CA ALK MAG QUESTION
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Reef Chemistry
Forum Description: A place to discuss reef chemistry.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66846
Printed Date: December 01 2025 at 11:40pm
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Topic: CA ALK MAG QUESTION
Posted By: laroc
Subject: CA ALK MAG QUESTION
Date Posted: September 30 2013 at 11:17am
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Ok trying to get mag levels between 1300-1400. My CA stay stable 450. ALK is finally up to 11 DKH or 5.5 meq/L been working on this for couple weeks. Mag is not going up. It stays 1115 ( i know low) at best can get it to 1200 . So my question should I make sure that ALK will stablize ( keep ALK within range). Then try to raise Mag. Thinking about going to Randy's method using seachem right now. All products are in powder form. Dont really use the Ca additive due salt has high Ca. Tank is 3g pico w/ 10g sump Sal 1.024 Ca 450 Alk 5.5 meq/L mg 1115 test taking 9/29/13 ------------- Always be leery of a fish farmer...wait or is it a pig farmer? |
Replies:
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 30 2013 at 11:57am
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I can understand your concern. If I were in your shoes, the first question I would be asking myself is "Why?" Why do I believe I must raise Mg. Is something wrong with the tank? Are coral or Coralline algae doing poorly? Your original Alk level, which I would assume was at least 8 dKH and probably around 9 dKH (3.2 meq/l) was good. Second question I would ask myself: What was the reason for pushing it up to 11 dKH? My opinion: Typically, if coral are opening up with Alk 8-12 dKH, Ca 350-500 and Mg 1200-1400, I would say that all is well. We can cause more problems by trying to mess with the chemistry of our aquarium, than by letting it have it's own balance, with supplements to keep up the minimums, of course. Think of your tank as an individual and Alk, Ca and Mg as food. Not every tank needs the same amount of food and too much food can make an individual unhealthy. Aloha, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: laroc
Date Posted: September 30 2013 at 2:39pm
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Just the guy I want to talk. Coral are doing fine. However I have a duncan two of the heads were not opening due low levels of Alk (levels where 5 dkh). Doing fine now all but I have a chalice or montipora that the flesh has been receding (thought it was the hermits) and has not really grown but maybe it was the low levels of Alk.This is the reason for trying to raise Mag.It has been putting the flesh back on since the Alk levels are up. Alk is a little high added a little to much still trying to dial in the dose. So i will let things work themselves out and keep a eye on Alk. Also wondering if you still have any Utah rock? Would love to talk shop one of these weekends. Thanks so much for your help. ------------- Always be leery of a fish farmer...wait or is it a pig farmer? |
Posted By: Molli
Date Posted: September 30 2013 at 3:14pm
| Just as an FYI, there are salts on the market that would also keep your mag levels where you want them. |
Posted By: Softplan
Date Posted: September 30 2013 at 7:53pm
| I try to keep my alk around 9 and calcium around 400. I have read that you want magnesium to be around 3 times the magnesium. My magnesium is around 1400. Magnesium is a buffer to make it so the calcium and alk doesn't bond and precipitate out of the water. I would be worried about keeping the levels that high that you lose some of them by precipitating. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: October 01 2013 at 7:31am
Ahh, I see. Yes, Alkalinity at 5 dKH was low enough to cause problems. In my early
days, around 1996, I allowed Alk to fall slowly over 8 months to 3 dKH. I was
experimenting with doing no water changes and I knew nothing about
testing for Alk and Ca (until the end of the experiment  ). Those were the days when hobbyists knew very little about Alk and Ca.
In my all soft coral tank, pictured below, coral stopped growing. I even
traded in my cherished beautiful 4 year old Six-Line Wrasse before I
realized he was not the reason for disappearing Hermits.  I'm happy to read that coral are doing better. Well, 11 dKH is not too high. 16 would be too high. Just out of curiosity, how many days to raise Alk from 5 to 11? Aloha, Mark  75 gal left side view  Right side  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: laroc
Date Posted: October 01 2013 at 1:45pm
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Thanks again to all. Molli - I've been thinking of upgrading the salt . Softplan- this was one of the concern to why I was trying to raise the Mag levels. I see some of residue on the heater Mark - Alk I did this over a couple of days (4) . I know that raising the alk to fast can cause problems.Is that where you going? Awesome pictures. Six line I really want one but I'm trying to be patient. Plus reefon has a bunch right now. ------------- Always be leery of a fish farmer...wait or is it a pig farmer? |