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Phosphates and magnesium
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phys View Drop Down
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    Posted: April 04 2011 at 5:34am
Hey all,
I'm wondering what are acceptable levels of phosphates to have before they start becoming a big issue.
Also, what are some good testers for magnesium and idodine?
 
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21436 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 04 2011 at 11:34am
Phosphate(PO4) is rarely high enough to cause a problem. Some hobbyists worry too much about PO4.
Algae eats PO4 so if the system has good algae growth and harvesting there is no need to worry.

Same with I. 10% monthly water changes cover the need for most tanks. I don't even test for I. I just add a little every once in a while in the coral farm, especially if Xenia slow their pulsing or Zoas seem to be opening less wide.

BTW, it was nice to meet you and talk at Fish-4-U the other day.


Edited by Mark Peterson - April 04 2011 at 11:36am
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phys View Drop Down
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Points: 1982 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote phys Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 04 2011 at 5:21pm
Thanks for the info. So my weekly to bi-weekly water changes should take care of both those issues.
 
Yea, it was great talking with you. I'll have to take you up on the offer to visit your tanks sometime.
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Ryan Thompson View Drop Down
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Depending on what corals you have, water changes will not keep up with magnesium most of the time.

I would say that 95% of the salts out there lack in magnesium to begin with. If your tank was at 1350ppm and your water change water is at 1400, it would take a 100% water change to even raise the magnesium 50ppm.

A 10% weekly change will more than likely not keep up with your tanks' demands. It certainly didn't keep up with mine when my magnesium dipped down to the 900 range! Let me tell you that corals don't like magnesium that low.

I like to keep mag up around 1350-1400 and there are like 2 salts that I have found that even have that high of magnesium.

Just a heads up!

PS - I plan to come up with my wife to the observatory one of these Wednesdays when it isn't 25F outside!
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I have to agree w/ Ryan on this one. I use H2Ocean mag plus salt. It's the highest mag salt I've been able to find. 
Steve
My Old 180G Mixed Reef
Currently:
120G Wavefront Mixed
29G Seahorse & Softies
Running ReefAngel Plus x2
435-8
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dc View Drop Down
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i cant agree more with ryan and mark!! i also use h2ocean salt. it is the best thing i have ever done for my tank!!! 10% water changes??? maybe for softies. did you know you can get H2Ocean pre-mixed?
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i also think seachems salinity is a very good salt also.
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jwoo View Drop Down
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If you do dose mag make sure you get a dry additive and not a wet one. Mag can be a beast to raise if it's really low and you'll run through a bottle of liquid and not have it raised to where you need.
None at the moment
Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront
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dc View Drop Down
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that is what i have heard. good to know. i need to start testing and adding mag!
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dc View Drop Down
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also watch if you use wet ones be sure it is just mag and not mixed with strontium(i think thats the stuff) its pretty easy to over do it.
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phys View Drop Down
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thanks for all the info. does anybody have a good suggestion for testing materials?
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CapnMorgan View Drop Down
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Points: 3537 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CapnMorgan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 05 2011 at 12:02am
I love Elos test kits. They are very accurate but do cost a bit more. If you're looking for good md-grade kits look at API or SeaChem.
Steve
My Old 180G Mixed Reef
Currently:
120G Wavefront Mixed
29G Seahorse & Softies
Running ReefAngel Plus x2
435-8
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