Is it possible for Alkalinity to rise in a stable system by adding Aquaforest man made rock to sump?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Aquaforest is a sponsor of Reef2Reef. Maybe we can get them to comment on this product and if these experiences are normal and expected?

@Aquaforest

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Aquaforest is a sponsor of Reef2Reef. Maybe we can get them to comment on this product and if these experiences are normal and expected?

@Aquaforest

Thanks Randy! It would be nice to get some clarity here.

 

[Aquaforest]

Thanks Randy! It would be nice to get some clarity here.

Hello @A_Blind_Reefer I'll forward your message to our lab department, and I'll update you asap

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hello @A_Blind_Reefer I'll forward your message to our lab department, and I'll update you asap

Thank you, AF.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Hello @A_Blind_Reefer I'll forward your message to our lab department, and I'll update you asap

Thank you

 

[Aquaforest]

Thank you

I need some additional information. How much rock did you add in relation to the volume of the aquarium?

If rinsing the rock in RO was quick then there is a possibility for a small effect of KH in the first hours. Later, the KH should stabilize

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I need some additional information. How much rock did you add in relation to the volume of the aquarium?

If rinsing the rock in RO was quick then there is a possibility for a small effect of KH in the first hours. Later, the KH should stabilize

Thank you for the response. It was a 22lb box of base rock that was placed in a sump. Total water volume is around 200 gallons minus rock volume. I had a couple 5 gallon buckets full of ro water where I would hold a rock in and shake it about vigorously and dunk it several times as a rinse. Then I placed them in the sump one at a time. The Alk effect was immediate and did start to stabilize about 12 hours after all normal Alk supplementation was switched off. Once the Alk level dropped back down, all normal Alk supplementation was switched back on. Everything has been fine since.

Im guessing most people are using this when starting a tank from scratch for aquascaping and wouldn’t notice the spike. In the rare instance someone adds this rock to an existing system with livestock there could be an issue. I think I’m out of the woods but sometimes it takes a week or two for sensitive sps to show stress from large swings like this.

I would like to know how the rock stabilizes ph and kh? And how the life bio-fil material works? The website for the bio-fil material states that it needs to be replenished. Whereas the bio-fil in the rock is permanent? I’m just curious now that I have been reading up on this (I hadn’t prior to my purchase, I just thought they were rocks).

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

@Aquaforest @Randy Holmes-Farley

Stn started on a large colony. Timing (and the fact that I haven’t had any stn events in over a year) points to the well over 2dkh spike in alkalinity from adding afr base rock to my sump. Also, did you come up with an answer for how this rock stabilizes kh and ph?

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

If the stn continues to spread I will have to try hacking it up. These things happen and it’s all part of the game. I’m just mad at myself for getting this afr base rock. I would never have thought this would have created an issue. I now despise dry rock starts and “ all natural man made rock” additions to existing systems. I still don’t understand how this rock stabilizes ph and alkalinity…..not sure that I’ll get an answer. Maybe it fixes a broken buffer? Ha

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sorry to hear what is happening.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Sorry to hear what is happening.

Life in the big city. I have multiple pieces of this sexys orange passion tenius so it’s not a huge deal. This is the largest of the colonies though (maybe volleyball sized). I tried hacking it this morning and as always I ended up cutting my knuckles open as I dragged them across coral not being able to see what I’m doing. I’m glad I don’t have piranhas! Every time this happens I tell myself to get some nice thick full length gloves but being dumb as a rock I never do. I think I managed to break off more from healthy, unaffected corals than the one with stn. I get more frustrated with my ineptness and stupidity than with the actual issue at hand.

 

[twentyleagues]

Life in the big city. I have multiple pieces of this sexys orange passion tenius so it’s not a huge deal. This is the largest of the colonies though (maybe volleyball sized). I tried hacking it this morning and as always I ended up cutting my knuckles open as I dragged them across coral not being able to see what I’m doing. I’m glad I don’t have piranhas! Every time this happens I tell myself to get some nice thick full length gloves but being dumb as a rock I never do. I think I managed to break off more from healthy, unaffected corals than the one with stn. I get more frustrated with my ineptness and stupidity than with the actual issue at hand.

That is unfortunate its probably not very easy to "go by feel" with caring for corals. All the pics you post you tank is impressive wish mine looked half as good as yours. I know I take my eyesight for granted, I dont know what id do without it though to see what you have accomplished is very impressive.

It is a good thing you do not have piranhas! You splashing around in the tank would have them all cowering in a far back corner scarred to death. They are not very brave fish lol.