Parameters

Hydrahawk · Feb 21, 2020

Hi all,

I have been battling slow growth on my SPS. Here are my parameters, could you tell me what you think...

NO3 2/21 1.0ppm 1/14 1.5ppm
PO4 2/21 0.07ppm 1/14 0.33ppm
Alk 2/21 9.91dKH 1/14 9.8dKH
Ca 2/20 425ppm 1/14 430ppm
MG 2/20 1320ppm 1/14 1280ppm
Salinity 1.024 SG

For lights, I have 2 x AI 26 non HD with 4 x ATI 24w; roughly 12" off water. I have both Triton ICP-OES and N-DOC, which I will mail off on Monday. Do you think my Alk is too high? Thanks for your input.

CuzzA · Feb 21, 2020

Yes, I think alk is high. You have a low nutrient system. I'd shoot for around 7.6-8.0. How old is the system?

motortrendz · Feb 21, 2020

I'd try to get nitrates up a bit, po4 down a bit, mag up a little and alk down a little as stated above to balance the system a little better. I've run alk over 10dkh and had great growth, BUT, big but here, my nutrients were higher and were stable at that higher level for a long time. My system was happy there. When my nutrients dropped bc of a sump upgrade, my alk was a major problem and I needed to lower it to the high 7s to balance..

how old is your system? It makes a difference..

Hydrahawk · Feb 22, 2020

The system is 4-5 years old. I could dial down the CA reactor to lower Alk level and manually add CA. I was feeding more 6 months back but noticed an increase of bubble algae so I fed less.

ScottR · Feb 22, 2020

High alk and low nutrients is a common cause of burnt tips. I’d try to aim for a slightly lower alk if your nutrients are that low. Alk is easier to control than nutrients.

Rick5 · Feb 22, 2020

Hydrahawk said:
The system is 4-5 years old. I could dial down the CA reactor to lower Alk level and manually add CA. I was feeding more 6 months back but noticed an increase of bubble algae so I fed less.

Have you tried emerald crab? They can go rogue but can help control bubble algae.