Potassium

[Marlin65]

So I have been dosing the Brightwell line for a bit now and am still wondering if it is doing anything. for my SPS. So I bought some potassium supplement and a test kit. The one that JL had in stock Korallen-Zucht. Anyone use that one? A bit finicky to use but I think I got the hang of it. (Best viewed in natural light)
I am running at about 250 parts as far as I can tell.
So I added the max per day amount for two days and I had some algae on my glass for each of those days. I never have algae on the glass as I have no fish right now.
Tested today and am still at 250 so wondering what other reefers experience is with that. (Added more but only half the max amount)

[schroeder]

Why are you dosing and testing for Potassium?

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by schroeder

Why are you dosing and testing for Potassium?

Potassium aids in the growth and colorization in SPS.

[schroeder]

Do water changes not keep the levels high enough?

[fencer]

look at zeo and ultra forums..K should be in the 350 range

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by fencer

look at zeo and ultra forums..K should be in the 350 range

You are correct it should be in 350-380 range

Water changes usually don't account for Pottassium, not enough to keep parameters where they should be.

[Marlin65]

Potassium makes the blues pop more right now mine is in the 250 range and I use the H2o salt with regular water changes.

[Myka]

Marlin, what product are you using to dose?

I use Zeo K-Balance Strong. In my tank (about 85 gallons net) if I dose 3 mL (not all at once) it will raise my Potassium about 100 ppm. I keep my Potassium 380-400 ppm.

[staceyd72]

Hi Marlin,

Curious to know what Potassium(K+) supplement you are dosing, as it should not cause an algae film on the panes.

I dose as Myka, K-Balance Strong, just different quantity(325 net), and I do not get any film on my panes. My levels stay in the 380-400 range.

I think some may be confusing Potassium Iodide Fluoride(PIF) with raising levels of K+ in the water column; this will not work, as PIF is mainly used as a colour enhancer(blue), not to raise K+.

The KZ K+ test can be a little confusing, but the more you use it the easier it is to read; the cloudier the sample the higher the concentration of K+.

HTH

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by staceyd72

Hi Marlin,

Curious to know what Potassium(K+) supplement you are dosing, as it should not cause an algae film on the panes.

I dose as Myka, K-Balance Strong, just different quantity(325 net), and I do not get any film on my panes. My levels stay in the 380-400 range.

I think some may be confusing Potassium Iodide Fluoride(PIF) with raising levels of K+ in the water column; this will not work, as PIF is mainly used as a colour enhancer(blue), not to raise K+.

The KZ K+ test can be a little confusing, but the more you use it the easier it is to read; the cloudier the sample the higher the concentration of K+.

HTH

I also dose Zeo K Balance Strong, 4 ml total a day, 2 in the morning and 2 at night on about 200G total water volume. I personally don't test this, I do have the Zeo Pottassium test kit, but hate that thing. I can never get a reading out of it. I have had great success with dosing at the dosage I am using.