruce]

I like my calcium reactor as it not only helps with calcium levels, but also keeps my alkalinity up. Alk. is linked to your ph. I was wondering if you checked your magnesium levels? I also use r/o water which strips mag. Low magnisium (below 1300) will make it almost impossible to keep up your cal. & alk.

[kolokefalo]

Before you spend the money on a calcium reactor and the requisite CO2 doser...try dosing Kalkwasser for your make up water. It is a balanced calcium solution which means it has equal parts of calcium and buffer in it. You dose it slowly through a dripper at night after lights out to maintain PH.

Then if your coral load can't keep up with the KW I would look into a reactor. Also as RCBruce said keeping your Magnesium levels will helps you greatly in keeping PH,and KH balanced.

Save your money for now and try the easy Kalwasser dosing in addition to your protein skimming. If your reef tank is only 3 weeks old let the skimmer run a little "wetter" than normal to pull out as many organics as it can. Those dissolved organics with a new tank can make it real tough to balance PH, KH, and Calcium levels.

[kh6sat]

I find calc reactors work better for me. It helps the pH and continually supplements the calcium that you'll need for your reef tank.

[reefnoob1991]

Or you can dose the tank yourself with any kent calcium buffer products...pH fluxuates during the day no matter what water you have but it seems like your pH stays within a fine range so I see no problem with that. You could always get seachem marine buffer, mine is always 8.2-8.3

[blueface]

thanks everyone for ur advice, ive now had a calc reactor running for two months now and all levels are sorted! ph between 8.15 and 8.41 daily. got to be honest i havnt checked my mg levels gonna buy a test kit tomorrow! bought an elegance coral today im in love already x