Bombertech Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 Just curious, anyone running their Alk at 10-11? I'm researching parameters for a 100% softy/chalice tank. I'd never run my SPS/LPS that high... Quote
Mandinga Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 I used to...had excellent success with most corals. 11 was where I wanted to be, but it was hard on pumps. The calcium buildup was ridiculous(more like cement). I'm loving the 8.5-9dKh now...pumps are lasting much longer. SPS seemed to really like the high Alk, but I didnt have too many LPS(besides acans, which did ok) Quote
Bombertech Posted January 9, 2015 Author Posted January 9, 2015 Thanks Mandinga, I'm targeting 10.5, coming up slowly from 8dKh I usually pull all moving parts once a quarter so we'll see how it goes... Quote
Lexinverts Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 I was at 11 for a while and I had pumps seizing up every couple weeks. It was just way too much work to keep everything running. Now I'm down where Mandinga is, around 8.5. Quote
Jorge Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 Higher alk means more co2 which I try to avoid to keep my ph higher . My theory just from my own personal experience and seeing different peoples tanks is lower alk means slower growth but better coloration. Could be because the slower growth allows for "fattier" tissue buildup therefore promoting brighter coloration. Just a theory. Sorry if its off topic. Quote
Trigger334 Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 (edited) Between 9-11 is what I keep my tanks at, keeps a higher pH. Edited January 9, 2015 by Trigger334 Quote
TheClark Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 I had to stay pretty low in the 7-8 range due to carbon dosing. Plan to move it back up now somewhere around 8-9. Quote
Bombertech Posted January 10, 2015 Author Posted January 10, 2015 Higher alk means more co2 which I try to avoid to keep my ph higher . My theory just from my own personal experience and seeing different peoples tanks is lower alk means slower growth but better coloration. Could be because the slower growth allows for "fattier" tissue buildup therefore promoting brighter coloration. Just a theory. Sorry if its off topic. Indeed, that is my understanding as well. The higher alk allows the carbon to be taken up faster. Running lighting at high levels, heavy feeding, and high alk should be an interesting test... I'm not too worried about the high alk browning zoas but if it is a problem, I'll report back with my findings. Acro's are well documented as browning out due to high alk. 2 Quote
Bombertech Posted January 10, 2015 Author Posted January 10, 2015 I've noticed zoas tend to lose color when alk drops below 8.5 Quote
icepikbiker Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 I usually run my Alk right around 11.5-12.5, Ph is 8-8.4, I think I have pretty decent coloring pink birds nest is bright pink acro is purple with bright green polyps. The only coral I've noticed not coloring out like it should is my German blue polyp, it has browned out and the polyps are greenish. Haven't had much problems with pumps or power heads, but I usually run them in a vinegar bath bi-monthly along with our coffee maker. Quote
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