alk issues as related to SPS?

I run my Alk around 8 dKh.

IMO, no reason to keep below NSW, esp since [in comparison to Calcium] carbonate is in lower concentration.

IME, I've had more problems when Alk goes below 7 vs. above 10.

I've heard better color with high Alk, better color with low Alk ... and frankly think carbonate levels, while important for coral health/growth, don't really affect color unless imbalanced or wildly varying [thus a negative health impact on the coral].
 
Okay all you think one shouldn't keep all above NSW which is 8 IYO.

Then I say why keep it above NSW .

The alkalinity of natural seawater is primarily a measure of bicarbonate plus two times the carbonate concentration. In the ocean, it varies by location and depth. In surface waters, it usually varies between about 2.25 and 2.45 meq/L (6.3 to 6.9 dKH).

My tank has run @ or alittle above 7 for sometime and I do have awesome colors and growth .

Besides the point that NSW is lower than 8dkh. I feel from my experience ALK has had no effect on my sps except that once I came below 10dkh I have not had any recession . I followed the high ca and high alk bandwagon and now I try my best to keep levels near or @NSW .

But I am not convinced that sps need rock soild stability . IMO its our system that needs it and when we have swings or keep things outside the NSW zone is when our systems effect our sps. You guys need to look deeper into your tanks and not just the skin (the corals)
 
Not sure anyone here is disagreeing with you friend....8 is good....lower is better than higher..yes....

"You guys need to look deeper into your tanks and not just the skin (the corals)"


__________________

Its all good man...no need in getting riled up...its just a Alk discussion...nothing to interesting or a area of heavy debate....

Doc
 
If anyones tank is running fine no matter what your readings are,8.9.10 what ever.If you have great color and growth.Why even worry about it.I just see the need?If you are having problems,that's different.We all running things different,and not just Alk.And we all use different salts also.All these test an Alk were done before,most of us we in the hobby.I don't think even Bomber levels were below 8.0.Not saying he is right.But most of us,don't let it drop that low.Again I don't see,what you are trying to get at.If your tank is running high fine,what even bother.The whole key to Alk is stable readings,no matter what that reading is.Just keep it there,and same results will appear.Growth / Color.
 
just an update from my original post...
after 3 days and a 60-70% system waterchange over the 3 days I got my alk down from 20 (yes 20) to 12.5. Calcium is back to the mid 350s. I lost an ORA blue tort frag I've had for 6 months and a decent sized green slimmer colony isn't looking too good. Everything else looks fine at this point, but effects may not be evident til later...just wanted to share the update.
 
WOW thats high! I think we all here can agree with that at least ...that 209 is just a bit to high...lol

Reefflections
You hit the nail on the head friend!

Doc
 
gota watch that Kalk..its very potant stuff...whats your PH....? Calcium...?

I would vdefinatly slowly bring it down....just cut back on the Kalk additions....

Doc
 
Stop dripping kalk ;)


Are you dripping kalk to combat low ph ? If so find another alternative like outside air being fed to your skimmer or increase areation which could mean flow.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7642137#post7642137 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishdoc11
I am assuming that has to be dKH right Casey?
What caused to to rise so high?
Chris
Click to expand...

Chris, yes, dkh.
I made up a new batch of alk doser from Randy's 2 part, but this time didn't "bake" the baking soda. I have NEVER been able to get in my alk into a normal range (always too low), so in an effort to do so I just simply overdosed.
 
I am going to unburry this thread as when I did a search it seems that there were a lot people on here talking about what I need help with.

I have a tank that has always ran high on ALK. I just tested with Salifert test kits and I get:

CA: 420
ALK: 13
MAG: 1260

My tank has run at these levels for the past 1 1/2 years. I have good color and good growth but every once in awhile I see what I believe to be "alkalinity burns" on some corals. What can I do to safely lower my ALK?

If anyone is interested on more information on my tank you can look here: http://www.greateriowareefsociety.com/html/featuredtank.html

Any help would be appreciated!
 
I would stop with alk additions until it drops naturally on its own. The restart alk additions to match daily usage.
 
I do not add anything. I have a CA reactor and I have a kalk reactor that is hooked up to my aquacontroler to stabilize PH that doses about 2 gals/day to account for evaporation. I have read that kalk increase ALK but it was high like this prior to adding the kalk reactor.
 
Then you can turn off the CA RX until it comes down and then just adjust your reactor to a slower flow so it adds less.

For me my reactor can drive my tanks alk through the roof if it is adjusted wrong. Also you can up your ph in your reactor to lessen the amount of media that is dissolved.
 
So a faster drip rate and slower bubble count on the CA Reactor? Both or just one?

Thanks for your help!
 
Either will raise the ph in your reactor and slow the alk being added. I would start by lowering the bubble count by 10-20 percent then see what effect it has in a day or 2. You do not want to drop your alk too quickly, maybe 1-2 dkh a week.
 
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