Water change alkalinity

[Miami Reef]

Here’s my take on it: nobody can argue that the environment corals evolved to is harmful/stressful to them.

Almost everything in reefing is trying to emulate the natural environment where corals grow their best.

 

[Rmckoy]

there is a back story to this in another thread, but suffice to say a LOT of people have me re-thinking high dkh ( even above 8.2ish) isn’t as hot as it sounds and me spending a dime more for elevated salts is starting to bother me…short answer, I’m not sure what my “new goals” are …pardon me OP

Perhaps I’ve missed something where higher alk levels are becoming more desirable ?

higher levels = higher consumption
But without the demand I don’t see the benefit

 

[Rmckoy]

Here’s my take on it: nobody can argue that the environment corals evolved to is harmful/stressful to them.

Almost everything in reefing is trying to emulate the natural environment where corals grow their best.

This is where I’m questioning why higher ?

to replicate natural as close as possible directs me to want nsw levels .

I apologize op
I’m not meaning to take over your post .

 

[Miami Reef]

This is where I’m questioning why higher ?

to replicate natural as close as possible directs me to want nsw levels .

I apologize op
I’m not meaning to take over your post .

It’s a fact that higher alk increases rate of photosynthesis and calcification = faster growth. Like, extremely fast growth.

But it doesn’t come without inherit risks. Thin skinned acros, for example, are prone to bleaching/tissue necrosis with higher alk.

Most coral farms keep alk around 8dkh.

 

[Rmckoy]

It’s a fact that higher alk increases rate of photosynthesis and calcification = faster growth. Like, extremely fast growth.

But it doesn’t come without inherit risks. Thin skinned acros, for example, are prone to bleaching/tissue necrosis with higher alk.

Most coral farms keep alk around 8dkh.

Thin skin as they are growing skeleton faster than the flesh can grow to cover it .

 

[FRANK48]

It’s a fact that higher alk increases rate of photosynthesis and calcification = faster growth. Like, extremely fast growth.

But it doesn’t come without inherit risks. Thin skinned acros, for example, are prone to bleaching/tissue necrosis with higher alk.

Most coral farms keep alk around 8dkh.

So should I aim for 8dkh?

 

[Miami Reef]

So should I aim for 8dkh?

I would.

 

[FRANK48]

I would.

So Since my alk is 7.25 couldn’t I raise it to 8 in a day?

 

[Doctorgori]

So Since my alk is 7.25 couldn’t I raise it to 8 in a day?

I would not, I’m not sure what rate is fatal, but I can assure you I’ve killed a lot of corals changing it fast, usually accidentally ….sometimes you gotta listen to us killers also

 

[FRANK48]

I would not, I’m not sure what rate is fatal, but I can assure you I’ve killed a lot of corals changing it fast, usually accidentally ….sometimes you gotta listen to us killers also

So how would I know how much to dose to be safe?

 

[Rmckoy]

So Since my alk is 7.25 couldn’t I raise it to 8 in a day?

You could … but slower is always better

 

[Miami Reef]

So Since my alk is 7.25 couldn’t I raise it to 8 in a day?

I thought your alk was 7.8dkh? Did it drop even more since we spoke yesterday?

 

[Miami Reef]

You could … but slower is always better

Agreed.

 

[FRANK48]

I thought your alk was 7.8dkh? Did it drop even more since we spoke yesterday?

I’ve tested today and it’s 7.25, unless my test kit is incorrect

 

[Rmckoy]

So how would I know how much to dose to be safe?

Raise it to 7.5 on day 1

day to raise to 7.75
And day 3 raise it to 8

that’s only .25 dkh per day which I’m sure is safe

 

[Lavey29]

So how would I know how much to dose to be safe?

When I first started seeing alk decreases between water changes, I just hand dosed bionic 2 part but only used the alk because my calcium was fine between water changes. Just 2.5ml was all that was needed on my 89g tank. Now with full load of corals I'm up to 16ml daily and just starting using a Red Sea doser which was quite easy to set up and calibrate.

 

[Rmckoy]

Another post coming …..
but I have my doubts even a Hanna can maintain accuracy

mine used to be same as a salifert kit .
now I’m not sure what one to trust .

 

[FRANK48]

Raise it to 7.5 on day 1

day to raise to 7.75
And day 3 raise it to 8

that’s only .25 dkh per day which I’m sure is safe

I’ve bought seachem reef carbonate so I will probably end up dosing with that to raise alkalinity I’m just confused if I keep dosing because wouldn’t that raise my alk too much? Or do I raise it to where I want it then wait and test and raise again?

 

[Rmckoy]

I’ve bought seachem reef carbonate so I will probably end up dosing with that to raise alkalinity I’m just confused if I keep dosing because wouldn’t that raise my alk too much? Or do I raise it to where I want it then wait and test and raise again?

If you calculate consumption . By dosing you’re only dosing to maintain that level .
Dosing too much will cause alk to swing ( which is bad )

 

[FRANK48]

If you calculate consumption . By dosing you’re only dosing to maintain that level .
Dosing too much will cause alk to swing ( which is bad )

How do I calculate consumption and also know when to dose to keep the level correct