Coral growth/color related to alkalinity

[enthejungle]

I know I've seen post related to the effects of higher/lower alkalinity as they relate to growth/color but am having an issue with finding what I'm liking for.

Can someone please chime in on the benefits of each?

Thanks in advance.

[Ron Reefman]

IMHO chasing an alk level to try and improve coral growth or color is a fool's errand. Get your alk, Ca and Mg in line so they all match up and are in the normal reef water range. Your corals will do well and look good. There is no magic alk level to improve much on Mother Nature. Besides, different corals from different reefs in different parts of the world can have some slightly different levels both up and down the range.

[Reefstarter2]

I agree with above, however I did notice when my alk was closest to 7 I had the best growth. That said there are other factors which contribute. As a general rule I shoot for 8 . Keeping a lower alk level is somewhat "dangerous " At lower levels things can go wrong very quickly

[enthejungle]

Thank you both for the replies.

I'm not chasing any numbers. I test pretty frequently, 3-4 times a week, with a Hanna checker and maintain between 8.3-8.5. Calcium is a bit high at 480. Tested mag last night but can't remember exactly where it was at. Somewhere around 1420-50. I'd have to check my log.

Knew there was a coronation to growth vs color that I saw and was just curious.

[mcgyvr]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2016/9/aafeature
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/7/corals
http://reefinabox.com/right-alkalinity-coral-growth/

and hundreds more easily accessible via google :)

[eder10986]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2016/9/aafeature
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2014/7/corals
http://reefinabox.com/right-alkalinity-coral-growth/

and hundreds more easily accessible via google :)



Third thread in like a day you've suggested google.

Glad you love it too.

But some of us like myself would rather ask our fellow forum members with experience and wait for a response instead of researching.

Let it go.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[enthejungle]

Third thread in like a day you've suggested google.

Glad you love it too.

But some of us like myself would rather ask our fellow forum members with experience and wait for a response instead of researching.

Let it go.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do you wear a cape? You're my hero!

I posted while on my phone which is where most of my research is done when I'm not wasting my employers money.

Glad someone saw it from my perspective. Although, don't mind the ridicule for my laziness. We all have our days.

Either way I'm appreciative for any and all responses.

[Ron Reefman]

For me, I seriously appreciate mcgyvr's links to science rather than the anecdotal replies by reefers. And as for use of Google, I rarely ask questions here because I can find the answers quicker (I don't have to wait for replies) and usually better sourced as well.

Keep up the good work mcgyvr, I for one appreciate it.

[reefwiser]

I am always watching and sse what my corals are needing. Everyone has a different reef aquariums what works in one tank might not work as well in another. Currently the corals under my care like lower alk so I try to keep it at 7 to 8. When I had it at 9 and 10 I was seeing burnt tips so I slowly brought the alk down over the course of two weeks and now just keep an eye on it everyday. Watching alk daily keeps me in tune to what is going on with my SPS.