raising ph

[dshawls]

i use RO water that i buy from either HEB or wal mart. according to the test kit i have, my ph is sitting somewhere between 7.8 and 8.0. before i rush to get some type of buffer i plan on going to texas tropicals and having my water tested. i will probably purchase a 2nd test kit, different brand, just for a 2nd immediate opinion. ive seen good revieiws on salifert tests, so i will probably go that route.

now assuming my ph is low, what buffer would i use to raise it to 8.0-8.1?

a little information about my tank:

24# cured live rock
20# live sand
80watts pc light
temp - 78F
ammonia - >.25 (im about to do a water change. im assuming this is from the bag of live sand i bought that probably had some die off in it)
nitrites - undetectable
nitrates - undetectable

i do not dose any chemicals right now and would like to avoid that if i can help it. should i get my water elsewhere? im not sure how reliable the techs are in maintaining the water machines at HEB and wal mart.

for salt i am using instant ocean.

[Ping]

To be successful in our hobby you need to dose chemicals. It takes a lot of research to understand the chemistry of seawater and the link below is a good place to start.

The 3 parts of the B ionic system of chemicals is easy to use, safe and very effective. Once you have a good handle on maintaining the chemical balance you may choose less expensive options eg: Kalkwaser and homemade 2 part solutions.

If all you want to do is raise the PH and are not concerned with the other parameters baking soda will work.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm