Can I get some alkalinity help?

[MrSkumfrog]

Hello

I upgraded my lights on Sept 13. I went from Giesemann Aurora to a 6 bulb ATI. I got a reading of 100-150 higher PAR with the new fixture.

I decided to acclimate things slow, so I have been running a shorter photoperiod. I'm increasing 1 hour duration per week and I noticed my alk has been climbing. I attribute it to my corals not using as much.

I checked my alk today and it's at 11.4! It was at 9.5 on Sept 25th up from Sept 13 of 8.1.
I don't want to change things too fast. Should I just shut my 2-part off until it slowly decreases? Perhaps do small water changes?

TIA

 

[apt220]

About how much are you dosing per day? Maybe just cut it half instead of just shutting it off completely. Recheck everyday to see what kind of difference this makes. Dont want to drop too fast like you said. I don't really think small water changes are necessary.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I would just let it drop naturally.
Ive done that one before.

 

[apt220]

Checking alk everyday during periods of instability is a good thing to do IMO..

 

[zsuzsu]

should be checking alk daily anyway, can't imagine not doing it. good luck n stuff.... zsu

 

[Reefer40b]

Checking alk everyday during periods of instability is a good thing to do IMO..

Always!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Lol. I check mine once a week. Maybe. Not sure what would change really.

 

[Reefer40b]

Lol. I check mine once a week. Maybe. Not sure what would change really.

Checking once a week is good, when things are stable.

 

[zsuzsu]

Hmm....

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hmm....

Lol.
Look at the bottles. They tell ya if the doser is off.

A slow drop won't hurt you either.

 

[zsuzsu]

So does my test kit

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

To each their own.

 

[Rakie]

Turning your lights off is shutting down your photoperiod, and slowing the metabolic processes of the corals -- So they aren't taking up Alk. This means turn the light on. Raise the light 3-4" -- You're not going to bleach everything or something crazy, but you're definitely making the corals stop growing by turning off their light source.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

Everytime we change our light intensity and possibly spectrum from what our corals are used to, they will reset themselves and try to adjust to the new light. This might be the reason your alk is rising.