Higher Alk ok?

[MartyF]

I keep my Alk level between 10.5 and 10.7. Whenever anyone hears how high I keep it they are shocked. My tank has been up for about a year and a half and is SPS dominant. I have had good success with nice color and growth. I know they say if it's working don't mess with it. Any thoughts on running Alk that high? Should I bring it down? It's a 40 gal and I dose ESV 2 part 12 ml both each day. Randy Holmes-Farley?

 

[Cory]

It wouldn't be a problem except for burnt tips in ulns. I like to keep mine at 9.5 right in the middle

 

[Centerline]

Cory called it.

 

[Myka]

As long as you have the nutrients (No3 & PO4) to feed the corals, you won't have a problem keeping it that high. If there is a time when available nutrients drop and the corals start to starve, then they will get burned tips. Available nutrients aren't always related to a test kit value. You can read low or undetectable numbers on test kits, and still have healthy corals.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I keep my Alk level between 10.5 and 10.7. Whenever anyone hears how high I keep it they are shocked. My tank has been up for about a year and a half and is SPS dominant. I have had good success with nice color and growth. I know they say if it's working don't mess with it. Any thoughts on running Alk that high? Should I bring it down? It's a 40 gal and I dose ESV 2 part 12 ml both each day. Randy Holmes-Farley?

I'm not shocked. I recommend 7-11 dKH, unless it is a ULNS SPS tank.

 

[MartyF]

I'm not shocked. I recommend 7-11 dKH, unless it is a ULNS SPS tank.

Great! Thanks everybody.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

I keep mine at 9.5. As long as corals are thriving, I wouldn't be too concerned

 

[Coralbuzz]

My alk is at 13.2. I dose calcium and nopox. I use red sea coral pro salt. Everything is thriving and i use Salifert test kits for my testing. How can i lower the alk?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My alk is at 13.2. I dose calcium and nopox. I use red sea coral pro salt. Everything is thriving and i use Salifert test kits for my testing. How can i lower the alk?

What do you dose for calcium exactly?

Is nitrate declining, or steady?

The alk level is not a problem unless nitrate gets too low.

 

[Coralbuzz]

What do you dose for calcium exactly?

Is nitrate declining, or steady?

The alk level is not a problem unless nitrate gets too low.

Seachem reef advantage calcium,nitrate is .025. Calcium is at 440

 

[DarkSky]

I run my Alk high as well, usually 10.8-11.0, no negative affects.

NO3 is 10ppm, PO4 is 0.018ppm. Everything seems to be growing well.

 

[Coralbuzz]

I run my Alk high as well, usually 10.8-11.0, no negative affects.

NO3 is 10ppm, PO4 is 0.018ppm. Everything seems to be growing well.

Ok thanks