Potassium Journal

[djkms]

One theory of SPS and coloration is the maintenance of correct potassium levels. This mainly pertains to darker color corals like purples and blues. It is said that having potassium inline will really bring out the best colors. So I decided to pick up a potassium test kit and some potassium and to see what happens. I have to be honest I have been struggling with the darker color SPS, mainly blues so lets see what happens!

NSW contains a potassium level of 399 and its pretty consistent from what I understand. Its also very important to not overdose, not sure the consequences but I hope to not find out.

I have been using Brightwell Aquatics Potassion for about the last month and have been ultra conservative with it, only dosing a cap full every week. The directions call for 1 cap full (5ml) for every 50 gallons of water but without testing I was only doing 1. My total water volume is about 140 gallons. Now that I have a Red Sea test kit I will do what I can to bring my levels up to par and see what happens.

Day 1 with test kit - 344ppm.

 

[09bumblebee]

Are your no3 and po4 undetectable? If not you really shouldn't worry about your potassium yet.

 

[djkms]

Are your no3 and po4 undetectable? If not you really shouldn't worry about your potassium yet.

Explain why please? My nitrate and phosphate are within acceptable ranges for SPS coloration and growth. I have never witnessed coloration change with my SPS until my PO4 exceeds .06 - nitrate has never impacted coloration that I could tell. Right now my nitrate is at 1ppm and PO4 at .03 only because I just did a 3 days lights out in my system. I maintain NO3 around .2-.5 and PO4

 

[powdermonkey]

Tagging along

 

[09bumblebee]

Explain why please? My nitrate and phosphate are within acceptable ranges for SPS coloration and growth. I have never witnessed coloration change with my SPS until my PO4 exceeds .06 - nitrate has never impacted coloration that I could tell. Right now my nitrate is at 1ppm and PO4 at .03 only because I just did a 3 days lights out in my system. I maintain NO3 around .2-.5 and PO4

 

[djkms]

Interesting info. Thanks!

From my research (going off of the top of my head) PO4 does not inhibit calcification at any appreciable amount with reading

 

[09bumblebee]

I will defiantly find out. I've got a chemist at work who is fascinated with saltwater and is a genius haha (still convincing him to get a tank) are you adding bacteria since your dosing? If not its a really good idea to. I dose vinegar only switched a few months ago and I add Prodibio every other week.

So here's why, they won't consume it if at all because those levels are high like I said. For example it's like running race gas on your stock Honda civic there is no point. You won't gain hp at all unless you have the demand for it. But like you said it won't hurt anything bringing it up. I've read that it may take awhile to bring that level up and slowly bring it up over weeks not suddenly as it could burn the tips if the corals.

 

[09bumblebee]

If your not adding bacteria such as prodibio's biodigest you should and here's why basically, the ethanol in vodka feeds bacteria in your aquarium which in turn multiply. When the bacteria multiplies it consumes N03 and P04. The bacteria, along with the nutrients it has consumed is then exported by a large protein skimmer. The bacteria, in this case MB7, is added in order to keep the bacteria diversified and help stave off red slime. You can dose vodka alone but I wouldn't recommend it.

BIO DIGEST digests organic waste, cleans the aquarium, reduces nitrates, phosphates,
fights algae and, through a probiotic effect, reduces the risk of unexplained illness.

 

[djkms]

Can we try to stay on topic please, thanks

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Can we try to stay on topic please, thanks

Please keep us updated. My blues are not as deep as I want. I stopped the vodka because the tank was "too clean" I also added more fish "more poo" but still want more color and would love to see this work.

Ps: I think adding bacteria to a vodka/carbon driven system is to encourage diversity in the population you are feeding... (back to the topic)

 

[SAZAMA]

khris, I started about the same time as you, lol and can't wait to start seeing some dark blue results. I will say that my tans are turning green which is very noticeable under actinics, but I'm with you on being very timid about the dosage I'm putting in. Ohh yeah I am also using brightwell, because how readily availible it is.
Regaurds, Tony

 

[SAZAMA]

I think I'm gonna order this
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/pohl-s-k-balance-potassium-strong-250-ml-korallen-zucht.html