How to Support SPS Growth?

[anthworks]

I have really high PH (8.6) but can't keep my ALK up (7.5 DKH)? My SPS pieces are growing great but the colors are a little faded. Would heavy growth drag down the ALK? I run a reactor but it canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t keep up with my ALK?

Any suggestions to keeping up ALK demand? I am using an MRC CR-1 w/ ARM media.

 

[chadfarmer]

growth will bring down alk

best thing to do is bump where you want it (not to fast)

and use the calcium reactor to maintain that level


what is the magnesium?

 

[anthworks]

Magnesium is 1250. I use a reactor. Would adding supplements to raise ALK be a bad idea with a reactor? It seems as high as i crank up the reactor (steady stream drip and bubble count of every 2 seconds) the ALK stays just below 8. I use a reef builder product to raise alk but I stopped because it messed with PH and the higher ALK effect would only last a couple of days.

 

[cvye]

The alkalinity part of a 2 part solution should do it for you. How's your Calcium reading?

 

[djperezo]

IMHO, having a range of 6-8 dKH is ideal, and yes what's ur Ca?

 

[NoSchwag]

Isnt a high alk demand a sign of de-nitrifying bacteria doing it's thing?

 

[MiddletonMark]

What salt do you use?

 

[fishypets]

I had the same problem and once I bumped my CO2 count up to 1 bubble/sec everything is fine now.

 

[Amphiprion]

High pH will not allow as much of the various alkalinity ions to stay in solution. Chances are, when you get your pH down to normal values, your other parameters should level out. With a reactor, it should bring your pH values down a bit. Maybe you don't have the CO2 adjusted properly.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

I'd recalibrate your pH monitor, just to be sure the pH really is 8.6. If it is I'd be surprised, considering you have a calcium reactor. A pH of 8.6 is fine though and will encourage rapid calcification but it will also encourage abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate. If your pH really is 8.6 (I assume in the evening?) then I'd use a two-part additive to maintain calcium and alkalinity (see Randy's). I would keep calcium under 450 ppm though, and probably more like 400-420 ppm to slow abiotic precipitation. With a pH of 8.6, normal calcium, and slightly high alkalinity one can get really explosive calcification, but it will require cleaning pumps often.

Best,

Chris

 

[anthworks]

Calcium is low as well about 300. I use IO but dont do water changes enough. My nitrates are always really low to zero so I dont sweat then to often.

The PH monitor was recalibrated on Monday thats why i was shocked at how high the PH was... I top off with kalk mixed about a teaspoon a gallon. I run a refugium that lighted at night. I also have outside air pumped to the beckett input on my skimmer. When I added the reactor I was concerned that my PH would fall off but it has risen. I never really saw I had problem since everything is growing and healthy.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6701821#post6701821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishypets
I had the same problem and once I bumped my CO2 count up to 1 bubble/sec everything is fine now.

What is your drip count? I raised my CO2 Count to about one every 1 1/2 seconds and the drip to almost a steady stream of drips.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

I'd get some calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate and the problems will probably be solved.

Chris

 

[kmagyar]

Anthony, I had the same problem with my tank in its first year. I cannot pin down what it was that helped but here are some suggestions from my experiences.
I currently run a calcium reactor and use b-ionic to help keep up with my alk and CA. ph is 8.1

Some of the changes I made were.
Added more flow with an oceans motions 4 way on a dart. That replaced my old closed loop with a 100gph mdx and sea swirls.

Removed most of my substrate (all cc) from 2.5 + inches to less than 1". A big improvement!

once a week I use a mag 7 to create a storm.

more feeding

I use anything with amino acids. currently salifert amino. use dot use kent coral accel?

Maybe you could gather some ideas on what to try next. My website has a progression page on it, but it needs to be fixed. I'll get it working so yo ucan check my progress.