what could be causing burning tips

LoJack · #1 02-11-2014, 05:32 AM

It has a temporary effect, so depending on when you test, it could definitely be back to normal. Its not low alk that causes the issue, its a rapid fluctuation in alkalinity that the corals have a hard time adapting to.

I personally would snip the burnt tips, I find this to be a faster solution than waiting for the coral to recover and then regrow its tips. I find that freshly cut tips tend to grow fairly quickly.

I also do not like the Hanna checkers. I have phosphate, alkalinity, and calcium but I only use the phosphate tester anymore. I found the others unreliable and had huge fluctuations testing the same water 2 or 3 different times.

I have since switched to ELOS kits and doubt I'll ever use anything else again … so much easier, and I find the results consistent

neoh · #2 02-11-2014, 07:01 AM

enlightening! I didn't know GFO made significant alk swings. This is good to know. Whenever I see my corals acting up, I'll turn my GFO off for a few days. That would be 'splainin it!

Hope it works out for the best, asylum.

Proteus · #3 02-11-2014, 11:59 AM

Overdose of potassium can look like burnt tips

iceman86 · #4 02-11-2014, 12:24 PM

If your running an ulns keep the alk between 7-8 and as stable as possible. I keep mine at 7.5 so it can still move up or down and be fine. I get burnt tips on anything over 8. I recently ran into the same problem not knowing about the gfo lowering your alk and got rtn overnight and then slowly continued for a week.