WMAS Discussion Forum : Reef Chemistry

WMAS Discussion Forum : Reef Chemistry http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 14 Jun 2026 05:18:03 +0000 Sun, 06 Dec 2020 16:06:59 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 30 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_topic_feed.asp?FID=29 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : Magnesium Continually High (not dosing)]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=86108&PID=637777&title=magnesium-continually-high-not-dosing#637777 Author: Adam Blundell
Subject: Magnesium Continually High (not dosing)
Posted: December 06 2020 at 4:06pm

Wouldn’t worry about it.

Adam

]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2020 16:06:59 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=86108&PID=637777&title=magnesium-continually-high-not-dosing#637777 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : Magnesium Continually High (not dosing)]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=86108&PID=637776&title=magnesium-continually-high-not-dosing#637776 Author: Deluxe247
Subject: Magnesium Continually High (not dosing)
Posted: December 06 2020 at 3:08pm

A few months ago I completely stopped dosing magnesium in my 90G mixed reef, since I have consistently tested levels over 1600 ppm (I'd like to keep it between 1250-1350). Since cutting off dosing a couple of months ago, I still see levels in the 1600's, and I'm wondering what on earth keeps that level so high. With auto-dosing, calcium stays around 420 ppm, and Alk is a little low at about 7.4 dkh (slowing trying to raise it to between 8-9, as well as get pH up to about 8.2).

My corals are healthy and growing so I assume they're uptaking magnesium, though I don't recall if they typically uptake Mg at the same rate as Ca and Alk. I'm beginning to wonder if there is some other source of Mg in my system. I only do water changes every couple of months so I don't know if it's my salt mix. My RO/DI top off water reads 0 TDS. Is it possible my rocks or sand are leaching Mg into the system? I've hard that oolitic sand and some Lake Bonneville tufa rock can do this, and I do have several inches of the sand in my sump, and a few rocks in the system. But I'm not sure how reliable these theories are, since it seems they have been somewhat convincingly debunked recently (though I can't site any sources - it's just my recollection). Any insight would be most appreciated!

Here's an annotated recent FTS. I've added a few new frags, and haven't labeled all the zoanthids or mushrooms. (Not sure how to get it to display any larger)

Edited by Deluxe247 - December 06 2020 at 3:09pm]]> Sun, 06 Dec 2020 15:08:24 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=86108&PID=637776&title=magnesium-continually-high-not-dosing#637776 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : DYI live rock]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85163&PID=634893&title=dyi-live-rock#634893 Author: Adam Blundell
Subject: DYI live rock
Posted: March 18 2019 at 10:14am

That's tough.

I've made a lot of aragocrete over the years. I too suggest no oyster shell.

I'm not sold on the rock salt. The porosity can be better, but you really risk having it become brittle, especially in thin areas.

I would highly recommend looking at available rock (marco, cerameco, etc) and epoxying them together to make your sculpture.

Making rock is totally fun, but not nearly as practical in usage as buying those rocks to use.

Adam

]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2019 10:14:05 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85163&PID=634893&title=dyi-live-rock#634893 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : DYI live rock]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85163&PID=634891&title=dyi-live-rock#634891 Author: Chocolate Hammer
Subject: DYI live rock
Posted: March 18 2019 at 8:39am

This may not be the right category for this post, but since my question is more chemistry based i decided to post it here.

I've decided to try my hand at do it yourself live rock. Rather than just doing the standard brick method I made a pretty elaborate sculpture an abstract thing with lots of folds and shelves, vaguely Lovecraftain. Anyway I've made a mold of it and I'm getting ready to cast it.

When i started researching this a while back the ingredients for the reef were Aragonite, Portland cement, oystershells, and rock salt[the rock salt is supposed to help with make it more porous]. The guy at the reef store told me that I shouldn't use oysters because they release potassium as they break down.

