High ALC bleaching LR?

[haninja]

I have 20g that started 6 month ago as fowlr that I’m turning into a reef.
About 2-3 month ago I replaced all the base rock I had with LR and also upgraded the lighting to 2x65w PC.
Recently I started noticing that my rock is starting to bleach. I have read in other posts that it can be due to various reasons namely intense lighting and high ALC.
Last ALC test was kinda high â€"œ 140 â€"œ with 100-125 being the best range.

Is the high ALC the cause? What can I do to reduce it?

 

[drummereef]

I'm not familiar with that number system for the alk. You should be targeting 7-11dkh for alkalinity. See if this conversion will work for your testkit.

http://ozreef.org/library/tables/alkalinity_conversion.html

 

[haninja]

I use Hagen GH/KH Test Kit which is PPM. Based on the conversion table my reading of 400ppm equivalents to 8.0dKH. I guess it’s not high after all…
Still would like to figure out why my LR is bleaching.

 

[haninja]

bump

 

[seapug]

low alk causes it to bleach-- high alk helps it grow as does generally "clean" water and subdued lighting. Try getting your alk up to 10-12 dkh and make sure your phos. and nitrates are in line. What's your calcium level? Coralline uses calcium. How often do you change water? Too much poop doesn't help either.

 

[drummereef]

I would look into a 2-part suppliment for keeping your alkalinity and calcium in check. Many factors can cause coralline to bleach. Fluxuating alk, lighting, open to air, etc... A more important issue to deal with is your alkalinity and calcium levels.


Please read:
Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm