Acans & alkalinity

[Reef-_-Noob]

Tank parameters.

Ph 8.4
Calcium 480-499
Magnesium 1460
Nitrates really low
Phosphates. Api test kit reading low
Dkh 8.6 normally at 9.2

My acans used to be puffy with feeder tentacles out. A couple weeks ago the dkh was slowly raised to 9.

At this high dkh the acan smoothed out and no longer has the feeder tentacles out. The color is more vibrant but not as puffy. It seems healthy but in a different state.

I noticed this before when I raised alk. Maybe ph is also affecting.

Has anyone noticed this from there acan? Which state is better to be in for the acan? Puffy or smooth and more vibrant colors?

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

Acan is on the left

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

It could also be to light spectrum . I have not turned on my whites in the same time period. I think the acans like whites

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Nitrates really low

How low?
They could be starving...

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

Undetectable in api. Could be a combination of low trates and alk. Maybe higher alk has overlapped with low trates in the past also. You don't think alk is related? Also ph is crazy high 8.4 . I haven't measured that in a month and was surprised by the number. Turned off the skimmer today will check tomorrow

 

[Lokipsl]

Bump up those nitrates

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

I have a heavy in heavy out system. I'm feeding reef roids 3x a week and 2x on weekends. Feed the fish daily 2 cubes.

Can it be anything else besides nitrates?

 

[Nick Steele]

Probably just a new state of living for them (if they look healthy). I’ve noticed my acans go back and fourth between what you are seeing and I just think when feeder tentacles are out they are in more of a mood to feed or sense food in the water.

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

The acan grew like 10 new heads a while aga and the heads are bigger. Looks like it is fitting them onto its skeleton

 

[Pntbll687]

I don't think it's the alk, probably low nutrients that's doing it.

Add some nitrates to the system to get them 5-10ppm and keep them there. How low is phosphate?