What constitutes an Alk swing?

cwegescheide · 01/14/2006, 09:28 PM

I was just reading a post on the SPS forum talking about STN and causes of it being Alk swings. So my question is what constitutes a n Alk swing? How much of an increase/decrease of Alk within a day(s) would stress SPS into STN?

My alk for instance fluctuates between 4.0 meq/L - 3.7 meq/L in a week.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/15/2006, 07:40 AM

No, that wouldn't cause a problem. I'm not convinced you'd see any problem as long as the alk stayed within normal limits (say, about 2.5-4 meq/L)

cwegescheide · 01/15/2006, 10:03 AM

OK Randy so what your saying is that just as long as the alkalinity stays between 4.0meq/L - 2.5meq/L no matter how quickly it goes from 2.5 - 4.0 should not have any negative effects to SPS???

Thanks Randy.

Chris

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/15/2006, 01:09 PM

That would be my expectation, yes. Folks that use two part additives experience such swings between additions, and seem to do fine.

01/14/2006, 09:28 PM	#1
cwegescheide YOU have been ignored! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 5,231	What constitutes an Alk swing? I was just reading a post on the SPS forum talking about STN and causes of it being Alk swings. So my question is what constitutes a n Alk swing? How much of an increase/decrease of Alk within a day(s) would stress SPS into STN? My alk for instance fluctuates between 4.0 meq/L - 3.7 meq/L in a week.

01/15/2006, 07:40 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	No, that wouldn't cause a problem. I'm not convinced you'd see any problem as long as the alk stayed within normal limits (say, about 2.5-4 meq/L) __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/15/2006, 01:09 PM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	That would be my expectation, yes. Folks that use two part additives experience such swings between additions, and seem to do fine. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/15/2006, 10:03 AM	#3
cwegescheide YOU have been ignored! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 5,231	OK Randy so what your saying is that just as long as the alkalinity stays between 4.0meq/L - 2.5meq/L no matter how quickly it goes from 2.5 - 4.0 should not have any negative effects to SPS??? Thanks Randy. Chris