9.5 Alk (1 Viewer)

[steved350]

So I’ve normally ran my alk at 9.5 for no other reason than that’s that I picked when i started my calcium reactor. After talking to several people I’m in the minority up at 9.5 and want to drop it to 8.5. Alkalinity swings are a bad thing so how long should I take to get down to 8.5?


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[RR-MAN]

Slow down the calcium reactor effluent it should drop off soon depends on how much corals consume.

In my opinion keep it at 9.5 for two reasons. First-you don't have to mess up too much with calcium reactor to fine tune and second, depends on the type of salt use most salts have higher DKH so you will have a lesser swing after water change unless you are using salt with lower DKH.




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[steved350]

I guess I was actually looking for reasons not to do it so sounds like I’m good. I have no issues other than having to increase alkalinity in my water chance vat. Fritz Pro usually mixes up at 8-8.5.


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[RR-MAN]

-Higher DKH keeps the tank out of the danger zone. Imagine you keep it at 8, and due so some equipment malfunction it' drops below 8. Some corals can't handle that and bleaching happens very quick.

-In my experience, in lower DKH SPS show better color.


Just like everything else in the hobby there are pros and cons.

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[mittens]

this is the beauty behind my mushroom only tank. no alk consumption. salt used is regular red sea which mixes at 8.5dkh. dkh stays consistent through week till weekly WC. water replaced is the same 8.5dkh. rock solid alk parameter

 

[RR-MAN]

this is the beauty behind my mushroom only tank. no alk consumption. salt used is regular red sea which mixes at 8.5dkh. dkh stays consistent through week till weekly WC. water replaced is the same 8.5dkh. rock solid alk parameter

Your shroom tank probably cost more than my 500/g tank. That's a big disadvantage I guess. LOL!

 

[mittens]

Your shroom tank probably cost more than my 500/g tank. That's a big disadvantage I guess. LOL!

It’s not about the cost man. Bet they’re equally rewarding. Plus I’m trying to wean myself on to 5$ shrooms lol


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[reeftopia]

I have to run mine at 9.5 to 9.8 especially running 2 calcium reactors minor little hiccup and Im under 8.0 overnight.
Rather run a little higher not only as a safety feature but the corals grow faster also.

 

[FarmerTy]

7 dKh here. Better colors for acros and its closer to NSW. I also carbon dose with biopellets so keeping it under 8 dKh prevents tip burn.

Regarding drop in dKh, RR-Man is correct in advising a higher alk level will give you more room before you hit a critically low alk level. I've found the quick drop is the main killer, not having too low of alk. My calcium reactor has run out of CO2 before and by the time I switched out the cylinder, my alk dropped from 7.0 to 5.5. I had some issues getting my regulator on the cylinder and it stayed at 5.5 dKh for a day out two with no issues to the tank. My experience is a quick drop or increase will kill a frag but if you have healthy, stable colonies, they will be fine.

Also, the low alk (5.5 dKh) will stop growth but it didn't kill any acros in my system. Kind of a self buffer of slowing or halting growth when limited alk was available.