ALK consumption decreased when changing systems

john.m.cole3 · Nov 14, 2017

I was using a 40b with a 20 gal sump as a frag tank. I was dosing 54 ml a day of alkalinity and things grew and grew until I needed to upgrade. So I plumbed 3 40b tanks to a 55 gal DIY sump and moved all corals over. Since moving them over I have aquired much more LPS and SPS to where I have almost twice as much coral as I did in the original 40b. I'm dosing 28 ml of alk a day now and haven't been able to increase the dose since I moved everything over to this system 3 months ago. My LPS are growing visibly but my SPS no longer have white growth tips and aren't visibly growing but they are still alive with polyps extended. You guys think I should just let it ride and continue to test and observe the system. going from 50 gallons to 150 gallons of water volume wouldn't have an affect on consumption rates, should it?

reefer4816 · Nov 14, 2017

The new system is just causing the Corals to adapt to the new chemistry of the change of system.

This has taken the Corals out of “grow mode”. Give them time to adapt. Then your growth and alk consumption will come back

rushbattle · Nov 15, 2017

I was going to say the same more or less, but I think it’s complicated. There must be some factor that changed. Perhaps water chemistry, light, flow, or organics. Do you run any carbon?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 15, 2017

Seems like a long time for such a reduced demand, but may just be that they need time to adjust and possibly even grow into shapes more suited to the flow and lighting around them.

john.m.cole3 · Nov 15, 2017

Not running any GAC. I have maintained the same parameters, still using T5 and gyres. I did have a bottoming out of nitrates, followed by a spike, and now they are back in control at 5. I'll be patient, just wondering if anyone else had experienced this.