KH for SPS

[pandagold]

what would the ideal KH for SPS .

I notice when i keep my KH at around 8-9, I can see better colouration

[honkit]

There's no ideal dkh levels although the zeovit users would suggest a lower dkh value of 7 or thereabouts.

The only consideration is the stability of your tank's dkh level i.e. it should not fluctuate by more than 0.5 daily.

[clee123]

There's no ideal dkh levels although the zeovit users would suggest a lower dkh value of 7 or thereabouts.

The only consideration is the stability of your tank's dkh level i.e. it should not fluctuate by more than 0.5 daily.

:bow:

[cedricang]

Imho, we need to differentiate between actual coloration improvement ( via SPS color pigment exitation change or morphing ) versus the browning extent of the SPS.

Kh does not significantly play a part in the above two factors. Rather, a constant kh will ensures a stable amount of the zooxanthellae exisit within the SPS that is critical for it's survival.

In other words, a tank with a constant higher kh (example at 10-11) may be just as colorful as one with a constant lower kh at 6-7 dkh. However a sudden swing in Kh will most probably results in an immediate browning, most likely an increase in zooxanthellae in response to the request by the hosting sps.

So a constant kh is important for maintaining a stable reef environment and SPS coloration.

Why do we ususally recommend a constant kh at 7-9 dkh then ? Reason is simply to be able to get your new favorite SPS addition be able to acclimatise easier and less chances of browning (at least not cause by the difference in kh between your tank water and the source where the sps is obtained).

Lighting and nutrient level is still by far the most important two factors in terms of good sps coloration.