Little confusion

[Twotoedsloth]

Hello all,

I’m probably missing something here entirely, but I’m a little confused in the chemistry that’s going on, or not going on in this case. I’ve been trying to find answers but couldn’t quite find anything with this exact situation.

I recently began the process of dosing All For Reef. So I’ve been in the process of figuring out my tanks usage. Which I assumed wouldn’t be much as I don’t have a ton it it.

However, I did a water change a week ago and then tested mid week and end of week to figure out daily consumption and all of my parameters were exactly the same.

DKH - 9.5
Cal - 420
Mag - 1285
PH - 8.0 - which I would like to raise, but I’ve never been able to get it above 8.0 in the 18 months the tank has been going.


I have a GSP that is growing really well on the back wall. I have a Xenia that is pulsing, and really nice pink, but not growing (it’s been in there for 6+ months and is still as short as it ever was) and I have a Duncan that was doing well until my clowns decided to be its BFF and beat the crap out of it with their love.

So I’m just confused as to what is happening and do I do something about it or just let it ride.

I appreciate any information you can give or just let me know if I’m being a dope.

 

[Formulator]

You probably don’t have any meaningful consumption yet. I had my tank for a whole year before I needed to implement any dosing of alk and calcium. You have primarily soft corals which don’t build skeletons, so they won’t consume much or any alk/Ca. I would stop dosing the AFR. Continue testing weekly. As you add corals and venture into the realm of SPS, you will eventually see a decrease in alkalinity. This is when you need to start dosing. You may also see this decrease if coralline algae takes off in your tank. Regardless, let your testing tell you when its time to start dosing and don’t be surprised if that is not for a while.

 

[Solo McReefer]

You really don't have anything that builds calcium carbonate skeleton

 

[Twotoedsloth]

That’s what I figured. I’m a little confused as to why the Xenia isn’t growing but that’s probably a whole other thing that I can’t figure out.

Thanks.

 

[Solo McReefer]

That’s what I figured. I’m a little confused as to why the Xenia isn’t growing but that’s probably a whole other thing that I can’t figure out.

Thanks.

Dunno

I can grow xenia like weeds

GSP, is like weeds with Roundup in my tanks. Always has been that way. Just hates me