Part II - Elevated Alkalinity and Calcium for faster growth? | BRStv Investigates

Today on BRStv we're wrapping up the second part of testing the possibility of achieving faster coral growth with elevated levels of Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium. Find out if raising your levels can bring get you closer to a full reef tank and see how we're going to really put this experiment to the test in the next evolution!
#BRStv #BRStvInvestigates
Missed the first part? Be sure to watch at the link below!
• Part I - Faster coral ...
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Today on BRStv, we have a brand new episode of our series, BRStv Investigates. In this series, we explore popular reefing theories, products, methods, and what the manuals are missing, with a focus on putting them to the test!
This week we aim to determine what effect elevated levels of major elements will have on coral growth by controlling two sets of tank's parameters and monitoring closely. For this experiment we'll have two sets of tanks, with the first set maintaining parameters at 430ppm Calcium / 1280ppm Magnesium /8dKH. The second set of tanks will maintain elevated levels at 465ppm Calcium / 1390ppm Magnesium / 12dKH.
We release a new BRStv Investigates episode each Friday, so don't forget to hit that subscribe button to see what's coming up next!
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The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications as presented in the video. Aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages.

[@ThaBiznessReefTank]

This is how you move the hobby forward leaps and bounds. Shouts out to BRS, ETM, Neptune, WWC, and now Red Sea.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thanks for the shout outs! We are super excited to to be helping progress our hobby along with BRS, ETM, Neptune Systems

[@Redseafish]

Thank you. Our R&D departments has a few more surprises coming out soon ;)

[@coralmonger6868]

Just finished dumping a gallon of alk in my pico tank! Here comes growth at 1000 percent rate! 😁😁😁. Thanks BRS

[@jaimegarcia6008]

Jorge Aguilar two days later everything is dead lol

[@bif24701]

Science bitch!

[@pavlenovicic1160]

2 days? More like 2 hours :D

[@baiacusincero1048]

lol

[@ghost61]

I learned that the hard way. A lot less then a gallon

[@Redseafish]

Great work guys. Thank you for adding another validation to our Elevated Levels research that presented our hobby with Coral Pro Salt and the "Accelerated Growth" recipe. We would love seeing these E-Series tanks get wet and your future work unfolds.

[@BillyPipes]

Your videos have changed the hobby for sure 👍. I still think a new 52 weeks of reefing on a new system with newer equipment would be watched by millions!!!

[@Live4Ibanez]

I sure know I would love that billy! Anything BRS is great to watch! Especially investigates. Yours too! keep it up

[@BillyPipes]

@@Live4Ibanez 👍👍

[@Angel_A6969]

I said it before and I’ll say it again. Everything I know about the hobby it’s because of BRS. Year after year the information gets better. Thank you BRS and to all the sponsors!

[@jaya-ql5zl]

First, I would like to thank the sponsors for these videos and experiments. Second, I would like to thank BRS as well. I have been keeping freshwater tanks for many years. With plans to move to a different state in the next few years, a massive dream tank build has been budgeted for. It is with this dream I will enter the world of saltwater. I have a few years to learn all I can to help with the success of spending thousands of dollars on a dream build. With that said, BRS has provided so much knowledge to me VIA product reviews, experience, and experiments. When my dream becomes reality, know that I will be spending my thousands shopping at BRS and also buying the products that are sponsored and reviewed here in the videos. Amazing work and job well done to both BRS and sponsors that help with the hobby of life in a glass box!

[@tplummer217]

I think that you guys and your sponsors are doing the reefing community a big favor..

[@ederquiroz4316]

I would like to thank all the members of the brs team as well as Neptune, Ecotech, and WWC for not only taking the time but making it possible to further advance the techniques of reef keeping. As I mentioned before such generous acts from both brs and its sponsors is what keeps people such as myself as loyal customer. It's humbling to see such great companies giving back to the community. It's greatly appreciated to say the least. Thank you all for making this possible.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Your welcome, we are very excited to be part of advancing the techniques of reef keeping!

[@tbaum101]

As always, your research was done well and is relevant to the hobby. I'm recently back to the hobby after 30 years and you guys have been invaluable in my journey. Thanks for what you do

[@mikemcgill7356]

You guys at BRS absolutely keep noobs like me pushing thru the failures that can pop up with educational and solid information Thanks for that ,continued success

[@fishybell]

This is exactly the type of experiment that should be ran. Learning that the experiment failed on the first go, and had to be reran across the board is fundamental in understanding the final results. Props to the sponsors, as making the hobby a more sure-thing is what is going to propel the hobby as time goes on.

