I have a newly set-up 65 gal tank. Put in 80 lbs of live rock 40 lbs of live sand. Have a etss sump with a etss reef devil skimmer. The tank has been up for 10 days now. Ammonia is low -.25 nitrite is -.25 my alkalinty is at 6.0 mEq/L but I can't get my ph over 8.0 I have used Kent Marine Aquarium ph buffer with no help, I have used Kent Marine Superbuffer-dKH with no help I bought some Kent Marine Expert series Pro Buffer dKH but have not used yet. Any suggestions. PH sould be about 8.4 correct?

try aiming a powerhead at the surface of the water to create some waves. that should airate the water and raise it up.

Bobby brings up a good point. In addition, a cycling tank can have a somewhat suppressed pH. Have you checked your calcium and magnesium? Alk, calcium and mag are all closely related, and if one is out of whack, it will be hard to keep the others in check

Consider this Randy Holmes Farley article on correcting pH problems...

Solutions to pH problems (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/chem.htm)

and this article on Ca and Alk

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems (http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm)

Happy reading!

In the winter, when our homes are closed up, it can be difficult to maintain the PH much above the 8.0 range. IMO as long as its not below 7.8 I would not go adding a bunch of stuff, especially in a cycling/new tank.

I would not worry much about it until after your ammonia and nitrites drop to zero. Closed up houses can contain enough CO2 that it is difficult to keep the pH up. I have found it I just loosen the window from the top seal in the frame that it makes a difference.

Update: Checked calcium and it was low at about 300. So I put some in and rechecked ph before lights went out and is at about 8.3-8.4. So everything is good. ALK will drop by itself over time.