Alk swing

[93cubereef]

Curious from some more experienced sps keepers if this is too much of an Alk swing. I’m seeing some burnt tips on a few pieces pink birdsnest was the first to show signs, then a couple stags and now on a couple acros. Had a co2 scrubber online during this time but thinking it’s just causing to much of a swing in ph and alk.

 

[Waters]

IMO it is impossible to say. Some tanks can handle swings, some can't. Depends on a lot of factors including health of the acros. I do not consider 8.45 to 8 excessive though. A lot of things can cause burnt tips unfortunately.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Hi, my tanks alk is normally kept 8-8.5 but have had .5+ swings either direction with no ill effects. Again, could b other variables and ones that may have happened weeks ago.

 

[minus9]

Check your PO4, but I wouldn't call that an alk swing.

 

[Dburr1014]

I agree, check po4, probably low and no3 probably high.

I would not call that a swing either.

 

[Reefering1]

Well, my opinion seems pretty well represented here. Nothing left to say. Maybe state parameters

 

[dadnjesse]

Are you dosing Alkalinty or run a Calcium Reactor. Mine swings like that with my Calcium Reactor.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Curious from some more experienced sps keepers if this is too much of an Alk swing. I’m seeing some burnt tips on a few pieces pink birdsnest was the first to show signs, then a couple stags and now on a couple acros. Had a co2 scrubber online during this time but thinking it’s just causing to much of a swing in ph and alk.

It's normal in most tanks

 

[93cubereef]

po4 0.6 and no3 9

I dose ESV 2 part

 

[93cubereef]

Rest of the parameters as well

 

[minus9]

po4 0.6 and no3 9

I dose ESV 2 part

PO4 0.06ppm or 0.6ppm? There’s a huge difference.

 

[93cubereef]

PO4 0.06ppm or 0.6ppm? There’s a huge difference.

.06 sorry I forgot a 0

 

[dwest]

I get burnt tips on some acros when I run GFO.

 

[minus9]

.06 sorry I forgot a 0

That’s what I thought, but wanted to make sure. If you have low PO4 and your alk swings (more than 1.5dkh) that’s when I notice burnt tips or TN issues. I think 0.08 - 0.2ppm is a safe range. I know this is counter to what most think is too high of a range, but if you’re closer to 0.1ppm, things do so much better when other parameters decide to move around a little.

 

[gbroadbridge]

That’s what I thought, but wanted to make sure. If you have low PO4 and your alk swings (more than 1.5dkh) that’s when I notice burnt tips or TN issues. I think 0.08 - 0.2ppm is a safe range. I know this is counter to what most think is too high of a range, but if you’re closer to 0.1ppm, things do so much better when other parameters decide to move around a little.

I think that the general opinion is moving towards what you state.

I keep my tanks around 0.10ppm PO4 - as you say it's a safe number if there's just normal (not out of control) algae.

 

[minus9]

I think that the general opinion is moving towards what you state.

I keep my tanks around 0.10ppm PO4 - as you say it's a safe number if there's just normal (not out of control) algae.

Algae exists when there are no herbivores to consume it, it doesn’t matter what your nutrient levels are. You can have zero measurable nutrients and still have plenty of algae. Algae is really good at life, corals, not so much. I think a lot of people correlate nutrients with algae, which is the wrong way of looking at it. I’m not saying this directly to you, but for the new reefers. The thing people need to remember or understand is, algae and corals require the same conditions to exist. The reason algae doesn’t overtake corals on a reef is the presence of herbivores. Remove herbivores and the algae takes over. Phosphorus is a building block, remove it or reduce it to extremely low levels, things start to die, especially in a closed system like our tanks. PO4 is vital, but most look at it as something bad.
Sorry, didn’t mean to jump on a soapbox, but I see so many people try to reduce PO4 to really low levels thinking they’re going to avoid algae, but wind up killing corals. Okay, time for an adult beverage. Cheers!

 

[93cubereef]

Thanks. I’ll try and shoot for 0.10 and see if that helps. I’ve definitely been riding the low end po4.

 

[minus9]

Thanks. I’ll try and shoot for 0.10 and see if that helps. I’ve definitely been riding the low end po4.

Target a range where your corals look happy and healthy, that number or range will vary based on your animals and tank.