Kh and growth rate/uptake

[kilnakorr]

I can't seem to find an answer to this, so maybe there isn't a definitiv answer.
But...... Does in increase in kh resolve in increased coral growth rate, assuming no other factors are limited?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I can't seem to find an answer to this, so maybe there isn't a definitiv answer.
But...... Does in increase in kh resolve in increased coral growth rate, assuming no other factors are limited?

With some hard corals, yes, higher alk (and higher pH) can lead to faster growth, as long as there is adequate other nutrients.

I would not assume it is true for soft corals.

 

[kilnakorr]

With some hard corals, yes, higher alk (and higher pH) can lead to faster growth, as long as there is adequate other nutrients.

I would not assume it is true for soft corals.

Thanks. Agreed it probably won't impact soft corals.

Thing is, I seem to have found my sweet spot regarding my dosing, and parameters are quite stable. I'm just not to happy with my 7.6 kh. Being a beginner, I would like a little more margin for errors.
I was thinking, to just increase dosage slightly, and if uptake increases, it should even itself out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks. Agreed it probably won't impact soft corals.

Thing is, I seem to have found my sweet spot regarding my dosing, and parameters are quite stable. I'm just not to happy with my 7.6 kh. Being a beginner, I would like a little more margin for errors.
I was thinking, to just increase dosage slightly, and if uptake increases, it should even itself out.

I would not assume higher alk gives you more margin for error. it may give less, with insufficient other nutrients at high alk potentially leading to burnt SPS tips, possibly because coral skeletal growth outpaces tissue growth.

 

[kilnakorr]

I would not assume higher alk gives you more margin for error. it may give less, with insufficient other nutrients at high alk potentially leading to burnt SPS tips, possibly because coral skeletal growth outpaces tissue growth.

True. I do have plenty of nutrients though, and only few sps, as I haven't got the 'sps fever' yet.
But might just let it be for now, or just raise it a tiny bit and let it sit there for awhile and observe.

 

[X-37B]

My dkh target is 7-8 with 7.5 my target.
Your dkh is not low, imo, as its just above ocean levels.
I have excellent growth at my level.
I believe keeping your dkh within your tatget range is more important than the level you run, within reason.

 

[X-37B]

Update your build thread with some current pics so we can see your progress.

 

[kilnakorr]

Update your build thread with some current pics so we can see your progress.

Well, to much have changed to make a decent estimate of growth.
I also had ph on the low side, untill about 2 months ago when I added a decent CO2 scrubber.
Tried to upload a picture, but getting som error

 

[kilnakorr]

Just under 3 months apart. Have no idea if this is slow or good growth.

 

[X-37B]

Just under 3 months apart. Have no idea if this is slow or good growth.

Thats looking good. I have some corals that grow like weeds and others that grow very slow.
Check my build thread. Alot of growth pics over the last 36 months for some reference.

 

[X-37B]

Just noticed your from Denmark. My grandfather was from Denmark.
I got his name.
Sven

 

[kilnakorr]

Just noticed your from Denmark. My grandfather was from Denmark.
I got his name.
Sven

A good old name

My tank after roughly 8-9 months.

 

[X-37B]

A good old name

My tank after roughly 8-9 months.

Very nice!
You have plenty of room for corals to grow in.
Keep your build thread updated and I will follow.

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

An interesting 3 part video discussing your question.

 

[kilnakorr]

An interesting 3 part video discussing your question.

Thanks. Seems like 8 minutes of advertising though.

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

Thanks. Seems like 8 minutes of advertising though.

I haven't seen it for a while, but I don't recall them pitching any products.

 

[kilnakorr]

I haven't seen it for a while, but I don't recall them pitching any products.

Nah, just going through their setup for the experiment and thanking/showing all the stuff they got from those helping sponsoring the setup.