How stable should "stable" parameters be?

DarkSky · Jun 3, 2017

I test my SPS aquarium fairly regularly and I think I have my Alk dosing figured out. I'm still working on getting my calcium dosing figured out, which led me to wonder how stable of parameters should we aim for?

http://i.imgur.com/USL0HsE.png

The total volume of my tank is ~58 gallons. It's a completely SPS tank with a bunch of frags. Most of the frags have been in the tank since either October 15th of 2016 or May 10th of 2017.

I bought almost all of my frags from Battlecorals, and they're all doing very well and encrusting on the rockwork. I think I'm getting decent growth, but would I see better growth if I was able to make my calcium and alk parameters more stable?

kennedpa · Jun 3, 2017

Are your fluctuations correlating with you messing with the tank inhabitants, or other husbandry duties? The more fiddling that goes on the harder it will be to dial in. Your alk minus those couple swings isn't bad. Ca probably has less of an impact.

I shoot for no more that 0.3 alk fluctuation testing same time every morning, and calcium I keep 425-450. Sometimes I get a small calcium swing but nothing seems to mind. I use a reactor though so it's a bit easier for me IMO.

DarkSky · Jun 3, 2017

I'm fairly hands off, trying to stay out of the tank as much as possible. The only times I put my hands in the tank are when I'm doing a water change. On the 1st I removed the newer frags from their plugs and glued them to the rockwork, my Alk went up from what I assume are the new frags stopping growth from being disturbed.