lastlight's 404

[gregzz4]

You may think the growth is slow but it still looks great in there. What a difference a few months makes. I'm glad to see the HA under control - big improvement on the whole experience from here !
Great pics

[lastlight]

So I finally did some tests last night:

Ca - 350
Alk - 10.5
Mg - 1500!

I haven't dosed Mg in ages so Reef Crystals must be high or I need a new kit. Since RC is for sure high in Ca the reduced water changes seems to have lead to a lowered Ca level which I think (I'm not a chemistry guy) means that the corals can't use Alk so the previously acceptable dose was more than needed.

I'm actually sorta stoked with these findings... maybe once I get them back in line growth will return to where it was before.

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I'm glad to see the HA under control - big improvement on the whole experience from here !

Nothing more unsightly than HA. I've gone through it before and I've finally learned to calm down, be patient and do what you can.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by lastlight

So I finally did some tests last night:

Ca - 350
Alk - 10.5
Mg - 1500!

I haven't dosed Mg in ages so Reef Crystals must be high or I need a new kit. Since RC is for sure high in Ca the reduced water changes seems to have lead to a lowered Ca level which I think (I'm not a chemistry guy) means that the corals can't use Alk so the previously acceptable dose was more than needed.

Weird. I don't get that kind of Mg reading my Reef Crystals, I get more like 1150. (I have to add a fair bit to get my w/c water to 1500, which nicely keeps up with Mg consumption to leave the tank at around 1400). I wonder if your kit is off.

IMO, nothing hugely wrong with Mg at 1500. Higher than ocean readings but some things seem to really appreciate Mg around there (I can tell by looking at my anemones if my Mg drops down to 1100 or lower).

Alk is a *little* high and Ca maybe a *little* low but quite within tolerances. I'd adjust my Alk dosing downwards and my Ca upwards by a tiny bit and see how things go from there.

[freezetyle]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Nothing more unsightly than HA. I've gone through it before and I've finally learned to calm down, be patient and do what you can.

Great advice, this is something need to learn.

Tanks looking great, I really like how everything pops against the new background

[Lance]

I agree with Tony. I'd rather my Mg was on the high side rather than low. My tank likes to be kept at about 1350.

[fishytime]

yup, higher Mg levels will also discourage most macro algae growth....

BTW....tank is looking killer brochacho!.....are you running zeo or the like?

[lastlight]

Thanks guys yeah I would def prefer high mg vs low. My kit is likely wonky or something. I adjusted my doser and I'm firing 400ml into the tank every night to raise it 10ppm per day. Child's play... I just got lazy with my testing.

No zeo Doug. Gfo and carbon. I did try a few doses of pohls xtra a while ago but it lightened some of my corals way too much and I barely added any.

[fishoholic]

FYI I hear there is a nice naso FS that would help fill in your tank

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by lastlight

No zeo Doug. Gfo and carbon. I did try a few doses of pohls xtra a while ago but it lightened some of my corals way too much and I barely added any.

this was recently?.....I was kinda thinking that a few pieces had that pastel/zeo look them....