Low PH in my new Saltwater Aquarium

[jjt305]

I just started a new saltwater aquarium and recently had a large drop in PH from 8.3 to 7.6 I don't have any live rock yet just dead base rock. I am running an Emperor 400 Filter with a seaclone 100 skimmer in a 90 gallon tank. My question is should I raise the PH before adding my live rock. I was looking to add the rock this week. Please advise

[MikeS]

what time of day did you get the 7.6 pH?
MikeJS

[jjt305]

It has been fairly steady day and night. Today it was up to 7.8 this morning. Yesterday I just added some fore dead rock to the tank. I was thinking about adding a PH buffer to the tank so I can get my live rock in and get the tank cycling.

[MikeS]

a buffer should help.....what kind of water are you using? also what is your salinity?
MikeJS