Low nutrient tanks what do you run your Alk

[Hef]

I ran in the 7's all year. Was using NSW for a good part of the year. I've had some problems with a couple of corals. Showing signs of STN, but recovering. Some people mentioned it could be low Alk.
I've gone up to 9.0 now, it's too soon to say it's doing any good, but I can say everything looks good.
I dont know if there is any proof that higher Alk numbers cause problems. My theory was always that the lower numbers are easier to keep stable. Higher alk can bounce, and drop quickly if not maintained, causing Big Problems.

 

[AlgaeMan]

I keep my Alk 8-9 DKH

 

[my2girls]

dKH 8
SG 1.025
pH 7.8-8.2
Ca 400

Hef- I think your right on about high alk (10+) It bounces around too much to keep things stable. (For me anyway).

 

[onthefly]

dKH 7.0 - 8.0

Ca 400 - 425

 

[fritzdawg21]

Alk 9.8
ca 450
ph never tested

 

[DRZL-sauras]

9-10 DKH, since ive switched to TM from oceanic (6-7 DKH), IMO the higher alk is making my corals grow quicker as well as the coralline.

 

[clkwrk]

I have noticed some more vibrant colors since my alk has been 8 - 8.6 dkh down from 10-11 dkh.

Has anyone seen simular ?

 

[Bomber]

Nope, but then I've always run mine around 6-7

 

[clkwrk]

Why so low? Enlighten me

I also seen a few posts where you mention its not the corals that need stability its the tank that needs it ? Does this apply to BB setups as much as it would for a dsb type setup?

Thanks!

 

[arconom]

8-9

 

[clkwrk]

Okay so sps do okay with low alk levels . Just tested my frag tank and it was down at 6.4 dkh

 

[clkwrk]

So what gives. I have had sucess with ranges between 6-11 but havent noticed any real difference.

 

[Biggie]

I listen to the large tank owners who say 7-8 they have less flucuation in there beheamouth mini-oceans. That may be the overall key here to keep the flucuations down. Reading over this thread thats the single common theme.

 

[fritzdawg21]

As posted I run my alk @ 9.8, I run 2 ca reactors and get 0 flucuation, I mean it has been that for 1.5 years. Any higher though and it gets hard to keep it the same, so i will say from experance it is easier to maintain a lower alk, and besides it's more important to maintain a CONSTANT value more than anything else regardless of the number. (for the most part anyway)

 

[prodman]

I used to run mine high and lost corals every so often. But I have not lost any corals since I lowered it to 6-7dkh when I started zeo. I mix IO and oceanic to get mine that low.

 

[vwluv10338]

I have just had two corals STN on me and my alk was just tested at 12. How can I bring it down?

Eric

 

[orion76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6330640#post6330640 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vwluv10338
I have just had two corals STN on me and my alk was just tested at 12. How can I bring it down?

Eric

Turn off the CO2 on your calcium reactor or stop dosing if you are using a 2 part solution until the desired alkalinity is reached.

 

[vwluv10338]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6330839#post6330839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by orion76
Turn off the CO2 on your calcium reactor or stop dosing if you are using a 2 part solution until the desired alkalinity is reached.

All I am using right now is dripping kalk and my CA is only at 340-360. Should I stop dripping untill my alk comes down?

Eric

 

[fishdoc11]

All I am using right now is dripping kalk and my CA is only at 340-360. Should I stop dripping untill my alk comes down?

You can just dose Ca (lfs bought like turbo calcium or Dowflake if you like) for a few days and that should bring your alk down and raise your Ca.

Chris

 

[drock59]

Im running mine about 9.6 dkh right now and have been considering lowering it for some time.