Is High Alkalinity Bad for Anything?

[Anonymous]

My alk is high. 5.37 meq/l. I know that is high, but I also recall reading somewhere that higher alkalinity can cause increased growth in SPS. IIRC, that article said high as in 4.0 meq/l.

My other parameters are:
CA: 440 PPM
Mg: 1320 PPM
PH: 8.01
Ca reactor effluent ph: 6.40.

Should I tone my reactor down to get that Alk down or just leave it be?

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Mine was way up there as well, and I never had any real issues with it, but lowered it all the same. Better safe than...IIRC mine a bit higher than yours is now so I was concerned and turned off the CA reactor for a few days or a week, and lowered it that way. Then I kept my CA up by adding Clcium chloride which won't raise the Alk. Again, if I remeber correctly I get better polyp extension now that it is lower, perhaps due to the alk, or perhaps a coincidence.

 

[Anonymous]

I noticed when I had high alk, my zoo's didnt look as good...the polyps weren't as extended, they seemed more closed most of the time.

That was the only noticible thing in the tank affected.

My top off water is pretty acidic, so it dropped quickly anyway.

 

[Anonymous]

I shut off the CO2 to my reactor this morning. I think I'll leave it off for a few days.

Louey