Does stable PH + ALK = Great polyps????

[MUCHO REEF]

Just another discussion topic of great interest. Got the idea for this thread from a post by Delsol650.

Does stable PH + ALK = Great polyps????

So, is it imporatnt or not as it relates to growth, health, etc etc ?

What do you think reefers?

Mucho

[geoxman]

I think that it is important to have as little fluctuation as possible on these two parameters. It is #5 in your 25 and is one the the most important factors for health and growth. I dose Randy's two part and it is dosed by a peristaltic dosing pump so there is very little, if any, fluctuation.
Good topic idea Honda and Mooch.

I will also ask what others are keeping their Alk level at???

[flyyyguy]

Originally posted by geoxman
I think that it is important to have as little fluctuation as possible on these two parameters. It is #5 in your 25 and is one the the most important factors for health and growth. I dose Randy's two part and it is dosed by a peristaltic dosing pump so there is very little, if any, fluctuation.
Good topic idea Honda and Mooch.

I will also ask what others are keeping their Alk level at???

agree, although I see too many newer people to the hobby thinking as well as being told PH is the important thing and dosing alk to change their PH. WRONG.

I was trying to help someone the other day who's dkh was at 18. somebody told them to keep dosing alk to raise their chronically low ph.

You dose alk to raise your alk period. If you keep your alk, calcium and mag inline, are promoting good gas exchange via surface agitation, running a skimmer and or sump, as well as have fresh air in the room you dont even need to test your ph. it will be fine

[coralfarm123]

From my experience a well fed and well balance reef will always be more fruitful in long run versus one that is all over the place from month to month. Proper Alk and PH are critical for any coral to thrive long term. I test PH maybe once a year because like flyyyguy said if you maintain you Alk, Calcium, Magnesium and have plenty of surface movement for gas exchange then it should not be an issue.

Also, I have heard a lot of LFS tell customers to make sure to keep their Calcium levels up. To a newbie that doesn't help them because they focus only on supplementing Calcium and many times don't understand Alkalinity or the role of Magnesium. Then they don't understand why they can't keep zoanthids alive.

IMO a good Alkalinity test kit is the first line of defense for maintaining good water chemistry. If I could only afford to have one test kit this would be the one.

[MUCHO REEF]

I agree with all of you 100%, but coralfarmer123, man you hit it smack on the head. I was waiting for someone to say this. Every word you said was flat out gospel my brother. I don't feed that much, maybe twice a week, but your comment on the test kit put a smile on my face. Though it's only two lines, your second paragraph was right on. Thanks for sharing it.

I know I'm guilty of posting and talking too much, so I'm just sitting here enjoying all the great stuff you guys are sharing that is good to see, read and hear.


Mucho

[Pufferpunk]

I also rarely test pH--it is always on the $$$. Although recently with adding Vitamin C, I've been testing more often just to check--same results.

[delsol650]

I hardly check for nitrates, nitrites and ammonia. But I do check pH, Alk , MAG and Cal.

any time my zoos and palys start looking like crap its usually due to Alk , pH fluctuating...

also stable salinity also is another parameter I monitor a lot, besides your usual temp.