I'm not sure a ph of 8.8 is healthy for a reef environment, but it may not be unhealthy either. Definitely check the ph of your salt, before you add it. If its on the low side, then I'd be concerned about whats going on. If its on the high side, as most mixed salts tend to be, then just research the effects of an elevated ph on your subjects. Most fish can live, as slither said, within a wide range of ph. Get your LFS to test your water too, just to make sure its not your test kit. My own nitrate kit was expired, or at least in some way defective, and was giving me readings off the chart. I bought a new one and it measured 20ppm. Go figure.