Potassium low

[pasquale petrovia]

I tested my potassium for the first time ever and it was 326 ppm. The reason for the test was the red areas of my rainbow splice paled out almost completely while the rest of the colors were vibrant My pc rainbow faded to orange and my Greg’s daredevil is going green. I bought Red Sea test and did it twice with the same results. I bought Red Sea potassium plus and I am confused on dosing. It says measured level at 325 use 32 ml for 100 liters 37 for 200 liters and 49 ml for 300 liters. I am lost. My system is 200 total gallons of water. Any advise on dosing

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I tested my potassium for the first time ever and it was 326 ppm. The reason for the test was the red areas of my rainbow splice paled out almost completely while the rest of the colors were vibrant My pc rainbow faded to orange and my Greg’s daredevil is going green. I bought Red Sea test and did it twice with the same results. I bought Red Sea potassium plus and I am confused on dosing. It says measured level at 325 use 32 ml for 100 liters 37 for 200 liters and 49 ml for 300 liters. I am lost. My system is 200 total gallons of water. Any advise on dosing

Frankly, that recommended dosage is very strange. the bottle picture suggests the dose dose not scale exactly with tank size.

Ignore that, IMO.

If this is the product:

Red Sea Trace Colors B I Potassium+ | the coloration program.

POTASSIUM+ SUPPLEMENT TRACE COLORS B - Potassium complex that promote the Red colors in corals.Coral Colors B Supplement is part of the complete range of complementary major, minor and trace element complexes which together provide the needs of corals. Coral Colors B Supplement contains...

g1.redseafish.com

and if you have confidence in your kit result (ICP is better), then product claims:

1ml will raise the potassium level of 100 liters (25 gal) by1.75ppm.

200 gallons is about 757 liters

You want a total boost of 75 ppm to get to NSW levels of 400 ppm, so you need:

1 ml x 757 L/100 L x75 ppm/1.75 ppm = 324 mL

Spread that out over a few days

If you run out, i recommend food grade potassium chloride as a supplement. Iherb is a good source.

NOW Foods, Potassium Chloride Powder, 8 oz (227 g)

www.iherb.com

 

[Spare time]

Frankly, that recommended dosage is so utterly stupid as to leave me almost speechless.

Why on earth is the dose for 300 L (49 mL) not 3x the dose for 100 L (32 mL).

Ignore that drivel.

If this is the product:

Red Sea Trace Colors B I Potassium+ | the coloration program.

POTASSIUM+ SUPPLEMENT TRACE COLORS B - Potassium complex that promote the Red colors in corals.Coral Colors B Supplement is part of the complete range of complementary major, minor and trace element complexes which together provide the needs of corals. Coral Colors B Supplement contains...

g1.redseafish.com

and if you have confidence in your kit result (ICP is better), then product claims:

1ml will raise the potassium level of 100 liters (25 gal) by1.75ppm.

200 gallons is about 757 liters

You want a total boost of 75 ppm to get to NSW levels of 400 ppm, so you need:

1 ml x 757 L/100 L x75 ppm/1.75 ppm = 324 mL

Spread that out over a few days

If you run out, i recommend food grade potassium chloride as a supplement. Iherb is a good source.

NOW Foods, Potassium Chloride Powder, 8 oz (227 g)

www.iherb.com

If I remember correctly, red sea is saying to dose according to which tank type you have (which is odd and confusing) rather than ones actual uptake. They recommend different levels for either sps, mixed reef, ulns, or soft coral tanks ( I think I remember those right). I have this bottle back home that I use to refill potassium with another brands powder lol

 

[pasquale petrovia]

Am I on the right track with the loss of red due too potassium or you leaning another direction. I will do an ICP if I can find a place that has them or order from BRS

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Am I on the right track with the loss of red due too potassium or you leaning another direction. I will do an ICP if I can find a place that has them or order from BRS

Low potassium is a problem, but I have zero confidence that folks can diagnose specific ion problems from color issues.

 

[pasquale petrovia]

I run a calcium reactor full time and weekly test Alk, calcium, and magnesium and It is always pretty steady. Alk is always in the 7.4 range so I add 1/4 cup baking soda weekly or it gets below 7. I feed fish heavy to maintain phosphates at .06 and dose sodium nitrate weekly to pick up a Salifert reading for nitrate. If I don’t it’s practically unreadable. The tank has consistently grown sps without losing them

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I run a calcium reactor full time and weekly test Alk, calcium, and magnesium and It is always pretty steady. Alk is always in the 7.4 range so I add 1/4 cup baking soda weekly or it gets below 7. I feed fish heavy to maintain phosphates at .06 and dose sodium nitrate weekly to pick up a Salifert reading for nitrate. If I don’t it’s practically unreadable. The tank has consistently grown sps without losing them

There are many trace elements that can also become limiting. I'm not doubting that potassium might be a problem for you, I just do not think one can diagnose potassium deficiency by observing corals.

 

[pasquale petrovia]

Just an update potassium testing at 440 and reds coming back in. Thanks again Randy. I am going to do an ICP when I get the chance

 

[anthonygf]

I have been dosing potassium for a few years now to stay above 400. I dose BA's Potassion-P 1/2 teaspoon a week in my 75. It does help with coral colors.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Just an update potassium testing at 440 and reds coming back in. Thanks again Randy. I am going to do an ICP when I get the chance

Thanks for the update.