Fluval 13.5 Cannot Keep the pH up!

[borrowedthemoon]

Problem: Almost every single day I check my pH, and it is low at roughly 7.0-7.5. So I add SeaChem Reef Buffer to a half a bottle of tank water, mix and pour into tank. I check pH again around an hour later, and pH is where I want it at ≈ 8.1. Check pH following day, 7.0-7.5. Add SeaChem, test 1 hour later, pH at 8.1…
I have done this basically every day for the last week. I open my window during the day now, thinking it could be co2.. no change. Can anyone please chime in on this one and explain to me what the heck is going on, but more importantly how to fix it??

(Tank stats below)

My fluval 13.5 is quite new; it’s only about a month old.
Livestock
3 snails (various)
1 emerald crab
1 long tentacle anemone
1 kenya tree
2 banggai cardinals

I use instant ocean salt, RO water from LFS, live rock and live sand. Tank has aquatic life 115 protein skimmer, intank chamber 2 basket with filter media that came with the tank, upgraded return pump to sicce 1.0, and hygger mini wavemaker.

Nitrates ≈ 10
Nitrites ≈ 0
Ammonia ≈ 0

**Thank You R2R Community. <3 you all for taking your time and spending some of it on me and my aquarium!**

 

[TokenReefer]

It just doesn't work like that unfortunately. Too bad Seachem didn't explain it as well as Randy did here

pH And The Reef Aquarium

For many aquarists, pH is not something that they have much experience with aside from their aquarium. For many, pH is almost a black box measurement: something to be considered, but whose physical meaning makes little sense to them. This...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[ryanjohn1]

The tank is very new for the stocking you have. You are going to see swings.

 

[TokenReefer]

Fwiw I got duped by them as well early on