problem maintaining proper parameters

[mrcopitr]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

no, my Ca and alk stay constant, sometimes for weeks on end. The kalk is supposed to maintain the levels. How much evaporation do you have?
When I had to adjust withthe 2 part solutions, it would be once a month or so.

Hi Brad,

Evaporation is about 7 to 8 litres per day. (90 gal reef plus 20 gal sump) I dose the 2 part solution daily...60 ml of each, plus the kalk....24/7....I have ajusted the the mix to 2 tea spoon per 1 gal of ro/di water.

Thanks Marco

[mrcopitr]

[quote="Beverly"]From all the reading I have done recently about chemistry in a reef, I just want to point out how important it is to maintain magnesium levels along with Ca and alk. If there is depressed Mg in a system, Ca will not be utilized for coralline or stony coral growth, no matter how balanced alk and Ca are. Always figure Mg into your equation. I guess that is why the Reef Chemistry Calculator includes Mg along with Ca and alk:

Hi Beverly,

My mg is at 1200 to 1250 ppm....so i figure within proper range....
I have used the reef calculator, but my parameters still dont remain stable with this....may be because Im also dozing kalk plus the ESV bionic 2 part solution...the calculator doesnt take into account if you dose in conjonction with kalk...

Tks Marco

[Aquattro]

Evap seems fine, you should be able to maintain levles with the kalk alone, unless you have 40 or 50 pounds of corals in there!!

I think Mg could be a bit higher (1500ppm rings a bell, maybe someone confirm?) but try to use just the kalk for top off. Make sure your kalk is ok by testing it's pH. Saturated solution should be around 12.4

what are your nitrate levels?HNO3 is a weak acid that can affect alk (and therefore Ca). Make sure it's low to non-detectable.

[mrcopitr]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

Evap seems fine, you should be able to maintain levles with the kalk alone, unless you have 40 or 50 pounds of corals in there!!

I think Mg could be a bit higher (1500ppm rings a bell, maybe someone confirm?) but try to use just the kalk for top off. Make sure your kalk is ok by testing it's pH. Saturated solution should be around 12.4

what are your nitrate levels?HNO3 is a weak acid that can affect alk (and therefore Ca). Make sure it's low to non-detectable.

Hi Brad,

I probably have close to 30 pds of lps and softies( lots of lps), c clams, coco worm, feather dusters, 100 pds LR...so calcium is probably taken quite fast...

My mg is at 1200ppm...slaifert test kit says it should be in the 1300 to 1500 ppm range, so I'm on the low side..I went on the reef calculator, and to bring it to 1300 I would have to add 90 tea spoon and 270 tea spoon to bring it to 1500. What are your recommenadtions, how fast should I raise the value...90 tea spoon sounds alot...and the label on the seachem mg container says it can impact on the Ph (lower it)..

Also I just checked a new batch (24 hrs) of IO reef crystals..and the mg reading is 1200 ppm....so If I hear you right I should dose mg to raise these levels on a regular basis...I always only relied on water change (every 2 weeks 20%) to take care of that. But if a new batch of salt reads 1200ppm....no wonder my reef readings are only 1200ppm...

Brad my nitrate level are non detectable...I would of been suprise to see any level, has I dont have algae problem, plus the 2 clams probably use any level their might be...

Anxious to hear your comments on the mg...Tks Marco

[mrcopitr]

also I forgot to mention...I use phosban 24/7..could that play havoc with the parameters....

On the positive side, my clown fish lay eggs every 15 days...my corals do well, my RBTA splitted and are doing well....so I imagine everything is not bad in there....

To tell you the truth I only became interested in my values (pH, dkh, calc) whne i read that xenias neede at least a ph of 8.4 or higher to pump..mine dont at this pont.( my ph is only 8.2 to 8.25 at its best)....I think I'll just forget about the xenias not pumping.....

Marco

[marie]

If it isn't broke, don't fix it . My xenia pulses and my ph is around 8.2 at it's highest, I don't think they really know some xenia pulse and some don't

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by mrcopitr

My mg is at 1200ppm...slaifert test kit says it should be in the 1300 to 1500 ppm range, so I'm on the low side..I went on the reef calculator, and to bring it to 1300 I would have to add 90 tea spoon and 270 tea spoon to bring it to 1500. What are your recommenadtions, how fast should I raise the value...90 tea spoon sounds alot...and the label on the seachem mg container says it can impact on the Ph (lower it)..

Marco,

<EDIT>Hang on, I looked up the Seachem Reef Advantage Mg additive and it is a powder. The Kent product I used was liquid and recommended using X amount of ml of the additive. In one tank, I used 543 mls to get Mg to 1350 ppm. So I assume their calculation of using a whole whack of teaspoons is probably correct.

Also, follow the instructions of not adding it all in one day. I spread my additions over three days, adding 20, 30 or 40 mls (depending on tank size) at a time throughout each day. </EDIT>

[mrcopitr]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Marco,

I don't think they mean "teaspoons". I've used the calculator for Mg and they recommended millilitres (ml), not teaspoons. Indeed, using teaspoons would be waaaaay too much, imo. Check the calculator again to make sure Mg recommends adding it in ml.

Also, which specific Seachem Mg additive do you have?

Hi Bev,

I just went on the reef calculator (http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html) and entered tank size (95 gal), current mg 1200 ppm,desired mg 1300..product seachem....product required: 90.2 tsps; 451 grms.

and if I read the instruction on the bottle (Seachem reef advantage magnesium) this is the crystal form, thats pretty much what it comes too also....

I really dont know how fast I should add this quantity???

Thanks for all your input Beverly..it is very appreciated....

Marco

[Beverly]

I would break it down into thirds, which would be 30 teaspoons, mix it with RO and add one third each day. I edited my earlier post, so you may get an idea of how much to add at a time. I did not dump the 20 mls in all at once. I used a 10 ml large syringe and added it in dribbles where the water movement was highest and second highest.

[mrcopitr]

Originally Posted by Beverly

I would break it down into thirds, which would be 30 teaspoons, mix it with RO and add one third each day. I edited my earlier post, so you may get an idea of how much to add at a time. I did not dump the 20 mls in all at once. I used a 10 ml large syringe and added it in dribbles where the water movement was highest and second highest.

Thanks Beverly,

After reading your previous post, I've added 30 teaspoon in ro/di water of which I added half to the tank and the other half in my make up water..has Im doing a 20% water change today. I will add the rest of the 60 teaspoons in the next 2 days.

How often do you test for mg to see if it is within proper range???

Again tks for you interest ,....Marco