What limits can be pushed in the big 3? Calcium, Magnesium and Alkalinity..

[tbaum101]

I'm new to this hobby. I've had my tank up for almost 7 months now so I'm very much just figuring many things out. I had an API test kit and was already going to the high end of the recommended ranges for everything. 500 Calcium, 1400 Magnesium and 11 dKh. I bought an API kit for Alk and it read 13.6! I know there are discrepancies between kits but WOW! BUT my SPS coral is really growing fast. I take pics all the time and then compare for observation. But at the same time, I feel like my LPS is pretty stagnant and it isn't doing much. Softie growth it also running away. Any thoughts? Here's some pics of my tank for an idea of what's in there

 

[Spare time]

13 KH is the highest I'd run as you are likely to get precipitation when its higher. Calcium I've ran higher with no issues. High alk is fine as long as you don't run an ULNS. I ran my large tank at 11-12KH.

 

[tbaum101]

13 KH is the highest I'd run as you are likely to get precipitation when its higher. Calcium I've ran higher with no issues. High alk is fine as long as you don't run an ULNS. I ran my large tank at 11-12KH.

I've heard people talk about precipitation but I don't know exactly what it is. What I THINK it is, is a buildup and maybe like when I add alkalinity solution and it looks like snow?

 

[crazyfishmom]

I've heard people talk about precipitation but I don't know exactly what it is. What I THINK it is, is a buildup and maybe like when I add alkalinity solution and it looks like snow?

Precipitation may look like snow initially but it normally comes in the form of pockets of sand that are hard or buildup in areas that you don’t want. As precipitation starts to happen you’ll also see declines in calcium as you raise alkalinity so you may have a hard time keeping calcium in line. Even coral farmers try to stay away from pushing their tanks like that. You can push magnesium to around 1500 but higher than that and inverts start to suffer.

As far as the dKh is concerned, sounds like you’re managing it well but just remember that a swing when it’s that high can really hurt your tank. A lot of people who do that successfully have been doing this for years and know exactly where consumption is in their tanks at any given point in time. In my experience consumption can shift dramatically every now and then and by the time it is caught it is already too late.

Tank looks good!!!! Keep it up!

 

[tbaum101]

Precipitation may look like snow initially but it normally comes in the form of pockets of sand that are hard or buildup in areas that you don’t want. As precipitation starts to happen you’ll also see declines in calcium as you raise alkalinity so you may have a hard time keeping calcium in line. Even coral farmers try to stay away from pushing their tanks like that. You can push magnesium to around 1500 but higher than that and inverts start to suffer.

As far as the dKh is concerned, sounds like you’re managing it well but just remember that a swing when it’s that high can really hurt your tank. A lot of people who do that successfully have been doing this for years and know exactly where consumption is in their tanks at any given point in time. In my experience consumption can shift dramatically every now and then and by the time it is caught it is already too late.

Tank looks good!!!! Keep it up!

Thank you for all of that. Great response. I've figured out my daily consumption buy have no idea what it is at different parts if the day. I measured at night...what was daily but lately I go 3 days between testing. I look at my corals and how happy they look and usually that prompts me to test. There is so much to learn. I watched and read as much as I could for months before I put water in and I still feel like I know nothing some days. I'm gonna back it down a little bit so I don't have a crash...That would kill me inside. It was bad enough at the 3 month Mark, now would just be the end...lol.

 

[tbaum101]

13 KH is the highest I'd run as you are likely to get precipitation when its higher. Calcium I've ran higher with no issues. High alk is fine as long as you don't run an ULNS. I ran my large tank at 11-12KH.

Thank you...I was shocked at the difference between tests. Kinda freaked actually. My nature is always to go big or go home. This hobby has forced me to be much more patient than is in my nature typically. I'm a jeweler by trade and the meticulous nature of that has transfered well to all of this...But it's hard waiting weeks for visible results but so satisfying!

 

[exnisstech]

it's hard waiting weeks for visible results but so satisfying!

I wish I could see results in weeks rather than months or even years for some pieces. Your tank looks awesome.
I find mixed reefs very difficult at times. It seems like there is always one or two coral, usually lps that just aren't happy.

 

[tbaum101]

I wish I could see results in weeks rather than months or even years for some pieces. Your tank looks awesome.
I find mixed reefs very difficult at times. It seems like there is always one or two coral, usually lps that just aren't happy.

It's definitely a challenge. I take lots of pictures and do side by side comparisons all the time. Then reference the dates on the Metadata for the pics to judge how it going. I'd bet you're having more growth than you think. We look at our tanks a lot every day and it's hard to tell until it's major. If I notice a coral not responding like the rest after a while, I move it to an area with different light or flow(or both) and see how it goes. With SPS I think it's easier honestly..they usually need flow and light for the most part. With LPS the needs can be so much more varried. It's definitely the weak spot in my tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've heard people talk about precipitation but I don't know exactly what it is. What I THINK it is, is a buildup and maybe like when I add alkalinity solution and it looks like snow?

It has different appearances and different compositions in different situations:

What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium? by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com