What should I use for gravel in this 'concrete' mix. Also since some of the "shelves" are probably thinner than they should be I was thing that I should add something to the mix to strengthen it like pvc shavings or such.

So my question to you smart chemistry type people out there is what should I use to make up the "live stone"

Thanks,

Neil.

]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:39:32 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85163&PID=634891&title=dyi-live-rock#634891 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : RO system]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85128&PID=634806&title=ro-system#634806 Author: WhiteReef
Subject: RO system
Posted: March 04 2019 at 11:39am

It all depends on what the TDS (total dissolved solids) reading is. Typically tap water runs over 600. RO/DI is almost always at 0. RO water depends, so it is good to test that out.]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2019 11:39:26 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85128&PID=634806&title=ro-system#634806 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : RO system]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85128&PID=634803&title=ro-system#634803 Author: Yz450f
Subject: RO system
Posted: March 04 2019 at 9:30am

I have seen a lot of people discussing RODI systems, but I was wondering if it is okay to use a RO only system as some people use tap water. I have always used this https://www.hydrologicsystems.com/products/stealthro-200 RO 200 stealth system and I was just wondering if this is adequate enough for saltwater or if it is really a big benefit to buy a rodi system.

Edited by Yz450f - March 04 2019 at 9:37am]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2019 09:30:45 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85128&PID=634803&title=ro-system#634803 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : Tank Test Questions]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=84112&PID=631519&title=tank-test-questions#631519 Author: love2skiutah
Subject: Tank Test Questions
Posted: February 28 2018 at 12:51pm

I bumped my phosphates to .35 and I get much better growth and color on my SPS. Look at Sanjay's 500 gallon reef. I think his reef is the best reef I've ever seen and he's at .4 phosphates and 50ppm nitrates. However, I do not think it's wise to bump up your phosphates and nitrates if you have no control on nutrient export. ]]> Wed, 28 Feb 2018 12:51:07 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=84112&PID=631519&title=tank-test-questions#631519 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : Tank Test Questions]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=84112&PID=631518&title=tank-test-questions#631518 Author: Krazie4Acans
Subject: Tank Test Questions
Posted: February 28 2018 at 12:38pm

That is a high level for Phosphates. The target most try to hit is 0.04ppm.

Make sure you aren't over feeding when you feed. defrost and rinse your mysis in RO water before placing it in the tank. Add other types of Macro to your fuge as each type takes up different amounts of nutrients and may help reduce it more than just one type alone.

]]> Wed, 28 Feb 2018 12:38:15 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=84112&PID=631518&title=tank-test-questions#631518 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : Tank Test Questions]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=84112&PID=631517&title=tank-test-questions#631517 Author: kmtfishchannel
Subject: Tank Test Questions
Posted: February 28 2018 at 12:25pm

I need your opinion on my tank test results:

Tested 2/28

Ammonia: 0ppm (red sea test kit)
Nitrite: 0ppm (red sea test kit)
Nitrate: 0ppm (red sea test kit)
Phosphates : 0.40ppm

I am running Phosguard in my return section of my sump. and have a cheto fuge. Is this a high amount of Phosphate? Any ways to help bring it down beside what I already have running in the tank? Thanks for your opinion!

Fish are fed only 3 times a week; alternating between pellet food and a half cube of Mysis shrimp.

Other Tank Tests Tested all with Red Sea Test Kits:
Cal: 470ppm
Alk: 7.8dkh
Mag: 1600ppm
]]> Wed, 28 Feb 2018 12:25:58 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=84112&PID=631517&title=tank-test-questions#631517 <![CDATA[Reef Chemistry : Phosphate orange result]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=83927&PID=630765&title=phosphate-orange-result#630765 Author: hydro phoenix
Subject: Phosphate orange result
Posted: January 24 2018 at 6:36pm

LOL

]]> Wed, 24 Jan 2018 18:36:13 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=83927&PID=630765&title=phosphate-orange-result#630765