Quote:
Originally Posted by tmz
So, on the one hand higher ph(less H+ in the water) makes it easier for them to squeeze out a positively charged proton when there are less positively charged H+ protons in the water. thus it would seem higher ph might make precipitation and skeletal growth easier. However ,recent discussions suggest higher proportions of HCO3 vs CO3 which occur at lower ph ranges may be more beneficial overall. A shortage of HCO3 vis a vis CO3 might actually slow growth even though more CO3 results in higher ph and alkalinity( CO3, carbonate can neutaralize 2 H protons before becoming carbonic acid H2CO3 while bicarbonate, HCO3 has room for just 1).
Mind if I ask you flat out where I can find these discussions you are refering to?Don't mean to be so blunt but I just read a 15pg thread didn't really see much.-Graves
Many systems running low or ultra low nutrients shoot for 7 or 8 dkh to avoid burnt tips where calcium carbonate skeletal growth seems to outpace tissue growth. These lower alk values often mean less buffering capacity and lower ph as well. Reef surface waters run around 8.2ph. The range of 7.8 to 8.5 should be sufficient for growth. Below 7.8 and you risk coral skeleton dissolving. Higher than 8.5 and abiotic(non biological) precipitation of calcium carbonate is likely ,including "snowstorms" which not only deposit calcium carbonate crystals every where but also drop calcium and akalinity precipitously These alkalinity bounces can be deadly to sps in particular ,in my experience.
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With low nutrients you are refering to inorganic N and P , I've seen you mention this before in this forum.If skeletal growth is out pacing tissue growth how is it ruled out that nutritional needs are actually being met?-Graves