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Potassium is an Element that Needs a Second Look – Part 1
Posted on December 15, 2014 by Justin Credabel
Goniopora benefit from higher Potassium as well as Iron and Manganese levels.
Are your coral ugly? Do you have coral that are dying? Do you not know why? Maybe the silent killer is what’s missing! Potassium! Gardeners care about it. We are underwater gardeners. Why don’t we? Reef aquarists are keeping photosynthetic symbiotic animal gardens in their tanks. As important as potassium is for photosynthesis, it should be important to us in our aquarium maintenance regime.Along with all the other “iums” there are in the coral keeping vernacular, one that should also be in conversation is potassium. Why are we forgetting this critical element? There is as much potassium in the ocean as there is calcium. Potassium is a critical element in fertilizers. Phosphorous (in the form of Phosphates in aquaria) and Nitrogen (in the form of Nitrate in aquaria) are the other elements that are listed in the ever present NPK rating. It is important that the ratio is correct in the fertilizer, so as to best grow your crop.Potassium is considered a macronutrient, along with nitrogen and phosphorous, as well as familiar elements to reefers, calcium, and magnesium. Another macronutrient that is a not as familiar: sulfur. In Australia fertilizers are rated with an NPKS ratio. Maybe we need to look there for some more clues in the future. Seawater usually contains about 400 ppm potassium. Not far off from the 420ppm for calcium. It is a regular practice of reef aquarists to keep higher calcium levels in their aquariums to support stony coral growth. Also most home aquariums have higher nitrate and phosphate levels than what is found on coral reefs in the ocean. In keeping with regular aquarium husbandry techniques, and being mindful of maintaining a proper balance of the major NPK nutrients in our tank, many aquaria may benefit from controlled potassium dosing.
Fungia and their relatives exhibit excellent growth and vivid coral with higher Potassium
I only feel comfortable now encouraging the use of potassium chloride, after half a decade of using it myself on various aquaculture and display systems. I have found it safe if used properly and I depend on it to keep my corals vibrant and healthy. More and more people are trying potassium chloride dosing, so hit them up and find out what their experience has been.
Potassium is an element that needs a second look. Part 2
Posted on January 5, 2015 by Justin Credabel
The pinks and purple in this captive grown Halomitra are enhanced with potassium
My experience with potassium was highlighted during an aquaculture project using filtered natural seawater that was low in potassium. I was advised by Steve Garrett, the outdoor coral system trailblazer in California, to make sure to correct this potassium deficiency. He noted that when tested his system was running at higher levels of potassium and doing great. He keeps a wide range of very colorful SPS, and flocks of Xenia growing in his outdoor glass aquarium of wonders. He has noted long term consistent growth with his Xenia with no crashing. Steve lends that to the potassium.Potassium is part of my regular reef husbandry regime. I have been using potassium chloride for years and doing so I have had much brighter and more intense colors. I have also had faster growth on my soft coral and macroalgae. I think it’s probable that the potassium in the Lugol’s what grows the Xenia. Perhaps the iodine alone is not as critical as potassium. I do very sparse iodine dosing, and all is well as far as growth and a lack of colony collapse are concerned. I do however dose iodine to enhance macroalgae growth when needed.
Pink, Purple and some Greens like those in this picture, are enhanced with potassium
I’ve noticed potassium enhances certain pigments especially pink. I had color enhancement effects within several days of dosing. Iron dosing (which I will cover more in he future) helps develop brown pigments, healthy background color, and deep toned greens. This in part seems due to enhanced zooxanthellae growth. Potassium has a more striking effect on the coral’s fluorescent proteins. Pinks, Purples and Reds respond most profoundly. Pink and Purple Pocillopora and Stylophora start emanating eye blasting hues. Neon Green and Orange fluorescence are all kicked into overdrive as well. I use the hot pink Stylos as a visual litmus test. It stays super bright pink with daily dosing. With slight overdosing the pink gets crazy bright and bleaches a little. Low potassium and the colors are dull, even brown.Potassium, because it is a nutrient, will cause increased nuisance algae growth in the presence of elevated nitrates and/or phosphates. Potassium will support the photosynthesis of all photosynthetic species, including macro and micro algae. This works great in a refugium, as the macroalgae grows quite lush. However a hair algae forest in your tank can wreak havoc on your husbandry routine. Make sure your phosphate and nitrate are not highly elevated before you dose.
