I recently had a member ask me;
I keep my alkalinity from 7-7.5 in my 225. For those who have seen my system is it mostly SPS with a few LPS here and there (no softies). On my previous 125 I used to keep my alkalinity between 8.5-9.5.
So why the difference between the systems? Nutrients. In my 125 my NO3 was usually around 5ppm and PO4 around .04-.08. In my 225 I keep my NO3 around .1-.2 and PO4 around 0-.02. I would say my 125 was a high nutrient system and my 225 is a semi-ulns (ultra low nutrient system)
It has been my experience that keeping alk low for ulns and alk high for high nutrient systems provides the best solution for color and growth for stony corals. Of course everyone's mileage may very and I am sure there are fantastic systems that are the opposite of what I say, these have been my findings though.
My experience was the same as the above quote. Anytime I dropped below 8 in my 125 I struggled with browning corals. Conversely in my 225 anytime I go over 8 I get burnt tips on my acros.
As a matter of fact while cruising RC I found a fantastic thread which basically confirms this information:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2253547
The thread actually delves into the subject a little further to include light intensity into the equation. I can't really comment on that aspect because my 125 was lit by LED and my 225 is halide/t5 combo.
I hope this information can help some of you. Any questions let me know!
My dkh is between 8.5-9.5. 8.5 was when stuff browned and 9.5 is when the corals are doing perfect. How is yours so low and corals doing ok?
So why the difference between the systems? Nutrients. In my 125 my NO3 was usually around 5ppm and PO4 around .04-.08. In my 225 I keep my NO3 around .1-.2 and PO4 around 0-.02. I would say my 125 was a high nutrient system and my 225 is a semi-ulns (ultra low nutrient system)
It has been my experience that keeping alk low for ulns and alk high for high nutrient systems provides the best solution for color and growth for stony corals. Of course everyone's mileage may very and I am sure there are fantastic systems that are the opposite of what I say, these have been my findings though.
My experience was the same as the above quote. Anytime I dropped below 8 in my 125 I struggled with browning corals. Conversely in my 225 anytime I go over 8 I get burnt tips on my acros.
As a matter of fact while cruising RC I found a fantastic thread which basically confirms this information:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2253547
The thread actually delves into the subject a little further to include light intensity into the equation. I can't really comment on that aspect because my 125 was lit by LED and my 225 is halide/t5 combo.
I hope this information can help some of you. Any questions let me know!