Ph alkalinity question

[Hoffer]

Question my alkalinity is 13 and ph is 8. I think my alkalinity is causing me issues with a Monty. Adding kalkwasser and just lowered it to 40 from 50 every hour. Could the alkalinity be the problem for the Monty. Thank you

 

[Saltyreef]

Yes thats quite high from NSW parameters. Has it been stable at 13? And whats your calcium and magnesium been at? Have those been stable too?

 

[Hoffer]

Yes thats quite high from NSW parameters. Has it been stable at 13? And whats your calcium and magnesium been at? Have those been stable too?

Yes to the 13. Calcium has been low 500 to high 400. Mag was 1550 on last test before that it was just over 1400 and before that 1350

 

[Hoffer]

Yes to the 13. Calcium has been low 500 to high 400. Mag was 1550 on last test before that it was just over 1400 and before that 1350

What has happen in the past the ph will drop

 

[Hoffer]

Looking at the numbers the calcium is stable in the mid 500 for quite a while

 

[Subsea]

Question my alkalinity is 13 and ph is 8. I think my alkalinity is causing me issues with a Monty. Adding kalkwasser and just lowered it to 40 from 50 every hour. Could the alkalinity be the problem for the Monty. Thank you

Elevated alkalinity & pH combined with higher calcium increases limescale potential.
So, what Monty problem are you referring to?

 

[Hoffer]

Elevated alkalinity & pH combined with higher calcium increases limescale potential.
So, what Monty problem are you referring to?

They just don’t survive. I place them high and low

 

[Hoffer]

I am running AI 26 have 3 12 inches above the tank I know that the lights aren’t to high. Would the high alkalinity bleach them out

 

[Privateye]

I haven't noticed alkalinity in that range bleaching my montis in the past, but I think I just had red cap back in those days and it's a pretty tough monti. Low calcium definitely causes them to lose color though.

You could try lowering the alk to see if there is any improvement. Maybe in the 9-10 dKH range.

 

[Reefing addict Clay]

What are your tank parameters Phosphate nitrate etc?

 

[exnisstech]

My monticap and digi do well with alk 8-9 dkH and pH 7.7 - 8.3 They don't seem to be picky about N and P. I have some in a tank that runs near 0 and requires ammonium and phosphate dosing. On another tank I have N 30- 40 and P 0.4 - 0.9+ The monti do fine in both. Mine also like flow and light.

 

[Hoffer]

What are your tank parameters Phosphate nitrate etc?

Mid 2s on phosphate nitrate 16

 

[Reefing addict Clay]

What are your tank parameters Phosphate nitrate etc?

Mid 2s on phosphate nitrate 16

Nothing crazy there that would lead to monti bleaching. Have you ever got a par meter to read what your tank is at from sand bed to top? You have plenty of other sps growing just fine and monti is the only one giving you fits?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Mid 2s on phosphate nitrate 16

You mean like 2.5 ppm? Or 0.25 ppm?

 

[PharmrJohn]

Don't fret too much with an ALK of 13. WAY back in the day I used to keep my ALK between 15 and 18. Yep. Different times those days were. Just back it off to 10 ish slowly and go with the flow. Maintaining that ALK level to me led to adequate growth of my LPS dominant tank.

 

[Hoffer]

Nothing crazy there that would lead to monti bleaching. Have you ever got a par meter to read what your tank is at from sand bed to top? You have plenty of other sps growing just fine and monti is the only one giving you fits?

I have a par meter and tried it a week ago and not sure I did it right. Going to retry it tomorrow

 

[Hoffer]

You mean like 2.5 ppm? Or 0.25 ppm?

2.5

 

[Hoffer]

Don't fret too much with an ALK of 13. WAY back in the day I used to keep my ALK between 15 and 18. Yep. Different times those days were. Just back it off to 10 ish slowly and go with the flow. Maintaining that ALK level to me led to adequate growth of my LPS dominant tank.

Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That phosphate is pushing the limits. I’d work to get it lower.