the value of K

out of all the people on this site geek, i admire your knowledge in this hobby. others try to act like they know what there doing. the internet is limited in regards to the questions ive asked. the other information regarding K is easily accessible.

 

Well, that was unnecessary.

 

Most of those questions will not be answered in the hobbiest reefing community. There has been several time where I have come up against a brickwall when doing research. I dont know if the so called "reef experts" A:dont what they are doing B: Afraid of competetion C:Too good to talk somebody who isnt one of their own. Ive contacted several people about research Ive been doing and nobody will respond. Ive contacted universities, research institutes and various other places. So when it comes to expanding beyond the normal "advanced aquarist", we're out of luck. I know a few marine biologists/ecologists but none of them do what I do, or have an expertise in what Im researching so they are limited in helping. I do know a student at the local university going for marine biology who Ive been meaning to talk to about a few things, hes into reef keeping, so he might be able to help a little bit more. If I will remember, I'll ask him about this too.

 

nsw K is around 380 ppm, when a tank becomes potassium deficient problems occur. for instance coral health, cyano, color and so on. K is a major element that is overlooked since many think Ca,Mg,Dkh are the only major elements. Sr is another hidden secret but that is a total different thread.

 

Thats just another reason to use a good quality salt for water changes. As for levels in NSW, that depends on the mix you use. I use coralife as everybody knows, and its 357ppm on average for Potassium, Strontium is 8.3.

 

potassium in humans prevents heart attacks, makes trees have stronger roots, and enhances color in corals. but like everything else on this planet, everything has it limits. i dont do any water changes with my sps tank and dose a weird mixture. so the idea of finding a good salt to do water changes is out for me. even with water changes K is used and is more than likely gone by the next water change. so, it would be interesting to know my original questions.

its an inside joke between me and geek, it wasnt intended for you amcarrig

 

Everything can be bad if the levels are high/low enough. You would have to find somebody who has actually done specific research on that, but I seriously doubt you will. The serious marine chemists dont bother with the hobby side because theres simply no money in it for them. The armchair chemist experts will tell you their limited knowledge or repeat what they read somewhere.

 

I assume you've talked to Randy Holmes-Farley.....

 

I agree with some of the posts made by the others above.
Next time reef guru, it might be more appropriate to post what you've read and learned so far (and definitely reference the sources), then ask more specific questions on what you couldn't find while researching the topic, and maybe ask if what you've found was contradictory what anyone else has read or learned. This way no one here has to make guesses or assumptions at what you may or may not already have come across during your web surfing on whatever topic. I'm just trying to make a helpful suggestion for you that will benefit everyone.

While we're still into inside jokes, maybe Dr. Howell could do some research on potassium and the effects on reef aquariums for us?

 

does any one want my opinion ?...LOL