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Post by ssaalm1974 on Jul 23, 2013 17:47:49 GMT -5
I have not added any chemicals but my calcium and magnesium are quite elevated. What might cause this?
45 gallon tall with sump/overflow
About 50 lbs live rock (adding as I go).
Just removed bioballs from sump.
5 month old tank
Other tests all normal, nitrates 10
Any suggestions?
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Post by scoobnoob on Jul 23, 2013 17:50:46 GMT -5
What were the levels before? What are the levels now? Brand of Salt? I know from experience the Kent Reef salt is really high in ca and mg
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Post by industry on Jul 23, 2013 17:52:30 GMT -5
Which test kits? Can you get someone local with a different brand of kit to test and see if they are close? How elevated are we talking here?
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Post by ssaalm1974 on Jul 23, 2013 18:03:41 GMT -5
Tests are being done at local marine supplier. Calcium 550 and magnesium 500ish.
Unsure of kit used.
3 10% water changes later, not much improvement but my galaxia is doing better.
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Post by ssaalm1974 on Jul 23, 2013 18:04:32 GMT -5
Water changes over 2 weeks.
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Post by scoobnoob on Jul 23, 2013 18:37:41 GMT -5
Mag should be between 1300-1400
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Post by scoobnoob on Jul 23, 2013 18:40:26 GMT -5
What salt are you using? I would test your mix water if the ca is 550 or greater water changes won't bring it down.
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Post by ssaalm1974 on Jul 23, 2013 18:52:56 GMT -5
Instant ocean reef crystals. Prior to that (3 water changes ago), was using oceanic. I was told at the mark e store that certain salts may sit/shift in transport or storage and cause settling of the materials. I have changed salts because of this possibility.
With the water changes and new salt you would think that there would be some improvement. What else can I try?
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Post by ssaalm1974 on Jul 23, 2013 18:54:42 GMT -5
Mag between 1300-1400? Even with corals?
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Post by Jordan Emery on Jul 23, 2013 19:15:21 GMT -5
Yes your corals need the magnesium to break down and utilize the Ca  |
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Post by scoobnoob on Jul 23, 2013 19:18:01 GMT -5
I imagine that the elevated ca levels are normal within reef crystals, it's taking into account a tank that uses a lot of ca and is primary sps. Just a random link via google below to show various params. Magnesium stops Calcium from bonding with alk and precipitating out of your water. See the recommended ranges in the link below. Your Ca is high becuase of the salt your using, if you want to lower it I'd recommend getting some regular instant ocean and mixing at a 2 to 3 ratio to bring it down this will create water at about 450 ca (not promising this exact number but it'll be close) I usually have to supplement my instant ocean with Mag becuase mine tests at about 1250 freshly mixed. I doubt your test of 500 for mag is accurate and would question it, I would also potentially question the other tests if this one is that far off but I find it believable with the salt your using. www.melevsreef.com/parms.html |
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