I agree! I consider Mike Paletta's book Ulimate Marine Aquariums very influential on my reefkeeping. The "setup overview" format gives us the recipes for successful systems. There are so many methods used to create thriving reefs that it can be confusing. Being able to compare the parameters and equipment of established systems is an important education tool.
After our conversation last week I did some reading and am hoping for a little clarification on why you made the above statement. I read your excellent article on alkalinity. https://reefs.com/magazine/chemistry-and-the-aquarium-what-is-alkalinity/
@BillyF Any thoughts?
After our conversation last week I did some reading and am hoping for a little clarification on why you made the above statement. I read your excellent article on alkalinity. https://reefs.com/magazine/chemistry-and-the-aquarium-what-is-alkalinity/
In the article you provide a graph that shows you adding acid to a saltwater sample and an un-buffered pure freshwater sample. The pH declines gradually in the saltwater sample but drops precipitously in the freshwater sample.
My line of reasoning is that corals remove alkalinity from the water column and incorporate it as calcium carbonate into their skeletons. As the alkalinity ( mostly carbonates and bicarbonates as I understand) is removed from the water, the pH buffering capacity of the water is reduced. Therefore the water is subject to more violent pH swings with the introduction of carbon dioxide from the respiration of organisms and other biological processes.
I guess a more specific question is that if you add a set amount of CO2 to 7dkh water and the same amount to 10dkh water, will there be a more significant pH change in the less buffered water?
Thank you in advance for you time.
-Randy and I continue this discussion here: Thread 'Alkalinity and pH swing' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/alkalinity-and-ph-swing.1014986/
I think that was the point I was trying to make about higher alkalinity in the article, but ended up conflating several different chemical reactions. I appreciate you taking the time to talk me through it. The relationship between pH and alkalinity is much more defined in my mind now.
Great tank, but how do you reach the bottom ????A few more macros because I'm an Acropora junkie.
I use a PikStik grabber and long handled gardening tools. And patience. Lots of patience. It can be quite frustrating standing on a ladder reaching down 4ft in the tank to manage coral.
