Alk slightly low

[DmitryB]

Did some readings on my IM 40 today for the first time in a couple of weeks. There's one fish (tiny Coral Beauty) and a lot of coral frags (LPS and Zoas, with one stray SPS.) all readings are basically fine (fighting big Phosphates still,) except Alk is slightly low. Should I do anything about this outside of water changes? (I'm going to swapping from RedSea salt to Nyos. There's just a little RedSea left. Incidentally, I've noticed an "oily" residue on the surface of the water. Like when oil and water separate. No idea what that is, but I don't like it!)

 

[Peer.Boerner]

If the tank looks good, and you’re happy, I’d just leave it. If you’d like to see more growth or if you think there may be some other observable stress, you could slowly increase Alk with small amounts of sodium bicarb. You could maybe bring down phosphate but there are no alarm bells going off that I can see. If yiu choose to make a change, make it slowly :)

 

[DmitryB]

If the tank looks good, and you’re happy, I’d just leave it. If you’d like to see more growth or if you think there may be some other observable stress, you could slowly increase Alk with small amounts of sodium bicarb. You could maybe bring down phosphate but there are no alarm bells going off that I can see. If yiu choose to make a change, make it slowly :)

I've been struggling with Phosphates. Have some rock that is leaching. Running some GFI, but it is slow going. Have not been dosing this tank with any anti-Phos chemicals but maybe I should? (I have also been adding Phyto, but not clear of that does anything for Phosphates.)

Edit: Actually just checked my Phosphates history and it was at .9, so this is a big reduction over time.

 

[docscorals]

Phyto can actually increase your phosphates. I don’t think you need to add any phosphate controlling chemicals like Phosphate E yet. I would try dosing some bacteria (BW Microbacter Purple is great for this). But you may want to increase your nitrates a little before you do. Neo Nitro is a great product, but GO SLOW with it. I would recommend trying to keep your nitrates between 5-10. Especially at your phosphate levels.

 

[strich]

I would definitely be worried about nitrates being so low. I would consider heavier feeds to get that up. That'll bring phos up too though. You can control both with the addition of vinegar which gives bacteria the carbon it needs to grow and consume nitrates and phosphates.

As everyone says, go very slow - quick swings in all these parameters typically causes the corals to shut up shop for awhile.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That alk is fine, but it is also fine to raise it if you prefer it higher. Baking soda is an easy and appropriate way to boost it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've been struggling with Phosphates. Have some rock that is leaching. Running some GFI, but it is slow going. Have not been dosing this tank with any anti-Phos chemicals but maybe I should? (I have also been adding Phyto, but not clear of that does anything for Phosphates.)

Edit: Actually just checked my Phosphates history and it was at .9, so this is a big reduction over time.

The phosphate is in my recommended range of 0.06 to 0.3 ppm. :)

 

[DmitryB]

I've been struggling with Phosphates. Have some rock that is leaching. Running some GFI, but it is slow going. Have not been dosing this tank with any anti-Phos chemicals but maybe I should? (I have also been adding Phyto, but not clear of that does anything for Phosphates.)

Edit: Actually just checked my Phosphates history and it was at .9, so this is a big reduction over time.

The phosphate is in my recommended range of 0.06 to 0.3 ppm. :)

Ohh! Good to know!

 

[DmitryB]

I would definitely be worried about nitrates being so low. I would consider heavier feeds to get that up. That'll bring phos up too though. You can control both with the addition of vinegar which gives bacteria the carbon it needs to grow and consume nitrates and phosphates.

As everyone says, go very slow - quick swings in all these parameters typically causes the corals to shut up shop for awhile.

I'm thought I was over feeding considering there's only one tiny fish in there and he's still largely hiding behind rocks! But adding more food isn't a problem. I was concerned about heavy green algae in the tank. The rocks are covered in green.