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Red Sea MAX
pH may drop during daylight for several reasons:
Excessive CO
2
Alkalinity decreases
Excessive nitrification
Organic matter buildup
If you detect other indications of organic matter buildup, consider
reducing the food quantity and partially changing the water.
Alkalinity
Alkalinity refers to the amount of acid required to lower the pH,
as well as indicates the store of bicarbonate (HCO
3
) and carbonate
(CO
3
) in the water.
Corals absorb bicarbonate, convert it to carbonate, and then
combine the carbonate with calcium to form calcium carbonate
skeletons. The prevailing wisdom among marine biologists favors
the notion that certain organisms calcify more quickly at higher
alkalinity than naturally occurs in seawater. Bicarbonate intake
thus becomes a limiting factor in the calcification rate among
many corals. This stems partially from the fact that both
photosynthesis and calcification compete for bicarbonate, and
the bicarbonate concentration starts out low. For these reasons,
coral reef husbandry requires close attention to alkalinity. Without
supplementation, alkalinity levels will drop as corals consume
the bicarbonate.
You should maintain alkalinity in the 2.4-4.5 meq/L (7-15 dKH)
range. Higher levels, although they do not adversely affect the
coral, do increase the likelihood of decreased calcium
concentration.
For boosting alkalinity, use Red Sea Coral Buff. Its unique formula
of carbonate and bicarbonate effectively increases alkalinity to
the desired levels.
Calcium
As mentioned above, corals primarily use calcium carbonate to
form their skeletons. Most of the calcium comes from the
surrounding water. Consequently, aquaria with growing coral,
calcareous red algae, tridacnids and halimeda become rapidly
depleted of calcium. Once the calcium level drops below 360ppm,
corals can no longer absorb enough of it, and they stop growing.
Therefore, keep the calcium level at 380-450ppm. Higher levels,
although they do not adversely affect the coral, do increase the
likelihood of decreased alkalinity.
Always monitor alkalinity when adding calcium. For optimum
balance, use Red Sea Success Calcium and Coral Buff together.
For long-term calcium management, use a product such as Red
Sea Success Calk. The result of continuous research into hard
coral growth, Red Sea developed this superior alternative to
kalkwasser, calcium reactors and calcium chloride supplements.
Success Calk safely and simply replenishes the calcium and
carbonate as the corals remove them from the water.
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