Does carbon dosing (nopox)causes potassium depletion..???
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Randy Holmes-Farley
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Here's my blurb on potassium (and other parameters):
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...-coral-reef-aquarium-randy-holmes-farley.html
from it:
Potassium
Potassium is listed with the less critical parameters, not because it isn't important, but due to the fact that it does not get rapidly depleted in most aquaria. The majority of reef aquarists do not test for or dose potassium, and likely have adequate amounts from water changes alone. Potassium is important for cellular function, and generally is higher in concentration inside of cells than outside. In people, for example, nearly all of it is inside of cells, with very low concentrations present in the blood.
In marine systems, most cells of organisms have higher concentration of potassium in them than the surrounding seawater. That would make it seem that potassium would be depleted rapidly as organisms grow and add tissue mass, whether they are bacteria, microalgae, macroalgae, fish, or corals. However, there is quite a lot of potassium in seawater and salt mixes, and aquaria are typically being feed foods that also consist largely of cells that once contained potassium. Assuming these cells are not broken open and rinsed free of potassium, a large amount comes in with foods. So the net concentration of potassium in the tank will be a balance between the food and other inputs, and the uptake from tissue mass (whether it is exported or left in the tank).
A number of aquarists have found their aquaria are depleted in potassium and dose it to maintain natural levels. I've not found it to be depleted in my aquarium and I do not dose any. Some people associate depletion with organic carbon dosing to drive bacterial growth, but I've not seen that in my system (perhaps due to the foods that I choose to feed). Of those with depleted potassium, the primary symptom seems to be certain issues with SPS corals such as Montipora. Sometimes it is reported as poor growth and/or greyish coloration. I do not know if that really does relate to low potassium, but if you have such an issue, measuring potassium with a kit and dosing if necessary may be useful. I'd recommend maintaining about 380-420 ppm, but if it already is higher than that level, I would not do anything to try to lower it.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...-coral-reef-aquarium-randy-holmes-farley.html
from it:
Potassium
Potassium is listed with the less critical parameters, not because it isn't important, but due to the fact that it does not get rapidly depleted in most aquaria. The majority of reef aquarists do not test for or dose potassium, and likely have adequate amounts from water changes alone. Potassium is important for cellular function, and generally is higher in concentration inside of cells than outside. In people, for example, nearly all of it is inside of cells, with very low concentrations present in the blood.
In marine systems, most cells of organisms have higher concentration of potassium in them than the surrounding seawater. That would make it seem that potassium would be depleted rapidly as organisms grow and add tissue mass, whether they are bacteria, microalgae, macroalgae, fish, or corals. However, there is quite a lot of potassium in seawater and salt mixes, and aquaria are typically being feed foods that also consist largely of cells that once contained potassium. Assuming these cells are not broken open and rinsed free of potassium, a large amount comes in with foods. So the net concentration of potassium in the tank will be a balance between the food and other inputs, and the uptake from tissue mass (whether it is exported or left in the tank).
A number of aquarists have found their aquaria are depleted in potassium and dose it to maintain natural levels. I've not found it to be depleted in my aquarium and I do not dose any. Some people associate depletion with organic carbon dosing to drive bacterial growth, but I've not seen that in my system (perhaps due to the foods that I choose to feed). Of those with depleted potassium, the primary symptom seems to be certain issues with SPS corals such as Montipora. Sometimes it is reported as poor growth and/or greyish coloration. I do not know if that really does relate to low potassium, but if you have such an issue, measuring potassium with a kit and dosing if necessary may be useful. I'd recommend maintaining about 380-420 ppm, but if it already is higher than that level, I would not do anything to try to lower it.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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It wouldn't hurt to measure it after a while, but it may not get depleted.
Good luck and Happy Reefing.
Good luck and Happy Reefing.
Tek
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I am running bio pellets again and my K is low at only 200ppm. In the past I never tested for it so it could just be low in my IO salt mix.
Will it be ok to add Brightwell potassium to my CA container for auto dosing?
Will it be ok to add Brightwell potassium to my CA container for auto dosing?
Randy Holmes-Farley
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No, IO salt mix has plenty of potassium.
The combination you suggest is fine, but I'm concerned the 200 ppm is not accurate.
The combination you suggest is fine, but I'm concerned the 200 ppm is not accurate.
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OK, try some new salt mix too.
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I meant try testing what you are currently using.
tonizzy22
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I wouldnt start carbon dosing until you nitrates increased a little. If you have already been carbon dosing and are now at zero cut your dose in half. You can add some amino acids too. It benifets your corals and adds nitrates to the tank. This will in turn help lower your phosphates.
Tek
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70g tank dosed with 35ml of Brightwell Potassium both past nights. It is now at 375ppm.
The test calls for natural light and the first test was near a window during a sunny day. It leads me to believe my results came out lower due to the extra light making it easier to see the dot during titration. Today is cloudy and closer to normal indoor lighting without a ray of light hitting directly at the vial.
The test calls for natural light and the first test was near a window during a sunny day. It leads me to believe my results came out lower due to the extra light making it easier to see the dot during titration. Today is cloudy and closer to normal indoor lighting without a ray of light hitting directly at the vial.
Tek
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That was the first time I ever tested for K. My other parameters are stable and SPS are growing but they seem to miss the color pop that is initially on the corals. My blues turn to purple even on new growth. I wanted to make sure chemistry was not the issue before making any drastic lighting changes.
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Be sure to let us know if it makes a difference.
marke
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I have been vinegar dosing and was told this could deplete potassium. So I bot the salifert kit. Which was suggested by other reefers. I have been testing for 3 months and have never seen a drop in levels. Not sure what really could deplete potassium? But for those that are supplementing please keep us informed.
Tek
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Be sure to let us know if it makes a difference.
Will do. I am going to take some pics also but showing the difference of blue/purple with white balance is a challenge in itself.
tonizzy22
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Acording to red sea the potassium enhances red which is in their color b supplement. Their color d supplement enhances blue and purple. I think that light spectrum and intensity and type of light is the biggest determing factor of coral color.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Anyone who stated that was greatly oversimplifying a complex issue, as you found. I dose a lot of vinegar (more than most people) and my potassium is not depleted, both by kit testing and by Triton testing.
