Sps nutrients and alk

reeferparty · Mar 22, 2018

I understand that with low nutrients, alk and lighting should be on the lower end (closer to nsw). But does it apply if nutrients are on the higher end? Should alk be on the higher? To promote faster growth to uptake more of the available nutrients?

scardall · Mar 22, 2018

Can you give us some more information on your tank? Alk,Ca.Magnesium,phosphate,ph levels now. Tank size? What kind of corals dominate your tank and then in general what is the rest of it does it have? One needs to understand where they are at to move forward. Yes it is easier said than done. One size answer does not fit all. I wish. I'm still learning all the time and Every tank is their own personality. Remember there is more than one way to meet your known goals and Good Luck !

Bpb · Mar 22, 2018

I would say if nitrogenous waste and phosphate content in the water is higher, it can allow for more light and higher alkalinity to avoid tip burn and keep zooxanthellae happy and growing. Not necessarily that it REQUIRES higher light though

Reefer40b · Mar 23, 2018

I don't remember where I read it to cite the source but having a tank with high phosphates actually makes the corals more light sensitive(I could be wrong). scardall is right one size answer does not fit all. Best to know the details of your setup, to best assist what you are trying to achieve.

reeferparty · Mar 23, 2018

Sorry here are my tank details, made the post in a hurry.
Red Sea Reefer 350
85g water volume
Alk -7.8-8.1 Hanna
Ca -420-430 Red Sea
Mg -1360-1400 Red Sea
Po4 -.2-.3 Hanna ULR
No3 -15-20 Red Sea
Ph -7.8-8.2 (spiked to 8.5 yesterday)

Lighting:
AP700 70% peak for 5 hours
(2) radion xr30 gen4 pro peak at 46% for 5 hours

PMK par readings averages ~220 across the top of my rock work

Recently went back to LPS dominate for the past 5 months after my tank crash. Tank crashed from low nutrient struggle. Since then I’ve gotten a lot more fish. However, I only feed once a day.

I understand .2-.3 maybe considered very high but I don’t have any algae problems whatsoever and the sps’ that survived the crash has actually colored up way better with the higher nutrients but very slow growth.

10g water changes twice a week when I can keep up.

Reason for my original question is if I should just leave things be or consider raising alk a bit to promote more growth.

Reefer40b · Mar 23, 2018

I pretty much guarantee if you get those phosphates down to around .05-.08 range your growth will take off. I was in the same boat not too long ago running .2-.3 po4 with no algae issues with around 40ppm nitrate SPS colors were very saturated and colorful not brown by any means just slow growth, I got my numbers down to 5-10ppm nitrate and .05-08ppm phosphate and growth/overall health in corals not to mention alk consumption on the rise fast... I would not change anything else alk ca and mag look good. My alk is currently running at 7.3 and I try to shoot for 8.0.

scardall · Mar 23, 2018

Reefer40b said:
I pretty much guarantee if you get those phosphates down to around .05-.08 range your growth will take off. I was in the same boat not too long ago running .2-.3 po4 with no algae issues with around 40ppm nitrate SPS colors were very saturated and colorful not brown by any means just slow growth, I got my numbers down to 5-10ppm nitrate and .05-08ppm phosphate and growth/overall health in corals not to mention alk consumption on the rise fast... I would not change anything else alk ca and mag look good. My alk is currently running at 7.3 and I try to shoot for 8.0.

I concur with Reefer40b overall. I would like to add one thing. I would start using NO3PO4-X by red sea. It will help lower NO3 and PO4 . Follow direction closely and remember it takes a fair amount of time high levels down. With SPS 2-5ppm NO3 LPS 5-10ppm If you want to play look at the Redfield ratio numbers. https://buddendo.home.xs4all.nl/aquarium/redfield_eng.htm

reeferparty · Mar 24, 2018

So in other words, I should leave alk alone and focus on bringing down po4. Dang it lol! Thanks guys!

Reefer40b · Mar 24, 2018

reeferparty said:
So in other words, I should leave alk alone and focus on bringing down po4. Dang it lol! Thanks guys!

Yup. Just take it real slow is all i can say. Use small amounts of rowasphos changed weekly. I was using 1/3 cup for 200 gal system in a reactor took a month or so after a few weeks I changed it to a 1/4 cup. Then you could either maintain low numbers with a fuge or Nopox

reeferparty · Mar 24, 2018

Reefer40b said:
Yup. Just take it real slow is all i can say. Use small amounts of rowasphos changed weekly. I was using 1/3 cup for 200 gal system in a reactor took a month or so

I’m overstocked on fish so it’s definitely going to be a tough task. [emoji29]