Things are just not right here....

[Carz]

I used to think I was good at this but things have not been right since I did a redo of my system. The system will be 2 years in April. Its 225 gallons with a 50 gallon sump. I had the vermitted snails and after 6 years I decided to redo everything and go bare bottom. Some corals are not opening and not growing while others are and I really do not have anything difficult. My hammers are fluffly and fine. My purple stylo and mushrooms are the same. My Alveopora's are holding tight and not reaching out. My trumpets are not full and puffy. My duncans are closed and a lot has died off. The zoas are closed mostly. I am running T5/AI primes. bulbs are fresh. Most of the corals are in the 200 par range except the Stylo which is higher on purpose. My readings are as follows:

PH= 9.89
Salinty= 1.025
Temp= 77.9
Alk= 8.9
Cal= 420
Mag= 1320
Nitrate= 13.1
Phos= .10

Just trying to get things back to normal but not sure where to start. Any help???

 

[Ryan Souza]

I'm sure it's a typo, but ph at 9.89 would def mess things up.

 

[Carz]

just checked....not a typo

 

[Ryan Souza]

Are you seeing precipitation in the tank at all? What instrument are you using to measure ph. Maybe @Randy Holmes-Farley can chime in. I'm inclined to believe this is testing error, but if it is correct I would say it's causing issues.

 

[Shirak]

I don't think it's possible to hit a pH of 9.89 unless you are direct dosing tons of calcium hydroxide.

My guess would be feeding? Pictures of the tank and some of the difficulty corals might help. What are you feeding/dosing? Fish bioload? Corals can use the ammonia directly from fish waste.

 

[Carz]

PH meter is calibrated and very accurate. I only feed 2 frozen cubes per day and some nori.

 

[Shirak]

Might want to read this thread. Something about an electrical ground problem and crazy high pH reading. Have you tried taking a sample of water out of the tank and checking with the probe after confirming it is reading pH 7 and 10 calibration fluid correctly?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ph-is-at-9-4.189371/

 

[Shirak]

Looks like a good amount of fish. I don't see much coralline for 2yr old tank. What about lights and par?
Water changes to replenish minor elements? Dosing any supplements? Nitrates is a little low IMO so could still be a nutrition thing or possibly just one of a a few things that are adding up to bigger issues.

 

[DanyL]

I find it hard to believe you PH is that high, as it would start precipitating at much lower levels, and you’d not only notice the precipitation itself but also the steadily declining Alk and Ca values.

I tend to agree with Shirak - it’s likely EMI - electro magnetic interference in or around your tank that may skew the measurement.
Taking a cup of water away from your tank would likely result in a more accurate reading.

 

[Carz]

I will try that later today. Never heard of that but willing to try anything. I dose Alk and Cal only. My PH meter reads correctly in all 3 calibration fluids but that was done on the counter away from the tank.

 

[Carz]

Took a reading with the PH meter in a glass away from the tank and PH is 8.1. Makes me feel better

 

[Shirak]

Took a reading with the PH meter in a glass away from the tank and PH is 8.1. Makes me feel better

Maybe you have some stray voltage in the tank?

 

[Carz]

So the PH is kinda in range. Any thoughts why things are not opening up??

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

200 PAR might be too strong for some of the LPS...