Low Alkalinity
- Thread starter Adriifu
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Nitrates or alkalinity? I did both of them twice to double check, and I’m pretty sure I followed the directions correctly. My nitrates have always been on the higher end, never this high. And this was the first time I’ve tested for alkalinity.
Daddy-o
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Alk.
Yeah, I tested that one twice because I was surprised it was so low (I expected it to be high). I will be testing again tomorrow after the second water change, and I will test every day after that.
Uncle99
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Maintaining the levels in the normal ranges creates the environment in which corals thrive.
IMO it does not matter as much the level (within reason) rather ones ability to keep all 8 parameters on point with the least flux possible. Once corals acclimate to these levels sometimes over months, they extend and thrive. The more the changes, the less they grow.
IMO it does not matter as much the level (within reason) rather ones ability to keep all 8 parameters on point with the least flux possible. Once corals acclimate to these levels sometimes over months, they extend and thrive. The more the changes, the less they grow.
Greg P
Valuable Member
There is no true 'sweet spot' for a mixed reef, although we are learning in the last couple years that there are 'way too many factors' which we dismissed in the past ...
What I've read lately makes sense ...
Alk above natural sea water levels can allow for faster skeletal growth, but only if NO3 and PO4 are present in high enough numbers to support the soft tissue growth to keep up with the skeletal growth.
I used to run my mixed tank @ 8.3 420 1350 with NO3 and PO4 being 10-25 and 0.03-0.1
Because my latest tank is nutrient limited due to it's youth, I try to keep my Alk close to or below 8.0 to prevent my SPS tips from 'burning' and hope the flesh growth will keep up.
What I've read lately makes sense ...
Alk above natural sea water levels can allow for faster skeletal growth, but only if NO3 and PO4 are present in high enough numbers to support the soft tissue growth to keep up with the skeletal growth.
I used to run my mixed tank @ 8.3 420 1350 with NO3 and PO4 being 10-25 and 0.03-0.1
Because my latest tank is nutrient limited due to it's youth, I try to keep my Alk close to or below 8.0 to prevent my SPS tips from 'burning' and hope the flesh growth will keep up.
That makes perfect sense. I think there might have been a big swing somewhere with one of my parameters. I'm hoping everything stabilizes soon enough. Your tank is beautiful.Maintaining the levels in the normal ranges creates the environment in which corals thrive.
IMO it does not matter as much the level (within reason) rather ones ability to keep all 8 parameters on point with the least flux possible. Once corals acclimate to these levels sometimes over months, they extend and thrive. The more the changes, the less they grow.
I think the lowest I'll be able to keep my nitrates at is 10 ppm, and I can easily get my phosphates within the range they used to be at (0.03-0.1 ppm). If I'm able to sustain those two parameters, then do you think an alkalinity around 8-9 dKH would be more ideal for this tank instead of the higher end? With the help of dosing and continued use of Red Sea's mix, that should work out in the long run.
Tomorrow I will make adjustments to the scape, where the acros will be at the top for higher lighting. Then I will direct the flow to the rock they are all on and have the SPS and LPS below. The process will stress them out for a few days, but I think they'll improve with more strategic placement.
FunnierThanUThink
Community Member
If alk is that low doing water change wont bring it up that much. Even at 30% you are not adding enough. I have a 4 month old tank, with booming coralline algae, that the alk dropped to 6.6dkh using red sea pro. Even after a 25% water change the alk only went up to 6.8dkh. Dosing is the best thing to do and how I got my alk up to a steady 9dkh. I’d rather use a salt with a 7-8 dkh and dose accordingly. Doing a water change is more important for trace elements than for maintaining alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels. I have also found dosing amino acidy has really improved the coloration of my corals and believe they helped save an almost fully dead coral. From what I’ve read high nitrates and phosphates shouldn’t kill corals, unless they are extremely high, they will just inhibit growth.
Daddy-o
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I like to maintain my reefs at the exact DKH of my salt mix. So if you are using blue bucket I guess that is 8 dkh. I used blue bucket for a long time.
Cheers! Mark
Cheers! Mark
Thank you for the response! I purchased the two-part alkalinity and calcium supplements today, so they should arrive in two days. I’m hoping the water changes will keep it from getting too low, as I do not expect them to fix everything. Once the tank is readjusted, I am hoping that the stable parameters will make my corals happy.
Daddy-o
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Good Luck! Keep us updated and Happy Holidays!!Awesome, I will try to keep it at that range with the dosing once I get everything in the mail. Thank you
Greg P
Valuable Member
I think you could be very successful with your tests in that range, but keep in mind that the latest thoughts are to keep Alk closer to 7.5-8.0 if your nutrients are limited or near zero.
If you are able to keep your NO3 and PO4 in a range that you are able to manage algae and still keep them up .. 10-25ppm and 0.03-0.1 .. then go ahead and try running your Alk higher into the 8-9dKh range.
I personally don't like my tank being higher than 9.5 but it's been there sometimes.
The whole idea is to balance Alk with nutrients.
High Alk means the skeletons will grow quickly and the flesh needs to keep up.
So higher nutrients mean higher alkalinity. Okay, I will see where my nitrates and phosphates are after these water changes and new absorbing media, and then I will adjust my alkalinity based on that. I'm thinking it will most likely need to be closer to 8 dKH. Thank you
Greg P
Valuable Member
Not so much meaning you need higher nutrients with higher Alk, but yes if you want them higher you'll need higher of both.
If you want to run higher Alk then run higher nutrients.
If you prefer lower Alk levels - 7.7-8.0 - then run your NO3 and PO4 closer to zero.
Good luck Adriifu
Keep us updated with your changes
If you want to run higher Alk then run higher nutrients.
If you prefer lower Alk levels - 7.7-8.0 - then run your NO3 and PO4 closer to zero.
Good luck Adriifu
Keep us updated with your changes
Greg P
Valuable Member
Just to clarify ...
It would appear that running Alk levels below 8.5 shows stress with SPS if your nutrient levels are running near zero.
Please do some online reading before you make any major changes with your tank parameters.
It would appear that running Alk levels below 8.5 shows stress with SPS if your nutrient levels are running near zero.
Please do some online reading before you make any major changes with your tank parameters.
hyprc
Well-Known Member
Lol I've tried following Red Sea's recipes but seriously, it was more stressful for my system to be so far out from where it 'wanted' to be. Every system is different. Don't get hung up on 'special recipes'. You'll learn where YOUR tank thrives over time.
Daddy-o
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Just to clarify, You mean running alk above 8.5?????????
Greg P
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Argh, thanks for the clarity !!
If your nutrients are limited, keep your Alk levels closer to 7.7-8.0
Greg P
Valuable Member
Sorry, and thanks to Daddy-O for catching my typo ...
Try to keep your Alk levels closer to 7.7-8.0 if your tank is nutrient poor ...