Potassium is an Element That Needs a Second Look – Part 3
Posted on January 20, 2015 by Justin Credabel
Pipe Organ coral seems to benefit from potassium dosing, like its Octocoral brethren, Xenia.
Those looking to dose potassium should do so carefully and slowly. Overdosing potassium can be lethal to the coral. There are several kits on the market and some of them can tell you if potassium is below 400 ppm. If it is, you will generally want to correct this. It can be very hard to grow certain coral in low potassium. Most commercial salts create a mix that is near 400 ppm. Marine aquariums should be maintained at least around 400ppm. I have been running certain systems higher, 600-800+ ppm. If you can’t find a test kit that meets your needs, you can use a company where you send in your water for testing, they have higher range potassium testing capabilities.
Cyphastrea are often the first coral to let you know that there has been a Potassium overdose. Often their tissue peels away with a sudden high dose.
Potassium is sometimes added to aquariums through various means. One obvious example is the salt mix itself. There are also two part additives which may contain trace amounts of potassium, general element supplements, as well as potassium iodide, the standard softie support solution. I dose a potassium chloride solution in a 5 gallon bucket and let it drip feed into the system overnight. Any dosing regimen should start very conservatively, and very slowly over time should you increase dosage.There are several potassium aquarium products on the market. I started dosing at 2 tablespoons dry powder in approx 800 gallons, and increased over time to about ½ cup a day depending on dosing. I always mix this several gallons of RO and drip it in over the course of the day. Potassium chloride powder should not be added directly to the aquarium as this will harm your tank inhabitants. A note on bulk Potassium Chloride, it may sometimes contain trace amounts of phosphate, so consider your sources.
Trachyphyllia will show brighter colors with higher potassium, though low iron can cause bleaching
I see a future where potassium dosing and testing is just regular as calcium and nitrate testing. People will talk about NPK ratios in reef forums. Start your future now. Explore potassium.
Posted on December 15, 2014 by Justin Credabel
Goniopora benefit from higher Potassium as well as Iron and Manganese levels.
Are your coral ugly? Do you have coral that are dying? Do you not know why? Maybe the silent killer is what’s missing! Potassium! Gardeners care about it. We are underwater gardeners. Why don’t we? Reef aquarists are keeping photosynthetic symbiotic animal gardens in their tanks. As important as potassium is for photosynthesis, it should be important to us in our aquarium maintenance regime.Along with all the other “iums” there are in the coral keeping vernacular, one that should also be in conversation is potassium. Why are we forgetting this critical element? There is as much potassium in the ocean as there is calcium. Potassium is a critical element in fertilizers. Phosphorous (in the form of Phosphates in aquaria) and Nitrogen (in the form of Nitrate in aquaria) are the other elements that are listed in the ever present NPK rating. It is important that the ratio is correct in the fertilizer, so as to best grow your crop.Potassium is considered a macronutrient, along with nitrogen and phosphorous, as well as familiar elements to reefers, calcium, and magnesium. Another macronutrient that is a not as familiar: sulfur. In Australia fertilizers are rated with an NPKS ratio. Maybe we need to look there for some more clues in the future. Seawater usually contains about 400 ppm potassium. Not far off from the 420ppm for calcium. It is a regular practice of reef aquarists to keep higher calcium levels in their aquariums to support stony coral growth. Also most home aquariums have higher nitrate and phosphate levels than what is found on coral reefs in the ocean. In keeping with regular aquarium husbandry techniques, and being mindful of maintaining a proper balance of the major NPK nutrients in our tank, many aquaria may benefit from controlled potassium dosing.
Fungia and their relatives exhibit excellent growth and vivid coral with higher Potassium
I only feel comfortable now encouraging the use of potassium chloride, after half a decade of using it myself on various aquaculture and display systems. I have found it safe if used properly and I depend on it to keep my corals vibrant and healthy. More and more people are trying potassium chloride dosing, so hit them up and find out what their experience has been.
