alk issues as related to SPS?

G

greystreet41

In Memoriam
what visual effects might one see with low or high alk over a period of time? Historically, I've had a problem keeping it up where it needs to be..finally fixed that issue but swung it too high. Having a few sps show a few random bleach blotches (green slimmer), recession from the top of an ORA tort. All tissue recession appears to have subsided after a lot of water changes and fine tuning....just curious if this could have been my problem with the effects I noted.
thanks,
grey
 
IME low or high(particularly chronically low) alk can cause recession that is typically reversed by getting alk back into a normal range.
Chris
 
Yes at 7dKH acros will lose color overnight...increase Alk color should return in a week or two....10 is a nice number.....

Doc
 
well how do u guys get it there

if u dont mind can u help me on my thread about why im having issues keeping some acros im having a prob with my alk and ph

dont mean to high jack this thread but u may be able to help
 
Always enjoy helping reefers out! Thats why I joined Reef Central....

Let me read it over and see what products you use...or calcium reactor ...etc...

I use all sea chem products.....I buy the stuff by the gallon jugs...

I use REEF complete, and REEF calcium for CA needs, and REEF builder for ph and Alk requirements....Then the only other is REEF plus for iodine, trace elements coral/fish food...and of course instant ocean salt.....

OK I admit it...Years ago I was friends with Leroy and sally joe Headlee, from GARF ....as well as Lionel, Gary, later on ol' Norm....good people...GREAT tanks...and the sea chem/instant ocean was part of their bullet proff system, they had been having success with....I was hooked!!! Started using the sea chem system...will always use it! That was near 7 years ago... GREAT success.....so "if it ain't broke don't fix it...Right...? Or is it...." if it ain't broke give it time"...?

Now I'm getting ready to buy a calcium reactor for my 180 acro tank...I have to admit they are probably the best cheapest easiest route...

But your calcium and Alk must have a good balance...one effects the other...

Ca up....Alk down...Alk up...Ca down....

If too much additives are added at a time...Alk up..Ca up...equalls a aquarium snowstorm....Bad news!!!! Seen it long ago...learned my lesson!

Doc
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7628723#post7628723 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The DOC
Yes at 7dKH acros will lose color overnight...increase Alk color should return in a week or two....10 is a nice number.....

Doc
Click to expand...

Not true my tank is @ 7 now . I have everything from purple monster to digi
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7629164#post7629164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clkwrk
Not true my tank is @ 7 now . I have everything from purple monster to digi
Click to expand...

I concur. 7.0 is not low. Infact MANY SPS keepers, espeically those who have very low nutrients keep thier Alk @7.0 +-.5 dkh. I personally like to keep mine between 7.5 - 8.0 dkh. 10 dkh+ IMO is too high.

Low Alk IMO is about 6.0dkh
 
Agree that 7 dKH will not cause corals to loose colors. I like to keep mine above 7 dKH ...preferably between 8 and 9. NSW is around 8 dKH from what I remember. I have had recession that I attributed to low alk happen around 6.5 dKH. IMO if you are not using a calcium reactor the easiest way to keep alk and Ca in balance is with a commercial or homeade two part additive system. For just raising alk baking soda is cheap and effective.
FWIW, Chris
 
I have personally run experiments....purposly letting the Alk drop to 7 dKh, and the acros only lost some color very quickly..(never said they bleached out or anything)...just lost a little color...would have never noticed if I wasn't watching...raised Alk up to 9 or so and color returned in several days....

I'm not talking major difference but an obvious difference...I have sps tanks at 7 dKH and good color...if I were to raise the Alk I would have better color...thats just fact on my experience folks....

I guess if you disagree...it don't matter...no big deal...but have you ever experimented purposly raising and lowering the dKh, and took notes as to the effect on acro's color?? If not how do you know that this is not true?

Doc
 
"I have had recession that I attributed to low alk happen around 6.5 dKH."

If recession started at 6.5, 7 is almost the same...heck most peoples test kits will have a .5 margin of error....

So I stand by the fact that 7 is too low...not that it can't be done...

Doc
 
Doc, how fast did you bring the Alk down?? My guess is that you brought the alk down too fast and they were used to the higher levels of alk. SPS will adapt to most conditions and react negatively anytime you change things. IMO levels of alk are more important when you have very low nutrients, otherwise its not that crucial to keep your alk ~8. It has been noticed by several SPS keepers if you get alk up much above 8, this can sometimes result in unexplained RTN. Tissue loss typically occurs if you let your alk get down to ~6.0 as well. But like I said, if you were to do it slow enough, I would guess SPS would be ok at that level as well. I choose to run mine 7.5-8.0 just to try and stay in the middle of the extremes.

For the record, I have run my SPS as high as 12dkh and not ovserved any major problem either, but that was purely by accident and quickly corrected. Thankfully I have never had a tank wide RTN/STN episode. I keep my levels pretty stable by using a dual dosing pump and DIY 2-Part
 
I think all are correct. Corals are forgiving at certain range or parameter. What you need to consider is how consistent you can keep the alk at certain level. If you have good husbandry, alk at 7 to 8 is fine. But, if you need that margin of error, alk 9 to 10 would be appropriate.
 
Doc, how fast did you bring the Alk down??
Click to expand...

I tried a number of experiments...brought it down fast and slow....
I do agree with you, in that faster would have a worse effect on the acros....

But seriously I get better acro colors if I keep my Alk above 7...8 is great...just not as low as 7 long term...

Yes stability is the key! As well as good husbandry....I have excellant water quality...steady 5 ppm of nitrates and I wouldn't have any less, or any more...a little nitrate booms those sps colors...too much though is definatly trouble....

I think all are correct. Corals are forgiving at certain range or parameter. What you need to consider is how consistent you can keep the alk at certain level. If you have good husbandry, alk at 7 to 8 is fine. But, if you need that margin of error, alk 9 to 10 would be appropriate.
Click to expand...

YES!!!!! Good call reefer! I agree!

Doc
 
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