Biopellts! What should my dkH be?

MounteeFrag · Nov 8, 2015

I am running biopellets, I have been for quite some time. My parameters are as follows,
Alkalinity 9.8 dkH
Calcium 475
Magnessium 1200
All tested with Red Sea test kit
Phosphate. 02 (Hannah)

I am dosing alk and calcium with my Apex and BRS dosers. I dose 40ml of alk and 50ml of calcium.

My growth on my coral doesn't seem to be up to par.

I'm I within range?

redfishbluefish · Nov 8, 2015

Not sure what biopellets would have to do with this, short of running an ULNS, where you'd want alk on the lower side. You didn't include nitrate levels. What are they? You do need some N and P present for good coral growth.

MounteeFrag · Nov 8, 2015

I've been reading that if you are running biopellets (carbon dosing )your alkalinity should be lower. My Nitrates are 10 using API test kit.

Jp978 · Nov 8, 2015

I keep mine at 7.5 to 8 with my bio pellets..
Mag 1425
Cal 440 to 460

GainesvilleReef · Nov 8, 2015

I agree with JP. I had problems until I lowered Alk level to below 8 and maintained it there.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 8, 2015

MounteeFrag said:
I've been reading that if you are running biopellets (carbon dosing )your alkalinity should be lower. My Nitrates are 10 using API test kit.

That's not always true. It is true if you run a ULNS system for any reason, and it may happen with biopellets, at least if you use a lot.

Some SPS corals can get burnt tips if the alk is high, encouraging skeletal growth, and the nutrients are low (possibly restricting tissue growth).

In general, lack of growth is not from the alk being too high.