Dkh, CA, mg for maximum growth

reeefer · Nov 26, 2016

Hi all,
These are my parameters I've been keeping for the last few months and I've noticed growth is alot faster then when my parameters were a little on the lower side(I was not testing at that point)

Dkh 12.5
Cal 500
Mg 1500

Im following the dosing charts on red sea supplents abc.
I do have to dose quite a bit more as my salt mix does not test quite that high.

is maintaining these high numbers necessary for optimal growth

What are your parameters now and if you've had experience with different parameters, what's been working better for you
Thanks

Bpb · Nov 26, 2016

Stable parameters are more important than where they're at specifically for the most part. But that 12.5 dkh alk is really dependent on available food and nutrients. In my experience, if the tank is nutrient poor, as in no measurable no3 and po4, alk that high really causes some damage to sps especially and even ticks off my lps. I've always had the best polyp extension, growth, and color keeping alk between 7-8

Reeferdood · Nov 26, 2016

I tried the Red Sea method and I was not impressed whatsoever, I went back to the basics and I am way happier. I use Instant Ocean and a Ca reactor with kalkwasser to keep the pH up.
Others have had success using Red Sea so I am not knocking them. Honestly, unless you are a frag farm you should want coloration anyways. Why try to rush growth with substandard colors?
My parameters are:
Ca, 450
Alk, 10
Salinity, 1.026
pH, 8.3
Mg, 1300
All others, low....

reeefer · Nov 26, 2016

Ok I'll give that a shot bring dkh down and see if I get nicer colors while still maintaining high growth with high cal and mg

Elementalj · Nov 26, 2016

Just let it level itself out, then maintain. You'll drive yourself nuckin futz chasing the number. I agree with stability above all else.

reeefer · Nov 27, 2016

Elementalj said:
Just let it level itself out, then maintain. You'll drive yourself nuckin futz chasing the number. I agree with stability above all else.

What do you mean by let it level itself out? If I just let it go my levels would drop too low wouldn't they?
Or do you mean just maintain the original salt mix levels with dosing but not dosing extra to maintain higher levels?