Magnesium and calcium levels

[Metrontech]

Hey guys and gals

Hoping someone can help

My levels are barely lowering week over week

My magnesium haven't gotten under 1400 and my calcium isn't going under 450

I am not dosing, I'm using pharmaceutical grade crystals with 5/3 mix for Mag

I read about people dosing, if I dose I would overload my tank

I'm keeping lps, softies and an anemone (which is doing really well )

Using a 300w led fixture

ALK ranges from 9-10

Salinity 1.025

Thanks for any input!

[Aquattro]

You don't have anything that's really using any. The LPS will use a bit over time, but water changes would likely keep up. Those are minerals and don't evaporate, they only deplete if things are using it to grow.

[Metrontech]

So how do I get them to use more?

I mean if everyone is dosing there must be something I need to adjust

[Aquattro]

Everyone isn't dosing, only those that are and post about it. Unless you have a lot of coral using Ca for building skeletal tissue, you won't use it. If you want to use more, buy more stony coral
LPS use a bit, but grow slow. Softies use a tiny amount, nothing you'd notice. Anemones, nada.

[Metrontech]

So then do I need weekly water changes?

Is there a pro and con to not doing them?

I mean if my levels are food why bother?

[Aquattro]

Yes. Water changes replenish elements you don't test for and dilute the build up of nutrients. Reefing isn't just about Ca and Mg. 20% biweekly will likely cover all your needs, and you save a whack of cash not having to dose. Consider yourself fortunate!

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

So how do I get them to use more?

I mean if everyone is dosing there must be something I need to adjust

Hey your lucky! Your saving money. The money your saving right now could be going towards SPS frags

Your parameters are good other than your Ca is a tad high. I shoot for 420

[Metrontech]

So higher Calc is bad? Does it affect the lps etc?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Metrontech

So higher Calc is bad? Does it affect the lps etc?

Not bad per se, but not needed. Ca on a reef is about 380ish. That's all you NEED. We keep it a bit higher in tanks to account for any sudden drops that might happen, giving us some wiggle room. Aiming for 400-420 is fine and leaves you that room.
What salt are you using, and how did you get to 450?

[Metrontech]

I purchase pharmaceutical grade from a guy here in the city

Its pure calcium carbonate

Also using Reef Crystals with the MAG and CAL added

Just did a 15 GALLON water change, I will do my reg testing later

Thanks again

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Not bad per se, but not needed. Ca on a reef is about 380ish. That's all you NEED. We keep it a bit higher in tanks to account for any sudden drops that might happen, giving us some wiggle room. Aiming for 400-420 is fine and leaves you that room.
What salt are you using, and how did you get to 450?