Quote Originally Posted by cvonseggern
3. Boost alk and pH (pH is 7.8 or so during the day, which is probably part of the problem; alk is about 14 dKH, Ca is off the chart).
I don't see how this is possible. You can't have both super high alkalinity and high calcium at the same time. If you did your tank would look like a North Dakota blizzard.

As Richard said, it would be pretty hard to have your alkalinity that high and pH at 7.8 too. I would suggest getting someone else to test your water with their kits to verify your test data.