In article ,
"Chris Taylor" wrote:

Bring the SG/Salinity up first, this should improve the PH. You'll need to
do it slowly, ie. 1/1000 point per day over a few days. Not sure what the
conventional wisdom dictates regarding the final salinity level in your part
of the world; your LFS should be able to advise on their conditions as a
guideline. My tank stays at about 1.024.

Thanks, Chris. I didn't realize I was aiming too low, salinity-wise.

Once the Salinity is good you can focus on a good buffer if needed, I use
Tropic Marin triple buffer which costs about 11 British Pounds or about U$19
at present exch. rates. You'll need a test kit to measure the calcium and
alkalinity/hardness. Again you need to make smallish adjustments here and
adjust one with consideration to the other.

Does live sand act as a PH buffer, or is that only crushed coral that
does that?

Thanks again,

--Charlie Henderson