How to drop ALK without killing corals

[James5214]

So I have been using red sea coral pro for my water changes because my LFS has it pre mixed already. Well from all my research and everything most people keep their tanks in that 8-9 range but when I was online I read that higher ALK causes for quicker calcification for corals like lps and sps. But I can say my corals haven't opened up to there full potential as from when I purchased them. They are healthy and vibrant in color but still not opened as much as they once were. So can someone explain to me why lower AlK is better than higher and I have red sea pro test kit and I tested my ALK 3 days in a row and it stayed around 12.1. what's a way I can get these corals back to lower AlK. Small weekly water changes over a period of time? I mean even my coral guy runs his tanks at around 8-9 and I had to acclimate the torch I have for a while before adding to tank but as it's still very healthy and has color and eats frozen Hikari brine and LRS reef frenzy. Should I leave my alk at this level or drop down? Any tips and advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Chrisv.]

12 is high, but it’s not the end of the world. I wouldn’t do anything drastic. Do water changes with a different salt and let the coals consume alk.

 

[James5214]

Yea I only was using that because it was convenient and pre mixed at lfs but everywhere I read I see 8-9 attleast by most people. And like I said the coral are happy and eat and have awesome colour but just not what they were when I saw them before purchasing

 

[Chrisv.]

Yea I only was using that because it was convenient and pre mixed at lfs but everywhere I read I see 8-9 attleast by most people. And like I said the coral are happy and eat and have awesome colour but just not what they were when I saw them before purchasing

Oh I don’t fault you for using it. If it’s convenient and it works, fine. Plenty of people push that upper bound of alk at around 12…but if you’re one testing error from 13 or 14, which would be bad.

if you switch to lower alk salt the situation should resolve itself If you do routin water changes. Just remember, not more than one dkh /day There are calculators out there that can help with the math of figuring out how many gallons of water with dkh “X” to use if your dkh is “Y” and your volume is “Z”.

 

[James5214]

Yea with it being lower I know alk swings are not good but I'm sure it would not be as bad as like you said if my ALK went to 15. I probably just do my regular 3-4gallons of water changes week for maybe a month or 2 since only a 20L and will test everyday as I have red sea Pro test kit for calc mag ALK

 

[Chrisv.]

Yea with it being lower I know alk swings are not good but I'm sure it would not be as bad as like you said if my ALK went to 15. I probably just do my regular 3-4gallons of water changes week for maybe a month or 2 since only a 20L and will test everyday as I have red sea Pro test kit for calc mag ALK

I keep mine at 8.6 these days. If it swings to 7.6 or up to 9.6, I’m not too concerned. I aim for stability, but it’s not a reef tank 911 call if it unexpectedly swings by a point.