Higher Alk and Low Nutrients.

[KSReefing]

So I’ve had a fully flourishing mixed reef tank for awhile(1 year) but noticed things hadn’t been doing as well. I ended up losing my SPS and my Encrusting LPS corals started to suffer. All my SPS began to get RTN and died off.

I have mostly zoas in the tank and they seem to be doing okay. I wouldn’t say they are doing amazing because I’ve noticed growth has slowed down a bit. But still opening. I had some melt away as well.

My tank always struggles for nutrients. It’s a 30 Gallon Long tank IM and it’s only got 2 clowns and 2 peppermint shrimp and a clean up crew. It doesn’t matter how much food I put in I can’t not get my nitrates above 2 ppm and usually stay right around 0. (Red Sea Pro) Phosphates stays right around .01 or .02 (Hanna ULR). Lighting is 2 AI Hydra 26 HD’s.

My ALK was right around 9-10 (Trident, Red Sea) I noticed it was running a little higher when I had added my SPS. Calcium dosed and steady at 430-450 with trident and Dos.

If running a lower nutrient system should I keep my ALK lower around the 7.5-8 range? I’m going to start dosing NeoNitro because I know my zoas would really like some nitrate. I’m just not sure if I went wrong by raising Alkalinity with not enough nutrients to support it. Any input in regards to this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Saltyreef]

I would start by lowering the macros to NSW params first before touching nutrients.
Imo your nutrient level hovering right above detectable is right where you want them.
Try like 7.8, balanced calcium @ 416ppm.
But try it for a few months before making changes again to really see how things respond.