What dKH level and Nutrients keep your SPS thriving! Poll

[HudsonReefer2.0]

@DJ Lone1 https://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

 

[Mark3]

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

I keep mine between 8 and 9 ... target 8.5 with a little wiggle.

 

[2_much_junk_in_the_sump]

KH = 8.2
NO3 = 10
PO4 = 0.05

 

[costaricareef]

dkh: 8.5-9.0
NO3: 32
PO4: 0.12

 

[Forty-Two]

I’m generally from 7.9 - 8.4

At the moment I’m trying to keep the fluctuation within .2 to see if that makes a difference in growth

Nitrates: ~5 ppm
Phosphate: .006-1.1

My phosphates seem to drop down to almost 0 around 3 am (so MasterTronic tells me), and then go up to .6 during the day, but I see random swings to .11 ish

I’m not sure yet why they drop to almost 0 at night - still trying to figure it out.

 

[hans4811]

Usually around 7.9 - 8.5 dKH dosing with only Kalk now as I got tired of constantly mixing up my alk/calc couple times a week. 20gal Brute container and I’m good for a month and a bit. N03/P04 usually 6-7 and .05 - .13 with a fuge. PH has improved dramatically…
Before and after shots…K.I.S.S. principal.

 

[Bucs20fan]

So im clearly a noob when it comes to sps, but I obtained an acro millepora on accident thinking I was buying a monti, and when I got it a month ago it was about half an inch tall, now its almost 3 inches tall. Its growing like a dang weed. I thought these grow slow. Y'all are about to murder me here, but my dkh is sitting at 10.5 and .25 phos and 30ppm nitrate. Ive read those typically arent ideal, specifically the alk. But the PE is insane on it and its toasting growth race of my zoas even.

 

[StewL6]

Oh geesh forgot my nutrients levels from earlier post PO4 is typically around .03 - .04 and NO3 is 1.9 to 3.9 if above increase refuge photo period if lower dose some neophos or NeoNitro if chronic then I lower refuge photo period.

 

[MiniCoco]

red field ratio balance?

The redfield ratio is a balance found in the oceans regarding the amount of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorous found in phytoplankton. The significance of this ratio is the fact that our corals in nature consume mostly phytoplankton and are adapted to this food source for their sustained growth and survival. The actual ratio is 106:16:1. So the theory is to try and approach your nutrient load to this ratio to achieve happier corals in our reef tanks. Hope that helps.

 

[animan]

Around 7.5 dKH alkalinity & 0.05 phosphates (Hanna ULR). Haven't measured nitrates in a while.

 

[TonyP]

ALK: 8.0 - 8.5 dkH
PO4: 0.10 - 0.30 ppm
NO3: 10 - 20ppm

I don't chase the specific numbers, just try to keep the parameters stable and consistent (thanks to dosers). As we all know, things will fluctuate no matter what - just try to minimize the fluctuations.

 

[las]

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

So, to sum it up, would it be fair to say that one should find a spot in their nutrient levels where their particular corals look best in their particular tank, and try to lock on that range of parameters for the long run? And, that for whatever reason, that could be very different from tank to tank. Even if you are keeping similar corals?

 

[las]

dKh maintained at 9.4 by apex and Neptune automatic dosing (daily fluctuation from 9.2 - 9.6)
Much higher nutrients then everyone else here Nitate approx 50. Phosphate .5. Everything is thriving.

Are you keeping those numbers stable?

 

[Perry]

6.8dkh-7.5dkh
Been keeping these levels for many years, and have mainly chosen salt brands that mix to NSW values. Some consider these levels razors edge, and I laugh as I have seen values as low as 5.2dkh with no ill effects. I would prefer N03 at 5-10ppm, currently 22ppm. I prefer P04 at .08-.12ppm, currently locked in at .10ppm. My colors are fantastic, but I keep many deepwater smoothies and find that they prefer lower N03. I think it was mentioned that keeping a variety of corals means some will be happy, while others having varying temperaments. I keep 90% acros and still have those stubborn ones My thoughts...

 

[X-37B]

6.8dkh-7.5dkh
Been keeping these levels for many years, and have mainly chosen salt brands that mix to NSW values. Some consider these levels razors edge, and I laugh as I have seen values as low as 5.2dkh with no ill effects. I would prefer N03 at 5-10ppm, currently 22ppm. I prefer P04 at .08-.12ppm, currently locked in at .10ppm. My colors are fantastic, but I keep many deepwater smoothies and find that they prefer lower N03. I think it was mentioned that keeping a variety of corals means some will be happy, while others having varying temperaments. I keep 90% acros and still have those stubborn ones My thoughts...

About what I run on my acro systems.
Close to NSW levels.
Dkh 6.5-7.5
Ca 420-450
Mag 1300-1350
No3 <5
Po4 <.1

This is the range have followed for years now.

Never an issue with NSW dkh levels. Average ocean dkh is 6.5.

Thier are coral vendors that will tell you to keep your dkh at NSW levels of 8-9. 8-9 is fine but its incorrect to tell the masses that the ocean is 8-9dkh. You wonder whay so many people get confused.