ALK is low. GSP is scared

BeelzeBob

-CHAUVINIST PIG-
Mar 18, 2006
927
0
0
42
Boulder, Co.
its not like real low. but it has dropped a little. what should i do?

i got some gsp and they wont open (6 days and they're loosing color) is this why?

all other levels check out well. do gsp need like calk, iodine and other minerals? i thought they wre photosynthetic....

how do i fix my alk, do i use those buffer things? what causes that? :thud:
 
I have seachem's reef carbonate on hand for that. Have you been adding anything to the tank? How low is "dropped a little"? An excess of calcium can cause alk. to preciptate out of the water coloumn.

IME, even using a not-so good salt mix, just water changes will provide all the minerals they and other softies need for growth. Even though they are photosynthetic, they need more than just light to grow.
 
measure your Ca and Mg also. if your alk is low, you wont be able to raise it if your Mg is out of wack also
what salt are you using?
GSP can often be picky when first acclimating. what flow are they in and what lighting? what lighting were they underat the LFS? Placement in tank?
what are your other levels?
 
ima usisng this oceanic stuff

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=SALT-OC-50&Category_Code=Salt

im at work so ill test tonight.

they were under MH @ the lfs in a shallow tank, i have a 96w PC so i originally placed them high in my tank (Aprox. 8in from the light)

but i moved them lower when the color started fading.

all other levels are good.

ph 8.2

Amonia, no3 no3: 0

Alk is "in the green" whats considered "normal" on my test sheet. i dont have the thing in front of me so i cant give an exact consentration....
 
first of all, you are not clear about what it is that's fading. also oceanic is a good salt and if hardness is off, it's usually by not much, depends on what kind of water you use. fading corals or clams often mean not enough light. you will not need extra vitamins, magnezium, or calcium with oceanic for sure.
 
AquariaCentral.com