Stopping bio pellets while dropping ALK

Saltgator · Dec 11, 2012

I know this has probably been covered already, but should I stop my Bio pellets while I slowly drop my Alk? I've been using the BRS pellets for 2 months (slow start, only up to half the recommended amount, possibly why I haven't noticed anything positive yet) and I need to drop my ALK to 7.5 or 8. My ALK is staying on 10 and I'm getting burnt tips. Also, should I seed the pellets when I start back up? Thanks

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Reefltx · Dec 11, 2012

IMO, you can leave the bp on. Unless you want to completely remove them from your system, why start back over again?

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Saltgator · Dec 11, 2012

Reefltx said:
IMO, you can leave the bp on. Unless you want to completely remove them from your system, why start back over again?

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Thanks. I appreciate that. I really would like using them long term, but thought I'd ask anyway.

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Tinola · Dec 11, 2012

How are you going to lower your alk? new salt mix?

Saltgator · Dec 12, 2012

Tinola said:
How are you going to lower your alk? new salt mix?

Would love to just allow it to drop on it's own, either by reducing the amount dosed each day (allowing the corals to consume the same amount, yet only adding a smaller amount until the level is reached) or take it offline (not recommended) for a day or two, but neither of these are recommended and have what I've been told a high chance for a crash (again a possibility). I'll just do WC (probaly several) and try to hit my numbers. Any thoughts on this are welcome from all.

KoleTang · Dec 12, 2012

Saltgator said:
Would love to just allow it to drop on it's own, either by reducing the amount dosed each day (allowing the corals to consume the same amount, yet only adding a smaller amount until the level is reached) or take it offline (not recommended) for a day or two, but neither of these are recommended and have what I've been told a high chance for a crash (again a possibility). I'll just do WC (probaly several) and try to hit my numbers. Any thoughts on this are welcome from all.

How is changing the water to drop the Alk less dangerous than not dosing or slowing dosing to drop the Alk? IMO the water change is more sudden.

Saltgator · Dec 12, 2012

KoleTang said:
How is changing the water to drop the Alk less dangerous than not dosing or slowing dosing to drop the Alk? IMO the water change is more sudden.

Didn't ask. Maybe someone might jump in and advise the pros vs. cons. I would agree with you on the WC being sudden, where allowing the dosing to stop for a day, recheck, so on and so on until the levels were within the target area and begin dosing again.

Saltgator · Dec 12, 2012

Bump for more thoughts

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Rick · Dec 12, 2012

i just turned off my profilux for 2 days which sent me from 10- 7.8ish nothing was effected negatively im like a week into thy first dose of the bio pellets

Saltgator · Dec 12, 2012

Rick said:
i just turned off my profilux for 2 days which sent me from 10- 7.8ish nothing was effected negatively im like a week into thy first dose of the bio pellets

Thanks Rick. Do you have a large amount of colonies soaking it up (reason for that drop of 10 to 7.8)? We're you running Bio pellets during the off period?

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Rick · Dec 12, 2012

Yea lots of Sps I ran bio pellets during the drop no I'll effect

Saltgator · Dec 12, 2012

Rick said:
Yea lots of Sps I ran bio pellets during the drop no I'll effect

Thanks.

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Reefltx · Dec 12, 2012

I would set the doser to dose less and test every 2-3days. You could probably reach your desired level within a week or two. I had an alk spike that took my alk to 12.5dkh so I turned off the doser, in less than 2 days it was down to 6.7dkh. 3 weeks later my sps are still stressed. I also left the bio pellets reactor on the whole time.

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Saltgator · Dec 12, 2012

Reefltx said:
I would set the doser to dose less and test every 2-3days. You could probably reach your desired level within a week or two. I had an alk spike that took my alk to 12.5dkh so I turned off the doser, in less than 2 days it was down to 6.7dkh. 3 weeks later my sps are still stressed. I also left the bio pellets reactor on the whole time.

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Thanks. I'm planning this method just in case it drops to sudden and to fast.

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