Reef Discussion

potatocouch

Member
Jan 16, 2014
1,124
153
Sydney
What's Your Take On High Alk For Accelerated Coral Growth?
Red Sea’s research into the long term physiological demands of SPS, LPS & Soft Corals in the reef aquarium has shown that enhanced coloration and accelerated growth require significantly different water conditions.

Just like their Red Sea Coral Pro Salt, when mixed at 1.025 SG, it brings the Alk to 11.8 - 12.2 dKH, which Sharon Ram (Chief Scientist @ Red Sea) claimed a level that is good for accelerated coral growth.

ai.imgur.com_gu79zvY.jpg


What's your take on this elevated Alk @ 12.6 dKH? Have you had experience in the past raising it and maintaining the level of Alkalinity at high level (12 dKH) accelerates the growth of coral? or on contrary, some folks mentioned that they've experienced RTN or burnt tips?
 

RobbieMVFC

Member
Feb 25, 2013
1,232
610
Hey mate,
From my understanding is if you keep your ALK that high you need to keep your nutrients up (No carbon dosing)
also to accelerate growth will come at a cost of losing color , you can not target both.

For the record I have never kept my AlK that high. I target 7.5 for my tank.

Have a look at this clip from about 3 mins
 

Wazza22

Member
Oct 3, 2015
116
50
Perth
Also take a look at this presentation from MACNA that BRS TV have posted. (not sure on the rules in here of posting links)


Is a good watch and points out the the links with Alk and Photosynthesis, it does touch on burnt tips with high Alk so you need to be mindfull of what stock you have
 

slin1977

Member
Jul 13, 2011
3,476
1,661
Sydney
@potatocouch - maybe start a poll about what kh people are running these days.
The bell graph trend might see your 10 toward the higher side of alkalinity trend these days.
Remember there must be a balance of Ca to Mg to KH to Ph to Stability to salinity at all these ratio as well as a temperature factor . If any are skewed expect well sub par growth.
Furthermore research each and every tank of the month on Reefcentral over the last decade to give yourself an indication toward the current trend of where a modern reefer runs the above mentioned parameters in regard to kh.