[@jaredbrady9416]

Shout out to Ecotech for sure! I have upgraded my lights, pumps, and return to ecotech. From the BRSTV videos and the amazing quality they have with all of their products. every time I added upgraded to something from EcoTech I saw the improvement in my tank and the control through the reeflink is great. Thanks for the great videos BRS and thanks to all the sponsors that make it happen! Have a great long weekend everyone!

[@anthonyragan2696]

I love BRS' research work: no sacred cows, test everything.

[@perovic96]

Please this really needs an update with more LPS , and also soft corals

[@davidebel9276]

These series' are fantastic - and elevate the hobby. The sponsors deserve loyal support, and I'm looking forward to the next set of results.

[@the.humble.reefer7230]

I've been running my mixed reef at high parameters for a few months now, my calcium 500, alk 10.5 and magnesium at 1500. I really enjoy these vid's and I'm always impressed with what BRS puts out there, thank you.

[@chriss3158]

How are those numbers treating you 2 years later ?

[@AquaSplendor]

I'm scared how this video might impact ("viral"), some people will jump on the conclusion despite your warning. We need more experiment, and this take time. People forget Coral are animal. Each animal act differently to different environnement. I'm surprise for the Montipora, was expecting more growth. Thank you for this effort and all sponsor for this !

[@ratherbeflyen1]

Videos like this one with unbiased results are the reason I got into keeping a reef tank. Too much of any hobby is dedicated to marketing the latest product boosting sales and profit. It makes it difficult to "know" what you need to have and do to get started. The BRS commitment to real answers with real results is why they are my go to place for my reefing needs. Keep up the good work!

[@HoustonToDinosaur]

Huge props to BRS and all of the sponsor companies for really supporting the hobby and investigating questions like this for the community. These videos and all of the information that BRS makes freely available are the reason they are my go to place for supplies!

[@72beetleman]

Thank you so much brs for what you’re doing for the hobby. Thank you also to Neptune, ecotech, wwc, and Red Sea!!!

[@atfinthehouse8631]

Fantastic that you do this so carefully and scientifically

[@Sysgen]

I am impressed with Red Sea coming on board to support this effort. It's also encouraging to me to see the companies I am selecting for my systems builds to be the very same companies supporting these trials.

[@Redseafish]

While our R&D departments' researches are done without any public exposure, this is a great example of shedding light over one of the biggest controversial topics we encountered, when we came out with our Elevated level recommendation over a decade ago. Awesome job BRS.

[@AMILLER415]

Wow! This episode felt like Xmas morning. Amazing job! I'm kinda speechless about the amount of resources and effort that is being invested going forward and I absolutely love it! Thanks to the sponsors and BRS!!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Your welcome and we are so excited to be part of this!

[@MrSikorskys]

It's tremendous amount of work. Thank you.

[@HobbySci]

This is why I shop at BRS. Regardless of good price. They are giving back some great info.

[@JamieR1234]

Really appreciate all the work you do. BRS rocks!

[@robertwhicker1842]

A big thank you to all the hard work that goes into all this

[@jsandra860]

Wow, interesting! Thank you for all your experiments and shared results. There is a lot of rumors, opinions and speculation out there for reef tanks and it’s greatly appreciated separating fact from thoughts with controlled experiments.

[@duraticatereef1003]

Good job brs team! I have been running elevated parameters for years. I have tried telling people this but no one listened.thank you for doing this experiment

[@Psymon234]

Amazing BRS team! Thank you for all the effort and energy put into testing theories like this.

[@sarahkirk7885]

I love these experiments. Thank you for taking the time to do these. It saves me time and money. Highly appreciated 🙏

[@ellenjasmer209]

I tested my parameters over the weekend and discovered that my alkalinity was really high, which really puzzled me because the tank has really been looking good lately. I am glad I stumbled across this video because I thought I'd have to start looking for ways to decrease the alk. I'm still a relative newbie, so this video was not only timely, but also helped me to realize that deviations in parameters are not always a bad thing. Thanks!

[@primeix]

Thank you WWC, Neptune Systems, Echotech, Red sea for helping make these videos! Because of this series I have gotten into reefing and bought your products!

