alk burn

[Jackwkahn]

I read that a low nutrient environment coupled with a higher alk is not good for SPS corals. I have a green acro frag that is not showing great polyp extension, is this a sign of alk burn? (about half the polyps poke their heads out.)

1. Do nutrients refer to NO3 or DOC's?
-My alk is between 10 and 11, Nitrates under 1ppm
2. Do I need to lower my alk? how would i don this? (ca at 440ppm)
-Running Reef Octo 125 recirc and phosban 150 biopellet reactor on heavily stocked/fed 40 br. does 2 tsp/5gal kalk solution through ATO

 

[jbanks]

I know of this to be true in systems where carbon dosing is used like yours (bio pellets).. Definitely allow you alk to drop by not not adding any cal/Alk suppliment for a few days until it is between 7 and 8. Then, start dosing again to keep it stable. You would have to use straight ro/di water for topoff until you get the levels to where you want. Once you add the Kalk back to your topoff water, watch and see if the alk stays stable or if it rises. If it rises, I would either slow the down the topoff drip or lessen the amount of kalk that you are using per gallon.

Nutrients (DOCs) are made up of NO3 and PO4.

Good luck..