What dKH level and Nutrients keep your SPS thriving! Poll

[jmichaelh7]

I'm getting a feel of where reefers with SPS success keep their parameters at. Particularly Alkalinity and Phosphate. Please share nutrients in the discussion

 

[am3gross]

This will be a fun thread to watch! I wish I could contribute but I have not had success yet.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Yes, that’s a reason why I’m looking for info and input

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Alk 8.5. No3 po4 just tested 16.9 -.08

 

[JCM]

Alk stays around 7.5. I intervene if it gets below 7 or above 8. Nitrates stay around 10 and phosphate around .1 with my normal water changes and skimmer. I dont do anything else to keep those in line and don't panic if they shift. If they head to zero, I up my feeding and consider it time for more fish.

 

[CNDReef]

My alk goes all over the place but I try to keep it at 8dkh ( can go as low as 7.6 and as high as 8.8 )
No3 I shoot for under 10 and po4 .08 or under.

 

[SamMule]

Alk typically somewhere between 7-7.8dkh. PO4 usually .2-.3. nitrates around 12-25.
Acros start to get angry much above low 8's for me anymore. Don't ask why, because I don't know. I just shoot for In the neighborhood if 7.5 and everything does well.

 

[jmichaelh7]

there’s t

Alk typically somewhere between 7-7.8dkh. PO4 usually .2-.3. nitrates around 12-25.
Acros start to get angry much above low 8's for me anymore. Don't ask why, because I don't know. I just shoot for In the neighborhood if 7.5 and everything does well.

your acros like a little more dirty water than usual. Every tank is different of course

 

[SamMule]

Yes, that's what I'm finding out. The more I learn and read, the more I find that there really is no set of parameters that works for everyone.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Yes, that's what I'm finding out. The more I learn and read, the more I find that there really is no set of parameters that works for everyone.

Yup. Just keep the Stability of what’s working for u.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I'm getting a feel of where reefers with SPS success keep their parameters at. Particularly Alkalinity and Phosphate. Please share nutrients in the discussion

7.3 - 7-7 dkH
PO4 0.05 - 0.12 ppm
NO3 5 - 15ppm

 

[jamesnotjimey.reef]

7.3 - 7-7 dkH
PO4 0.05 - 0.12 ppm
NO3 5 - 15ppm

red field ratio balance?

 

[jmichaelh7]

Yes, that's what I'm finding out. The more I learn and read, the more I find that there really is no set of parameters that works for everyone.

I agree

 

[gbroadbridge]

red field ratio balance?

Is it? I don't know that it's relevant as that ratio is about carbon as well as phosphates and nitrates.

Those numbers are just where I ended up, with happy coral and no significant algae growth.

Obviously a lot of other 'stuff' which is probably not measured is also contributing.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Is it? I don't know that it's relevant as that ratio is about carbon as well as phosphates and nitrates.

Those numbers are just where I ended up, with happy coral and no significant algae growth.

Obviously a lot of other 'stuff' which is probably not measured is also contributing.

what is red field ratio im sorry excuse my ignorance

 

[RichardNeoOcean]

Phofate 0.08-0.1
Nitrate 5.00-10 ppm
Kh 10-11…

dont matter if is hight or low … SPS like only 1 thing … stability! STABILITY! STABILITY!

!!!!!!!!! S.T.A.B.I.L.I.T.Y !!!!!!!!!


thats all… otherwise they will give you only headache .

 

[blaxsun]

Alkalinity of around 8.25-8.35. It can vary by as much as +/- 0.15 during the day, though - so a low of 8.1 and a high of 8.5. I only teat twice a day but it's fairly consistent. Nutrients are a bit higher but I really stopped paying attention to them as the corals are really happy for the most part.

I've got about a dozen SPS of all types: chalices, hydnophoras, cyphastreas, acros, etc.

 

[Dburr1014]

My target is 8alk
If it goes over/under a little, no sweat.
Po4 is 0.08/0.12 always
No3 I have to dose to keep it above 1.0

 

[Dburr1014]

what is red field ratio im sorry excuse my ignorance

Po4 and no3 ratio 1/15.
Carbon is in there also but most refer to these numbers.

 

[LeftyReefer]

My ALK target is 8.5, but as long as it's between 8 and 9, I'm fine and don't make any changes to my dosing.
If ALK drops below 8, I'll bump up my doser a bit to bring it back up to the 8.5 range.
If it rises above 9, then I back off the doser a bit to bring it back to the 8.5 range.
I make small changes to my dosingr schedule. I'll just back off or add a couple ml per day, so changes will take several days to happen. no quick swings.

last test results
ALK 9.0
Nitrates 0.5 ppm
phosphates 0.04 ppm

I have also experimented running my tank at lower ALK levels, like 7 and below. While everything was happy at ALK in the low 6's, growth was very very slow. bumping the ALK up to 8+ definitely speeds up growth.