multiple questions due to new salt being used

[metalmulisha]

1. What does everyone keep their ALK at?

I'm at 9.95 from a hanna checker. I always kept mine at 8-9 but saw some succesful sps keepers having theirs at 7-8 no higher than 8. Then I see other saying 10-11.


2. what salt are you using?

Started using Red Sea Coral pro salt which has a higher ALK. Not really feeling this salt but it sure dissolves fast. Anyone have a combination they use or a salt with a lower ALK such as 7-9? i use to use IO or tropic marin.

3. Has anyone seen their SPS react for better or worst when at a lower ALK 7-8 or 9-10 or 11-12?

 

[Bigcefa]

People who keep alk low may be doing it because they carbon dose. 9.5 is a fine number just keeP an eye on how your coral reacts if your gonna move your alk up or down do it slowly . And ps I hate redsea salt

 

[ek9vboi]

1. 9 is where I prefer and so far I've seen big improvements. But then again I just started dosing and my levels are up to par. I figure some like it higher and some like it lower... why not hit the middle. It's working so far and growth is incredible for me. This is all on a shorter photo period as well, as soon as I get my lights lower, I'll start to bring up the photoperiod.

2. I'm currently using RC and it seems to be fine. Alk level is a little high for me but I might be switching back to IO and supplementing whatever is needed to match my parameters before doing the WC. I get some slight brown crap everyone is talking about with RC but it doesn't bother me since I have my new salt mix going into the sock before mixing with the tank water.

 

[allsps40]

Alk 9-10
Salt being used right now Seachem Marine, seems to be a good slat mixes fast, clean and in the parameters I like.

 

[ChrisKirkland]

Usually keep my alk between 8 and 9. I use Red Sea Coral Pro and have for a long time with great success. Remember that everyone one has an opinion of what salt is the best. Every salt will work well to different people. Every salt will have people that rant about it and people that swear by it. Its all a matter of opinion. SPS will react differently based on where the alk levels have been kept in the past. Some are use to a low alk and some are use to a higher alk. Large alk swings should be avoided as it will cause burnt tips and a few other issues with SPS. This is just from my experience.

 

[metalmulisha]

Usually keep my alk between 8 and 9. I use Red Sea Coral Pro and have for a long time with great success. Remember that everyone one has an opinion of what salt is the best. Every salt will work well to different people. Every salt will have people that rant about it and people that swear by it. Its all a matter of opinion. SPS will react differently based on where the alk levels have been kept in the past. Some are use to a low alk and some are use to a higher alk. Large alk swings should be avoided as it will cause burnt tips and a few other issues with SPS. This is just from my experience.

Chris,

I'm using Red Sea coral pro and getting a 12 Alk. I made a new batch with ro/di and 12.36 alk. I run my tank at 8-9 alk and saw a jump when I did a 40 gallon water change. I have never used Red sea coral pro no did I look at the alk. When I did look at the inserted piece of the specs of the salt at a 1.025 salinity it was 12.36-a higher 12 number. So when you say 8-9 I'm confused cause the red sea states alk at 12. I only point that out cause I want 8-9 alk and screwed over my monti's, birdnest etc the last 24-36 hours.

 

[metalmulisha]

1. 9 is where I prefer and so far I've seen big improvements. But then again I just started dosing and my levels are up to par. I figure some like it higher and some like it lower... why not hit the middle. It's working so far and growth is incredible for me. This is all on a shorter photo period as well, as soon as I get my lights lower, I'll start to bring up the photoperiod.

2. I'm currently using RC and it seems to be fine. Alk level is a little high for me but I might be switching back to IO and supplementing whatever is needed to match my parameters before doing the WC. I get some slight brown crap everyone is talking about with RC but it doesn't bother me since I have my new salt mix going into the sock before mixing with the tank water.

I'm confused, I saw people saying IO alk is at 11? How do you keep it at 9? I'm looking for a salt thats 7-8 but atleast 8-9 alk.

 

[ChrisKirkland]

Chris,

I'm using Red Sea coral pro and getting a 12 Alk. I made a new batch with ro/di and 12.36 alk. I run my tank at 8-9 alk and saw a jump when I did a 40 gallon water change. I have never used Red sea coral pro no did I look at the alk. When I did look at the inserted piece of the specs of the salt at a 1.025 salinity it was 12.36-a higher 12 number. So when you say 8-9 I'm confused cause the red sea states alk at 12. I only point that out cause I want 8-9 alk and screwed over my monti's, birdnest etc the last 24-36 hours.

Ok, so here is a really good article by Rand Holmes-Farley on how alk and calcium effect each other. I run my Calcium at like 450-480 which makes the alk lower. This article will explain it better: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry

 

[ChrisKirkland]

All salts will have a slightly higher alk then what you are wanting to hit That is done on purpose.

 

[rogerwilco357]

I used to keep my alk at 8 ..now started over after a year off and keeping it at 10dkh and notice alot more growth go figure? calcium at 450. using 2 part brs..seems to be working.