Reefs.org Forums

[jlinzmaier]

I'm curious about borate because my tank seems to have 3X the normal amount (around 12.0 normal is 4.4)

After Reading an artilce about borate by Randy Holmes Farley I'm concerned about my elevated level of borate affecting my alkalinity readings. I typically get an alkalinity reading of 4.5-5.0 meq and it typically stays within that range. This is the high end of normal and maybe too high, but I'm wondering if the elevated borate level could be creating false high alk results which could be masking an actual carbonate alkalinity deficiency.

I've also read that elevated levels of borate can be toxic to inverts but can't find any substantial information to clarify how elevated. Could my reading of 12 be inhibiting invert growth?

Hope someone can clarify.

[Kalkbreath]

Low Carbonate levels can have serious effects on all inverts.
Even the zooxanthellae need bicarbonates, of which they utilize extra protons released during calcification.
Not knowing what your true levels are is a disadvantage.

.....aside from any potential toxic effects which elevated boron/borate levels may have on inverts , low carbonate levels is clearly a detriment on marine life.

The ideal solution ...is to use products which contain near normal levels of borate, then see if you notice a difference.

[Dr. Phil]