Zoos and alk?

[Snookster]

Anyone know if low alk (4ish) will affect zoas? I've had a few starting to recede and after testing various params, the only thing appearing out of whack is ca and alk are rather low.

 

[gh0st]

Low Alk usually indicates an imbalance in Calcium, PH, or Magnesium as well.

If any of them get out of whack, corals start getting unhappy.

 

[RokleM]

To be clear, 4 of what measurement? meq/l? If so, that's about 11dKh which is ok or even on the high side in most people's opinions. 4dKh would be below critical level for most inhabitants would be suffering (including coralline algae, inverts, etc).

 

[Snookster]

Dkh via the API kit. It was between 4 & 5 drops. LPS suggested I start Kalk dosing since both are low. Other corals including sps look ok at the moment. PH is 8.2. This systems been up for 16 months and I've never dosed anything other than the occasional vodka up to a couple of months ago when I started solid pellets. PO4 & NO3 are not measurable via my kits.

 

[RokleM]

While I don't know the ATI kit, something is wrong there. Your SPS should be dead at 4-5dKh or at best in VERY bad shape.

 

[Snookster]

Ok, retested. Came in at 8 this time. I'll retest again shortly and see what happens.

 

[SIR PATRICK]

Alk is pretty important to zoas, especially alk swings. Very common cause to many polyp issues. They like alk nice and stable.