When do corals grow?

[Bill_Moorman]

Something that I have been wondering for the past few nights:

When do most LPS corals grow? For example, do they grow most at night, during the day, or all around?

I've noticed my alk drops more overnight than during the day, which leads me to think they grow overnight but I am not sure.

I've done some googling but haven't found anything conclusive.


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[sirclintler]

Your alk shouldn't drop at night. Are you referring to PH? Coral cannot grow without light. The light feeds the zooxanthellae which in turn feeds your coral.

 

[Daddi0]

I dont know if it helps but zooxanthalae are only active from about 1 hour after lights on and for approx. 8 hours. and not at all in the dark.

 

[Bill_Moorman]

I suppose I should clarify. I measure in the mornings, so from 6am to 6am, I drop .4 alk.




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[sirclintler]

Well you should not see it rise back up. A drop is a good thing it means your corals are using it to grow. To solve the drop add more alk but it is a fine line that you have to find. To much and you will raise your dkh to high, how much are you dosing now? Sneak up on it don't rush. You will know when you don't see a loss or gain and its where you want it . I keep mine at 8.3 i think the rule of thumb is between 8 and 11

 

[Bill_Moorman]

I should further clarify lol

I understand the alk, mag and calcium parameters and how they are interrelated. I am seeing a stable drop each day of about .3 or .2 in alk and i manually dose two part.

I'm pretty anal about parameters. Here is my params log: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rSnms37-fbvL-Sfm8emDjQk78MerXPJvGsptMjON8qs

I set the tank up in January.





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