Mag/Cal/Alk Please Help

RicoReef

RicoReef

Member
Hey guys this is my first time testing by my self am testing with the Salifert Profi test kits
Are my levels ok or do they need an adjustment ? Thanks for the help in advance

(Mag) 1440 mg/L
(Cal) 490 mg/L
(Alk) 5.36 mg/L

Temp goes from 78f to 84f on hot days

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The only issue I see is the ALK is very low if thats in DKH. And those temp swings are pretty big if thats in a single day.
 
sk8elenex92 said:
The only issue I see is the ALK is very low if thats in DKH. And those temp swings are pretty big if thats in a single day.
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Hello Chris its mg. and the temp will go that high if i don't run my Lil fan with fan it usually stays at 82f thats probably why I can't keep SPS Frags I was looking into a chiller but I'll be moving next year and i might not need it and i might not have space in my chambers to the chiller pump

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I’ve experienced similar results when using Reef Crystals salt. Measure your freshly prepared saltwater to see what it is.
 
Salinity as in 1.026? Then that is perfect.. Water changes should probably not make it that high. What salt are you using. Why did you decide to do bi-weekly I do about 20 gal once a month, but everyones tank is diff.
 
I just tested my ro salt mix and its the same as tank would aquavitro ph buffer work? Or kent 2 part or just changing my salt ?
sk8elenex92 said:
Salinity as in 1.026? Then that is perfect.. Water changes should probably not make it that high. What salt are you using. Why did you decide to do bi-weekly I do about 20 gal once a month, but everyones tank is diff.
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sk8elenex92 said:
Salinity as in 1.026? Then that is perfect.. Water changes should probably not make it that high. What salt are you using. Why did you decide to do bi-weekly I do about 20 gal once a month, but everyones tank is diff.
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Am using reef crystals i decided to go by weekly because i seen a change in my chalice's they browned out and candy canes also but am not sure if i was the change from AI primes to radion or what I'm confused

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RicoReef said:
I just tested my ro salt mix and its the same as tank would aquavitro ph buffer work? Or kent 2 part or just changing my salt ?
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Aquavitro Salinity does claim to have much tighter control of their product and will be lower (~9.8 dKH) compared to Reef Crystals. I don't know anything about their pH buffer and don't think it would change the available Alk much.

When I saw similar numbers in my tank, I stopped doing weekly water changes and waited until the coral sucked the Cal, Alk and Mag out of the water. Also switched to Aquavitro Salinity once I resumed water changes.

If you have a fast growing SPS tank, I think reef crystals are a good thing because the SPS will consume the higher levels of Cal, Alk and Mag more quickly.
 
So this apparently happening in basement due to air flow some people run a line from the skimmer two a hole in the wall leeting outside ? Could this be my problem ? I don't know if you prefer what permanently take care of my problem

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goatous said:
Aquavitro Salinity does claim to have much tighter control of their product and will be lower (~9.8 dKH) compared to Reef Crystals. I don't know anything about their pH buffer and don't think it would change the available Alk much.

When I saw similar numbers in my tank, I stopped doing weekly water changes and waited until the coral sucked the Cal, Alk and Mag out of the water. Also switched to Aquavitro Salinity once I resumed water changes.

If you have a fast growing SPS tank, I think reef crystals are a good thing because the SPS will consume the higher levels of Cal, Alk and Mag more quickly.
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Ok i see i don't really have much sps just a couple. mainly shrooms leather and zoas

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The airline to outside helps with ph swings..it also puts air exchange better than jus circulating some in a cabinet. But yours is in basement?
I don't see how the airline would affect.

What are you asking? If it's bad params? If depends how much your tank needs. Every tank is diff and will comsume at diff rates.

For example. My params were out of range. My corals were suffering. So i checked my fresh mix. Was a used pail i bought as reef crystals...turns out it was instant ocean in a sea Chem reef crystals. So i did some testing n dosing until i was at max traces. I waited a week and tested to see my consumption.
I now dose kali kalk and maintain those levels. I've not done a water change. Corals look great.

Hope this helped
 
RicoReef said:
Ok i see i don't really have much sps just a couple. mainly shrooms leather and zoas

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Because you don’t have much for corals that can consume the Alk/Cal/Mag, I would consider switching to another salt that isn’t ‘enhanced’ like RC and has levels more on par with natural seawater.
I’d be interested to hear what a seasoned veteran would say.
 
#theMatrix said:
The airline to outside helps with ph swings..it also puts air exchange better than jus circulating some in a cabinet. But yours is in basement?
I don't see how the airline would affect.

What are you asking? If it's bad params? If depends how much your tank needs. Every tank is diff and will comsume at diff rates.

For example. My params were out of range. My corals were suffering. So i checked my fresh mix. Was a used pail i bought as reef crystals...turns out it was instant ocean in a sea Chem reef crystals. So i did some testing n dosing until i was at max traces. I waited a week and tested to see my consumption.
I now dose kali kalk and maintain those levels. I've not done a water change. Corals look great.

Hope this helped
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Its instant ocean reef crystals both my tank and ro mix alk are the same i would like to know how i can bring it down to war its should be but then again like you mentioned all tanks are different and i have an aio tank so i guess swings might be common ?

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Your reef crystals is mixing at 15dkh? Double check your test.. This is prob not due to your PH and being in a basement.... And having a higher ALK for sps is better is not true. SPS want it to be stable whether its 7 or 12. I run my tank at 7.8 - 8 dkh. I would stop the water change and test your alk in a couple days. im no expert but those would be my plans.
 
sk8elenex92 said:
Your reef crystals is mixing at 15dkh? Double check your test.. This is prob not due to your PH and being in a basement.... And having a higher ALK for sps is better is not true. SPS want it to be stable whether its 7 or 12. I run my tank at 7.8 - 8 dkh. I would stop the water change and test your alk in a couple days. im no expert but those would be my plans.
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Cool will do thanks

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