[@oscaranchundia3641]

Super awesome video and helpful 👍👍👍👍 thank you for all your guys do for the community

[@motta4100]

You are great guys! Awesome experiments, scientific results and conclusions. Thanks for doing this!

[@The_District_Reef]

Great video. Great experiment. Thanks to BRS, Neptune, WWC, ETM, and Red Sea for their commitment to further the hobby!

[@JheregCG60]

You guys are truly above and beyond helpful to the hobby, thank you!

[@daviddistefano9469]

I love all the experiments you're doing, keep up the great work!

[@vipete1985]

I would like to see that experiment with more LPS and Softies vs sps....I think the fleshy LPS like the blastos, euphyllia, trachy, and lobophyllia May suffer a bit more in that higher AlK environment....All encrustig corals and higher calcium content corals like sps seem to have thrived....Interesting nonetheless! Great job

[@wmn9999]

I was very excited to see that you released the results. Thank you . This is one of the many reasons that BRS is my go to vendor.

[@popasmurph8773]

Great video guys (including sponsors)! I love and appreciate all your efforts, hard work, and commitment

[@popasmurph8773]

Btw I will not be adjusting any parameters after watching this video, so that's one less reefer to worry about lol

[@WorldWideCorals]

Your very welcome

[@TheDaddy2003]

Love the constant Scientific approach you guys keep taking! This information is so so useful to the hobby! Big thanks to all the sponsors for making it possible. These sort of tests really do move the hobby forward.

[@rickb7242]

Amazing video ! Thanks BRS !

[@bobwright8789]

I thank the team at BRS and their sponsors. Your work not only advances the hobby, it also provides insight into one of the most unknown environments on our planet. Perhaps one day this type of research will not only help refers to improve their tanks but to also answer many unanswered questions that still lay deep within our ocean... after all the ocean was where life began and it still remains a mystery for most.

[@charlesd7289]

SUCH an awesome experiment. Excited to see what happens throughout the year to the testing tanks. And thanks Red Sea!!

[@olliesshop]

Awesome job on this video. Sponsor support is greatly appreciated! These experiments have significantly helped improve my tank. Thanks BRS, Neptune, WWC and Red Sea 👍😃

[@WorldWideCorals]

Your welcome!!

[@Redseafish]

Thank you.

[@epicnas12342]

Great video, really appreciate all the time, effort, and money put into these videos. 👍🏼

[@hammockfinance3028]

These BRStv investigates videos are so appreciated. I hope BRS and the sponsors of these videos know that sponsoring this sort of content leads to people like myself voting with our pocketbooks to support the companies who are supporting our hobby. In my case it absolutely does.

[@AG_adventures]

your knowledge level is impressive. keep up the good work. love to see these videos, i have been in the game for a long time as well but just now started messing with corals again. great info!

[@TRSCAquatics]

I LOVE These tests!!!!!!!! Great JOB BRS!

[@captivebredcanada]

Very interesting results. I am very surprised to be honest. Did you ever test the NO3/PO4 and was there any difference between the tanks? Results on eggcrate might not be as pretty but that in combination with the weight makes it much easier as a view to see the difference.

[@BlueCarbonReefing]

Nice work BRS. The results look pretty conclusive to me. Can't wait to see the new reef lab setup and running!

[@cochisestar3120]

That was a good experiment! Keep them coming

[@marioguillen194]

Awesome videos like always very knowledgeable and great contents keep up the good work and thanks for helping us keep this hobby for our kids to enjoy Someday as well !!!

[@VIPReefAquariums]

Is it me or do elevated tank corals seem to have more algae growth on both the coral and frag discs? Thanks for conducting this experiment.

[@kasper2123]

Great job. And thank you to all sponsors and BRS - I have learned so much wathing all your series... Only problem - so many new gadgets that suddenly becomes need to have!.. Please don't throw out all the frags, you can send them my way :-D

[@patnethercott5184]

Great video...always wondered what would happen if I raised the levels if I would see increased growth. Would hate to try on my own esp since this hobby can get quite expensive. BRS and it’s sponsors are definitely moving the hobby forward! Thank you for the info!!!

