That's awesome you got your ph up above 8.4 lol. That's right about where mine lingers between 8.4-8.5. I'd be interested in hearing about where you end up with the carbon dosing. I have mine dialed back to .9ml nopox (carbon source) 1x daily on my 30 gallon and I still have to dose nitrates and phosphates occasionally. I'm gonna dial it down to .8ml daily on monday and see what happens from there.Update on my pH situation I recalibrated the probe and low and behold I'm at 8.44 solid. I'm thinking a monthly calibration process is in order for the remainder of my reefing career
Also I gave carbon dosing some vodka a shot. Cleaned the tank up fast and didn't seem to have an adverse effect even after my buddy took care of my tank for a few days while I was away and he gave it a drink every day. 1ml per 10g so it was way over doing it. That being said I think 1ml a day is more where it should be (charts research ECT) and perhaps rotating between vodka vinegar and sugar since in my readings there is a debate about which bacteria do what and use what. Feed them all! Closer to real life the better no?