Carbon Dosing and Alk

[LivelyJon]

I keep reading that with carbon dosing and low nutrient tanks, it is best to keep Alk low (down to 7) or risk burning SPS tips. I can’t find a scientific explanation as to why? Anyone know or have references....or is this just theory from experience? Mine is 8.5-8.9....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The best theory around is that skeletal growth driven faster by high alk goes faster than tissue growth can keep up when N and P are low, resulting in thin tissue at growing tips that is easily damaged by uv light or abrasion.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is not typically studied by scientists because alk never varies much in nature. It is a reef aquarium phenomenon.