[@grantv2313]

So impressive. Thanks for all the work. Findings were very interesting. It doesn’t surprise me that some corals seem to benefit from the elevated elements more than others. I was surprised that color and polyp extension was affected. Did not expect that. 465 CA doesn’t seem that elevated compared to the control group. Alk was kept pretty high. I think the test proved enough to me. It made me wonder if even higher levels would have a positive affect. These tests are so good you get greedy for a 3rd group of tanks at 500 CA. and 14 dkh but then again even if it did work it’d be difficult to maintain. If not impossible in some tanks. I liked the explanation on why this works in the first video. Just makes it easier for them to grow. If a dog is allowed to lay around and eat hamburgers every day without spending any energy it’s going to gain weight quickly. Same basic idea.

[@matyas4878]

You certainly proved Dana Riddle right! He said alk is used in corals as co2 is used in plants. Go growth!

[@Live4Ibanez]

I definitely agree with you BRS, this is a certainty! Would love to see this again with some colorful acro's, perhaps some euphilia, and colorful softies like a zoa or neon leather! This is such a great video. Good experiment performed very well! Having a 2nd sample is a HUGE deal. If you can't recreate an experiment, then there's no point to it at all. I've wanted to know this one for many many years and I've been in the hobby for only 10 years. I DON'T think higher parameters are nearly as important as stable parameters, but it's things like this that create steps forward by influencing further testing. Very good video. BRS investigates is absolutely the best thing on youtube. To anyone reading this, if you don't have dosing on your tank yet, it's 2018, please get after it. They're so cheap. Find a DP8 Jebao, they are all a beginner to dosing needs to start. It'll be the best present your tank will ever receive.

[@mr.reeftank1456]

Anybody else notice the extra amount of algae that the experiment tanks had in comparison? Possible rock leaching extra nutrients to feed the corals?

[@jeremesalazar1076]

Nice set-up. Good for the aquamarine research laboratory.

[@no1003364]

i hope you go through with the redsea E series tank tests! id love to see acros and such with 6+ months of elevated levels because the long run the cost really builds up! thank you brstv for all the information it really is invaluable!!!

[@jetstream01]

Thank you so much for making this video. I'm definitely gonna set up my tank with similar parameters and see how it works. Since I'm not changing an existing tank I'm not anticipating any problems.

[@MrCoolBurn]

Thanks learned a lot from you guys

[@steveny1087]

Got to show some support for this great video. Thanks for all the work.

[@LOONEY8581]

This video is 4 years old.. how time flies.

[@deanfielding4411]

Thank you SO MUCH for having this valuable scientific approach. Science is so needed in this hobby, which I hope one day will mean we can properly breed corals and help increase our understanding of the reef and make the hobby more sustainable and one day pay the ultimate thanks by raising awareness of climate change and saving the natural reef.

[@bobwright8789]

I would like to add one additional note to my comments on this discussion. When I started my first reef tank I kept my water parameters in range of the control tanks in this video and I had success. However, after reading a few posts on the benefits of raising certain levels; IE, calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium I was prompted to give it a try. I can say this from personal experience, when I raised those levels in my tank over several months I noticed an increase in coral growth, but I also noticed an increase in growth of undesirable organisms. I think having elevated levels of primary elements that increase coral growth will also increase the growth of unwanted pests that feed off of these same elements. That being said I feel the benefits of your coral growing that much faster are worth it but you must be diligent in managing your tank and identifying unwanted organisms and removing them before they have a chance to take hold. From personal experience I plan to continue to keep those levels raised but I also think it takes a diligent reefer to monitor their tank and to understand you are not only providing and amazing environment for your coral, but you are also providing an amazing environment for every other organism including the ones that are not so desirable in the hobby. All that being said never forget we are trying to simulate an environment that has been around long before we were born, and it will be around long after we die. Its important to keep in mind even the smallest change may have its benefits, but it can also have its down falls. I personally think raising those levels has done my tank good, but I also take great caution in watching my tank to ensure that nothing takes hold that could harm my coral or be an eyesore in my tank. The only other thing I could think to add would be for everyone to keep in mind there is such thing as to much of a good thing. Coral and the other inhabitants in any tank can only process these elements so fast. At some point adding more of these elements would most likely cause harm and stress and in a worst-case scenario adding to much of one could lockout another making it unavailable to your coral. I think the experiment tank parameters in this video illustraight an appropriate and reasonable increase without going overboard.

[@davidburnside8370]

Love this work BRS, these videos have definitely helped me even start out in the hobby and now grow!

