Alk, mag, ca help!

[Wiskeyrebel]

There's to much info on alk, mag & ca whats the best for my Sps? My tank is at alk 10.6, mag 1440 & ca 420. :fun5:

 

[JamesJR]

Don't let it overwhelm you. Your parameters look fine to me. There are a ton of people out there touting their opinions whether your alk should be 8 or 8.5 or whatever but the fundamental science behind it is simple. The best advice I can tell you is to opt for stability and watch your corals. If you are happy with their growth and coloration than the bottom line is that your parameters are fine. If you want to make a change, do it gradually and watch how your corals respond.

 

[DustinB]

9-11dKH is supposed to be the "normal" range, but as James suggested, if everything is doing good leave it alone. Stability is key, fluctuations cause color loss and tissue recession.

There are many reasons why people have different values such as the case of carbon dosing. Some people report burnt tips with higher alk levels, yet others don't.

There are also some claims that lower alk levels allow a greater uptake of calcium, though I don't know how true this is.

 

[LifeAquatic]

I try and stay close to these parameters. cal 420, alk 9, mag 1400. Its important to keep your mag stable. If mag is low it will be very hard to keep cal and alk at proper levels.

 

[LifeAquatic]

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9-11dKH is supposed to be the "normal" range, but as James suggested, if everything is doing good leave it alone. Stability is key, fluctuations cause color loss and tissue recession.

There are many reasons why people have different values such as the case of carbon dosing. Some people report burnt tips with higher alk levels, yet others don't.

There are also some claims that lower alk levels allow a greater uptake of calcium, though I don't know how true this is.

Actually high levels of ALK and CAl are needed to reach the saturation point. This will make your corals grow faster. Low alk and high calcium will not help growth.

 

[Wiskeyrebel]

Should my alk be lower some of my color is dulling down but the growth is good and its not lighting. Someone told me high alk Sps will brown

 

[LifeAquatic]

Im not sure if high alk will cause browning. Just try and stay between 8-9. It wont hurt to go a little under 8 or a little over 9 sometimes. Try and stay close to whatever number you choose. Stability will help big time.

 

[JamesJR]

As long as they are growing don't tinker around with the parameters too much. Getting coloration takes time. What are your nitrates and Phosphates? How are you testing them?

 

[sweet ride]

If you are running bio pellets and have a low nutrient system then your ALK is a little on the high side. Otherwise as per the other post getting the color that you want will take time so long as you keep your parameter in check.