alk swing

[Dhayden]

I have been battling alk swings a little in a newer tank, about 2 months old. It gets down to 2.7 from about 3.2 or so. Now I have gotten it under control I think I have been keeping it at 3.5 to 3.8 for a few days now. But I have lost some color in a birdsnest, and a little loss of polyp extension in others. Is that much of a swing, from 2.7 to 3.5 enough to cause that? nothing else has changed. And the bulbs in all the lights are only 2 months old.

 

[kevinpo]

Hello,
Alkalinity levels do not change coral coloration. It is most often caused by changes in lighting intensity. Seriatopora will lose its color (turn brownish) very easily if the lighting intensity drops off. I use it as an indicator when to change bulbs.

How long have you had the coral in the tank? Have you changed location of the coral in the tank recently?

Regards,
Kevin

 

[Dhayden]

Not really. but I am getting less polyp extension each day and my parameters are near perfect. It sure looked to me like a light bulb question. Maybe I got a bad bulb. I got an old 15k in the garage that is only probably 8 months old. I could throw that in and see what happens. You think I need to stage a few light screens for a day or two if Im going from a 10k to a 15k?

 

[Dhayden]

Also, I was not liking my reeflux 10k anyway. A little too white for me. I was thinking of going with the coralvue 20k. I like the way that bulb looks, any suggestions of something more blue than I have but maybe a little better on par than the 20k? I have a magnetic ballast. 150w de. I supplement with 2 65w 420/450 atinics.

Thanks for looking.

Could my ballast be going? Never had one go I dont think, that didnt just go out. It a couple years old. A generic aquatraders magnetic type. Was debating going to 2-150w, or 2-175w over the tank. Its a 3ft 50 gal.

 

[kevinpo]

Hello,
A 150W bulb may not have enough PAR to keep a Seriatopora pink. I have to keep mine directly under a 400W driven by a HQI ballast to keep it hot pink. The best best location would be up high and directly below the bulb.

I like the Coralife 14,000K 150W HQI bulb for overall color.

Typically a lower Kelvin bulb has lower PAR so light intensity adjustment is not needed.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[Dhayden]

Well, go figure. I came home tonight and my MH was extremely dim. So I gather my bulb is gone. Kind of makes sense with what I have been seeing. Also I put on an old 15k I had laying around and it was a little dim as well. I guess my ballast isnt good either. So I ordered a PFO ballast, and a pheonix 14k from hellolights. I seem to remember people in my old club in austin loving that bulb so I will give it a shot. Cant find a par value onit but heck with it

Strange though, all my acropora style looking sps has lost a lot of polyp extension, and the birds nest browning out. But then the policipora and stylo I just got this weekend look great. Maybe its just not that big of a difference from what the store had them under. I started some charcoal as well jsut incase I also have some warfare going on with zoo'a or lps but i knid of doubt it. Keep you updated. Thanks for the help Kevin