[@drewslagoon]

your educational videos are absolutely amazing and inspiring... BIGG thanks for what you Guys do for the community

[@thereefaholic]

As always thanks for doing the research. I do also appreciate your warning telling refers not to bump up their levels. This may be a topic for another BRS investigates, but running higher alkalinity levels in ultra low nutrient tanks could be a recipe for disaster. Wow this may be just anecdotal,Mini refers will tell you that ultra low nutrient systems are more susceptible to disaster from alkalinity swings at the higher range. Like I said this may be another good topic for BRS investigates. Thank you for all that you do.

[@MARINETV]

thanks BRS

[@WealthyFirefighter]

i would have loved to see some acros in the mix as well, but great experiment BRS! Thank you

[@1reefluvr2]

Have always been a red sea person. Im glad my go too company has got on board

[@karlmarsh9950]

Great video, enjoy gluing all those impellers on the red sea pumps to get them running quite lol, had to do this on my nano which is apparently a common fault

[@AlexS-lz1gs]

Thank you so much for sharing this with the community

[@AJXYZ1234]

Awesome video and info as usual

[@freemansaquatics5326]

Ill second that statement CHEERS yall

[@josephdurk7589]

Thanks for all the work you do. I am bummed to hear about the ph tanks, I struggle keeping the ph even close to high enough in our tank. Was looking for confirmation that a co2 scrubber was going to be worth it. Thanks again!

[@TheThetjs]

You dose carbon? That will lower pH

[@mistersixtynine7399]

I'm dosing ATI essentials and using coral pro salt. My cal is higher than my alk, thinking of upping it a few ml. Thanks so much for these well done, clearly communicated and interesting vids!

[@dianaaliprandi]

Great video as expected from you. Thank you to Red Sea. I love RS Pro salt mix plus their test kits and have been using those products for 2 years. I just purchased more products to try out from Red Sea today!

[@fishguyny2505]

great stuff. i try to keep my alk around 10.3 in my nuvo 10. entered the red sea nano tank giveaway, fingers crossed! its my dream tank

[@aquapucci]

Gotta say...you guys are just awesome! Good job.

[@myreeflife7072]

definitely appreciate the effort!

[@beauluftenburg3167]

I struggle to keep my dkh bellow 11 because of how much kalk I use but things seem great. But I would like to achieve a stable 10 some day. maybe after tank matures a bit Thank Ry for the vidski!

[@sunnygoold9449]

Incredible - this is really amazing ;)

[@jonathanchristian9776]

2 dislikes? i bet one was from marine depot and the other from liveaquaria lol jk

[@eurocorals]

Good experiment. Something very important to do in this experiment is to make sure as well that the Ratio of po4, no3 and C are correct and the same in both experiment tanks. Or maybe a bit hight in one of them. Please include this info in your next experiment and we would like to see some acros too. Nice work.

[@anthonymurphy3101]

What were the levels of nitrate and phosphate in the control and experiment tanks? Wouldn't that be a factor as well?

[@jeffsreeftank]

Awesome experiment guys. Very useful data especially from controlled environments. Good job!

[@billpacheco7673]

That was a great experiment. I agree that future experiments should further isolate the individual elements to see if it is a one or all that provides the most bang. Although, I suspect that it is some harmony of all of them that contributes to the lift in growth and that isolation does not get the same growth rates if not stunting the growth altogether.

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Great video!

[@shane.henderson]

Great video! I've learned so much about this hobby watching the BRS channel. I can't thank your team enough, keep up the good work! BTW, it's a bummer that the contest is U.S. only. :(

[@mdoran3]

You need to normalize the final mass with the initial mass and compare the percent mass increase (not the absolute mass increase) between the control and experimental tanks. That way you're eliminating the effects of one coral having a higher starting mass.

[@codyritenour8820]

Can you give us a idea of your nitrate levels while testing? A lot of people say you need higher nitrates with higher alk.

[@timothyandersen1533]

Amazing job. What about the fact that they all came from wwc and we’re almost certainly being kept in a “elevated parameter” environment prior. Meaning the adaptation is less extreme for the elevated parameter group. That alone may stunt the growth to influence results

[@joshuafisher1900]

amazing video guys

[@boeyworld]

Great value of information. Thanks.

[@supasolly]

I really like this experiment, but I wish you would of put some acros in the experiment too. I think they would of done well with the elevated levels.

[@KlimovArtem1]

That's so interesting! My favorite channel!