Faded coral color and High Alk/Zero Nitrate

[garbermatt]

I've noticed my corals have faded over the last several months (sps and lps) which I'm not sure is attributed to my high alkalinity (11.4 currently) it my nitrates, which have been at zero for months (probably partly due to all the macro algae I keep in my DT).

This week I reduced my dosing if BRS 2 Part from 36 ml/day to 30m day. But should I look at dosing potassium nitrate as well to get some nitrates?? Or should I let my alkalinity go down first and see if it helps??

Here are my specs:

120 gallon mixed reef with GHL mitras running two photo periods a day (4 hour and 6 hour with a 5 hour break)
Cal - 400
Alk - 11.4
Nitrate 0
Salinity 1.025
Ph - goes from about 8.2 - 8.3
I feed my 10 fish heavily but have limited algae and almost no coralline (tank is 6 months old and I didn't seed w live rock).

 

[mcgyvr]

The choice is really yours.. lower alk or increase nitrates..

Personally I would increase nitrates as they are a beneficial nutrient and having low levels has been shown to be detrimental/cause problems..

 

[garbermatt]

The choice is really yours.. lower alk or increase nitrates..

Personally I would increase nitrates as they are a beneficial nutrient and having low levels has been shown to be detrimental/cause problems..

Sounds good- it looks like soectracide stump remover from what I've read. I guess I can keep it next to my bayer dip in my reefing/gardening cupboard Lol.


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[bertoni]

There are food-grade sodium nitrate products on Amazon that I'd consider. Or at least, there were such products the last time I checked. Sodium nitrite would be fine for smaller doses, as well.

 

[outssider]

running two photo periods a day (4 hour and 6 hour with a 5 hour break)

Why are you doing this ?...I don't understand the rationale behind this....is this something new I haven't heard of....????

 

[garbermatt]

I like having the lights on as much as possible. Plus it seems to spur a lot of growth and breaking it up it keeps things from heating up too much.

Currently lights on from about 7am - noon then there's a siesta with low intensity blues til 5pm when they go on again until 2300.


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