Anyone adding potassium

[Osama]

My LPS guy says for better coloring add Potassium. I never did in 20 yrs. Anyone that add it, pls let me know how much and does it help .. I noticed that under LEDs the coloring of corals is on the brownish side when I compare to my older systems when I used MHs.

 

[shesacharmer]

I only dose Mag and water change for everything else.

 

[Osama]

Thanks shesacharmer: Yeh I dose Mag Alk and Calc... Wanted to hear about effect of Potassium? Anyone??

 

[Dapg8gt]

There are people adding potassium to their reef but only after testing for it (well should be testing for it). I was looking into it and my doubts were gone after I tested it (salifert) and found my levels to be above 400 consistently.

Bottom line is I would not add it until you get a test kit for it and honestly most salt mixes have enough of it readily available to sustain most reefs . But as you know all tanks are different and it's a good test kit to have when in doubt with color.

 

[Osama]

Thanks I have to look as I may have a salifert test for Potassium Thanks Dapg8gt Does it help colors?

 

[Dapg8gt]

Thanks I have to look as I may have a salifert test for Potassium Thanks Dapg8gt Does it help colors?

I'm really not sure on lps but for sps it's said to enhance reds (maybe another color along with it) and could help with light colors (sps) that I know of.. I'm not sure but seems feasible as coral tissue is what we are talking about

Here's a quick search of a thread related to the article I was referring to. It is talking sps though so like I said never thought about it for lps

.http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2300585

 

[ca1ore]

I tried conservative dosing of potassium without also testing (yeah, I know .....) and found it to make no difference so I stopped. Keep in mind that coral coloration is affected more by how it 'fluoresces' under various lights, than it's underlying health. That yours appear more brown may simply mean that you need to tweak the color balance a bit (if your light allows that). It's no coincidence that many of the 'frag mills' selling corals photograph their corals under blue lights - and then folks wonder why it looks different in their tanks .

 

[Osama]

Thanks Dap8gt: as I am interested in both SPS & LPS Have to read some Appreciate it

 

[Sk8r]

Read the content of your salt mix and if you don't like the balance try another brand. That is the safest way to supplement traces: do water changes.

 

[Osama]

Thanks CA1ORE & SK8r.. I am interested in Potassium as my Installer suggested it. I will pursue reading about it for a learning experience and I greatly appreciate all the opinions expressed here as I strive to learn from knowledgeable others. I am not dissatisfied with the coral growth in my tank . Mostly it has been phenomenal. If there is anything I can learn to enhance appearance without negatively affecting the corals then I will pursue. I am thankful for all your help. Here is a picture of my 500g that has been running for 8-9 months.