Potassium is an element that needs a second look. Part 2
Posted on January 5, 2015 by Justin Credabel
The pinks and purple in this captive grown Halomitra are enhanced with potassium
My experience with potassium was highlighted during an aquaculture project using filtered natural seawater that was low in potassium. I was advised by Steve Garrett, the outdoor coral system trailblazer in California, to make sure to correct this potassium deficiency. He noted that when tested his system was running at higher levels of potassium and doing great. He keeps a wide range of very colorful SPS, and flocks of Xenia growing in his outdoor glass aquarium of wonders. He has noted long term consistent growth with his Xenia with no crashing. Steve lends that to the potassium.Potassium is part of my regular reef husbandry regime. I have been using potassium chloride for years and doing so I have had much brighter and more intense colors. I have also had faster growth on my soft coral and macroalgae. I think it’s probable that the potassium in the Lugol’s what grows the Xenia. Perhaps the iodine alone is not as critical as potassium. I do very sparse iodine dosing, and all is well as far as growth and a lack of colony collapse are concerned. I do however dose iodine to enhance macroalgae growth when needed.
Pink, Purple and some Greens like those in this picture, are enhanced with potassium
I’ve noticed potassium enhances certain pigments especially pink. I had color enhancement effects within several days of dosing. Iron dosing (which I will cover more in he future) helps develop brown pigments, healthy background color, and deep toned greens. This in part seems due to enhanced zooxanthellae growth. Potassium has a more striking effect on the coral’s fluorescent proteins. Pinks, Purples and Reds respond most profoundly. Pink and Purple Pocillopora and Stylophora start emanating eye blasting hues. Neon Green and Orange fluorescence are all kicked into overdrive as well. I use the hot pink Stylos as a visual litmus test. It stays super bright pink with daily dosing. With slight overdosing the pink gets crazy bright and bleaches a little. Low potassium and the colors are dull, even brown.Potassium, because it is a nutrient, will cause increased nuisance algae growth in the presence of elevated nitrates and/or phosphates. Potassium will support the photosynthesis of all photosynthetic species, including macro and micro algae. This works great in a refugium, as the macroalgae grows quite lush. However a hair algae forest in your tank can wreak havoc on your husbandry routine. Make sure your phosphate and nitrate are not highly elevated before you dose.
Potassium is an Element That Needs a Second Look – Part 3
Posted on January 20, 2015 by Justin Credabel
Pipe Organ coral seems to benefit from potassium dosing, like its Octocoral brethren, Xenia.
Those looking to dose potassium should do so carefully and slowly. Overdosing potassium can be lethal to the coral. There are several kits on the market and some of them can tell you if potassium is below 400 ppm. If it is, you will generally want to correct this. It can be very hard to grow certain coral in low potassium. Most commercial salts create a mix that is near 400 ppm. Marine aquariums should be maintained at least around 400ppm. I have been running certain systems higher, 600-800+ ppm. If you can’t find a test kit that meets your needs, you can use a company where you send in your water for testing, they have higher range potassium testing capabilities.
Cyphastrea are often the first coral to let you know that there has been a Potassium overdose. Often their tissue peels away with a sudden high dose.
Potassium is sometimes added to aquariums through various means. One obvious example is the salt mix itself. There are also two part additives which may contain trace amounts of potassium, general element supplements, as well as potassium iodide, the standard softie support solution. I dose a potassium chloride solution in a 5 gallon bucket and let it drip feed into the system overnight. Any dosing regimen should start very conservatively, and very slowly over time should you increase dosage.There are several potassium aquarium products on the market. I started dosing at 2 tablespoons dry powder in approx 800 gallons, and increased over time to about ½ cup a day depending on dosing. I always mix this several gallons of RO and drip it in over the course of the day. Potassium chloride powder should not be added directly to the aquarium as this will harm your tank inhabitants. A note on bulk Potassium Chloride, it may sometimes contain trace amounts of phosphate, so consider your sources.
Trachyphyllia will show brighter colors with higher potassium, though low iron can cause bleaching
I see a future where potassium dosing and testing is just regular as calcium and nitrate testing. People will talk about NPK ratios in reef forums. Start your future now. Explore potassium.
