What do you keep your levels at?

[FL_Reefer]

So as I'm doing my weekly testing today I'm thinking to myself what do others keep there levels at and why? I've noticed a slight difference in growth and the reaction of my corals at different levels of Kg,cal & mag. In my tank I keep a range of softies, LPS & some SPS. If you refer to the ranges that most charts or reef care programs there is quite a bit of range in numbers, so where and how do you decide to keep yours at? I'm just curious what you keep your perimeters at and why? Ie. different reactions in growth, pe, color of corals and how you have come to where you want to keep your levels, especially with Kh. 7-12 is quite a bit of range.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I run biopellets so I target 7 - 7.5 dKH for alk and target 400for calc and 1400 for mag. I have a 90 gallon DT mixed reef

 

[FL_Reefer]

I run biopellets so I target 7 - 7.5 dKH for alk and target 400for calc and 1400 for mag. I have a 90 gallon DT mixed reef

Is there any reason why your keeping your kh at 7-7.5? (On the low end of the range) I have noticed in my own tank a better reaction with a mag level of around 1400 as well but if you refer to the Red Sea reef program it tells you to keep mag at 1280 for sps/low nutrient system.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Is there any reason why your keeping your kh at 7-7.5? (On the low end of the range)..........

I haven't experienced this, and don't want to, but it is said that low nutrient systems are more susceptible to alk burn. Therefore it is suggested that you run alk on the low side. And I should point out, everything is growing like a weed.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Ok makes sense, I tend to keep my alk low as well 8-8.4dkh and seem to see my corals happier at these levels. Thanks for sharing

 

[mike007]

If you are running a low nutrient tank your alk level should be 7-8 dkh. I run my tank at 7.5 alk,mag,1350 and calcium 400ppm.

 

[FL_Reefer]

If you are running a low nutrient tank your alk level should be 7-8 dkh. I run my tank at 7.5 alk,mag,1350 and calcium 400ppm.

Thanks for the input Mike, your numbers are just about where I keep mine at (8-8.4dkh, 420-430ppm cal & mag 1400 ppm) have you ever strayed from these? And how did you arrive at where to keep them there? Have you noticed a difference when or if they have been different?

 

[mike007]

I try to stay within these parameters. I carbon dose that's why I keep my alk. low to prevent burning my sps .Since I have implemented my dosing pump it is much easier to keep these parameters stable.

 

[FL_Reefer]

I carbon dose as well, I hear ya about the dosing pump, my next purchase, lol thanks for the input.

 

[120REEF]

8-9 dkh 420 to 440 calcium 1360 mag works for me

 

[FL_Reefer]

Has anyone noticed a difference in coral reaction From keeping your cal level at 400 opposed to 420 or mag levels at 1350 opposed to 1400? Or do you all get the same results just keeping them in the ''correct range''. Not saying that my levels stray from what I've posted but just curious how and maybe why you keep your levels where you keep them. I understand that consistency and keeping them the same is the best practice to do but maybe I'm thinking way to far into this. I've had pretty good success and good growth and color as to what I'm doing now but just wondering if there are things to get better.

 

[redfishbluefish]

............Since I have implemented my dosing pump it is much easier to keep these parameters stable.

This is a BIG + !.


As that infomercial states, "Set it and forget it." You still have to do testing every so often to make sure you levels stay put, but no more, "I forgot to dose today!"

 

[TJ's Reef]

I'm still fine tuning my dosing pump a bit but currently at S.G. 1.026, Cal 480, Alk 4- meq/7.5+ dkh, Mg 1450. My 125g Display though is a very high bio-load Mixed Reef. I try to keep Calcium and Alk up with my SPS growth but not easy. When I was still manually dosing my Calcium could drop from 500-ish to 260 or so in a week while gone on vacation or extended fishing trip. Cannot remember off top of my head but originally set up my dosing to someone else's dosing schedule for a 300dd Reeftank that they posted guessing at the amount of coral in theirs being equal to mine. I cannot even imagine now what a chore it would be to keep up manually.

Cheers, Todd

 

[FL_Reefer]

That's what I'm talking about guys, one keeps there mag at 1350, one keeps there mag at 1400 and one keeps there mag at 1450. Also one keeps cal at 400 one at 480. That's a big difference in levels. What is the determining factor for the levels. Is it just a tank by tank thing and what works best for your tank or is there some science and trials and tribulations to the levels you keep? Thanks for everyone's input as well.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Bump, it's not that I'm chasing numbers just curious if people have noticed anything different at different levels of Dkh,cal,mag? Please share your experiences

 

[Masgatigata]

I keep my Alk at 9, CA at 460, and Mag at 1350. I don't really worry about my CA and Mag as much as my Alk. I check Alk numbers daily. My Ca and Mag I test about once a week. I've noticed that my sps have better polyp extension at 9 than they did at 7. I think the most important thing is to choose a number and keep those numbers consistent. Corals do not seem to enjoy fluctuations.

 

[Alabamareef]

Alk 8.0-8.3, Ca 420-450, Mg 1400, I run carbon, and biopellets. Not really sure what you guys are talking about with BP and running low Alk as to not burn your SPS, I need to look that up so if someone could elaborate that would be great. Also what does a coral look like that has been burnt?

 

[FL_Reefer]

I keep my Alk at 9, CA at 460, and Mag at 1350. I don't really worry about my CA and Mag as much as my Alk. I check Alk numbers daily. My Ca and Mag I test about once a week. I've noticed that my sps have better polyp extension at 9 than they did at 7. I think the most important thing is to choose a number and keep those numbers consistent. Corals do not seem to enjoy fluctuations.

That's what I was looking for thank you for sharing, ie polyp extension. I never really have problems with keep my numbers constant but was wondering about different levels with different results as you stated, thanks again.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Alk 8.0-8.3, Ca 420-450, Mg 1400, I run carbon, and biopellets. Not really sure what you guys are talking about with BP and running low Alk as to not burn your SPS, I need to look that up so if someone could elaborate that would be great. Also what does a coral look like that has been burnt?

I've noticed not as good of color in some tanks in a low nutrient system and high dkh. But in other tanks I've seen good color with a high dkh. How did you decide on where to keep your numbers there? Have you tried different levels with different results? Or did you just pick a number and stuck with it?

 

[Alabamareef]

I've read lots of the TOM threads and I have a friend that has been doing SPS a while. But since there are many ways to be successful I started with a number and I try to adjust my numbers on what the coral looks like. I use to run a very clean system, so I thought, by keeping a low p04, 0.03 and a nitrite, 0.0. My tank was over run with hair algae, long story. Now my system seems much more dirty but the corals look better than ever. Good polyp extension and color...

I've noticed not as good of color in some tanks in a low nutrient system and high dkh. But in other tanks I've seen good color with a high dkh. How did you decide on where to keep your numbers there? Have you tried different levels with different results? Or did you just pick a number and stuck with it?