Best Alk

[REEFY1]

what is the best alk level for optimum growth and color?

[stevedola]

no more than 9 dk
I keep mine at 8.6 and 420 calc
main thing is keeping it consistant.

[TwistedTiger]

You will get so many different answers on opposite ends of the spectrum you will not be able to count them. I've seen tanks at both ends of the normal range that are show tank quality with very healthy, growing, super colorful SPS. Just shoot for somewhere in the middle and keep it stable.

[stevedola]

natural seawater is somewhere around 7.5-8 if I remember correctly. If we're trying to replicate nature then why not take cues from that environment.

[Serioussnaps]

Some folks reason for keeping it higher than NSW is that if your ALK supply were to stop(CA reactor, kalk, 2 part doser) then it wouldn't swing well below NSW. Folks claim that if it does you may see issues with STN.

[woz9683]

Also, look at the Blu Coral Method where elevated alkalinity levels are used to successfully keep reef tanks. Just because it occurs in nature does not necessarily mean it is ideal for a reef tank (or anything else for that matter).

[ErikS]

Originally posted by Serioussnaps
Some folks reason for keeping it higher than NSW is that if your ALK supply were to stop(CA reactor, kalk, 2 part doser) then it wouldn't swing well below NSW. Folks claim that if it does you may see issues with STN.

I can vouch for that. I don't run it ultra high but around 9.6 - 10. Reactor went offline for a couple days and alk tanked (way low) = wiped out quite a bit.

[stevedola]

to each their own. I was answering the question to the best of my knowledge. If some reefers run their alk high to compensate for a reactor failure then by all means, feel free. I know there is more than 1 way to skin a cat. I personally would rather take other precautions to ensure no premature reactor failure.

[stony_corals]

Originally posted by stevedola
natural seawater is somewhere around 7.5-8 if I remember correctly. If we're trying to replicate nature then why not take cues from that environment.

NSW ranges from 6.5 - 8... It's personal preference. Unless your running ZEO or some other probiotic system that requires you to keep it close to NSW, you can go as high as you want. Wayne Sheng keeps his at 12dKH, top notch tank. I've also seen a lot that run NSW levels.

[fijiblue]

Natural seawater refers to the ocean at large. Levels near the shore by the reefs are slightly elevated. Like stevedola said, whatever you decide to go with, keep it stable!

[Horace]

I am now dealing with a bout of low alk . My reactor went offline for a full 5-7 days. Alk went from 9.0+ to 5.0ish. I also run Seachem salt so it was probably closer to 4.0 or so. Needless to say some things are NOT happy right now. I am just praying I dont lose much.... what a bummer man.

[jjmcat]

Originally posted by Horace
I am now dealing with a bout of low alk . My reactor went offline for a full 5-7 days. Alk went from 9.0+ to 5.0ish. I also run Seachem salt so it was probably closer to 4.0 or so. Needless to say some things are NOT happy right now. I am just praying I dont lose much.... what a bummer man.

I wish you the best Horace.I just did the same but I didnt get that low and just now my milles have PE again.This was allmost 2 months ago.

[trueblackpercula]

9dkh

[ReefJunkieOK]

11dkh

[stony_corals]

Originally posted by Horace
I am now dealing with a bout of low alk . My reactor went offline for a full 5-7 days. Alk went from 9.0+ to 5.0ish. I also run Seachem salt so it was probably closer to 4.0 or so. Needless to say some things are NOT happy right now. I am just praying I dont lose much.... what a bummer man.

Kurt, so sorry to hear that.... bummer, I hope things work out for you! I have had that happen when I get stuff in.... I'm paranoid now and test alk daily I'm also running mostly Seachem too...

[spscrackhead]

what test do you use? you must be going broke testing daily

[Ewan]

I kept my alk at 11dkh for quite some time, until a couple of years ago I dropped it to 9dkh. Growth was the same, but my pumps stay clean for a much longer amount of time.

jm$.02

-e

[stony_corals]

Originally posted by spscrackhead
what test do you use? you must be going broke testing daily

Nope.... Using LaMottes.

[kau_cinta_ku]

Originally posted by spscrackhead
what test do you use? you must be going broke testing daily

shouldn't have to test everyday. usually once you get a rythem of how much to dose or once you get your cal. reactor set correctly you should only have to check once a week at the most

[stony_corals]

Originally posted by kau_cinta_ku
shouldn't have to test everyday. usually once you get a rythem of how much to dose or once you get your cal. reactor set correctly you should only have to check once a week at the most

When I get 20 acro colonies in, the alk requirements are certainly different than when there are 2 left...... so yes, I do need to check frequently....

[kau_cinta_ku]

that is why I said once you get a rythem. of course it will change everynow and then as corals grow or added more which you will need to adjust your rythem again. but if you leave the tank alone when you know what your tank uses you don't need to test everyday.

[stony_corals]

Sorry, this is happening much more frequently, like weekly.... I'm in a different place