Jestersix

Water parameters- Mg from 1300 to 1100

newfly

newfly

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Well, looks like my coral is showing some growth, and start consuming Alk,Ca and Mg. I did not expect to get to this stage that soon.
I started manually dosing Ca and Alk (CarboCalcium). I have been lax in measuring all parameters and only keeping a close eye on Alk and Ca.

Mg is 1100 ; was 1300 3 weeks ago. I measure twice to make sure it is needed 1100. Salifert test kit. Could this be test kit error?
Ca - 400 ( varies from 400-420) Salifert
Alk - 8.8 ( varies from 8.0-8.9 ) Hanna
Phosphate = 0 ( was 0.02 3 weeks ago) Hanna

I guess i have to setup a doser.

Should i increase Mg from 1100 to 1300 in one shot, then only measure the daily consumption to calibrate the doser?
 
That is a surprising Mg drop, unless you made large water changes.

Not that many people have Mg dosers.

Yes, fix Mg first, since it affects Ca/Alk consumption.
 
Always better to move number slower rather than faster. I would move it over the course of 4 days or so. Kamoer I think is making the favorite standalone dosing pump, but if you think you want to start dosing, there are lots of choices with combined units. I agree, that is a moderate swing, but my salifert test I only trust to +/- 200 ish.

Edit: After re-reading, I would bet your salt is low on mag. I use IO reef crystals, and have the same effect, so I dose mag.
 
Last edited:
rygh said:
That is a surprising Mg drop, unless you made large water changes.

Not that many people have Mg dosers.

Yes, fix Mg first, since it affects Ca/Alk consumption.
Click to expand...
good point. I have been doing 2x weekly 10% water change. I did not measure the parameters in the new water. I also switch salt from TP Classic to Fritz. I will check the Fritz parameters. If the new water have low Mg, this will explain the situation.
 
newfly said:
good point. I have been doing 2x weekly 10% water change. I did not measure the parameters in the new water. I also switch salt from TP Classic to Fritz. I will check the Fritz parameters. If the new water have low Mg, this will explain the situation.
Click to expand...
2x water changes every week, or 1x water change every 2 weeks?

@1.035SG, Fritz Blue mixes at:
Calcium: 400-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm
Alkalinity: 8.0-9.0 dKH
Strontium: 9 ppm
Potassium: 400 ppm
 
thesassyindian said:
2x water changes every week, or 1x water change every 2 weeks?

@1.035SG, Fritz Blue mixes at:
Calcium: 400-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm
Alkalinity: 8.0-9.0 dKH
Strontium: 9 ppm
Potassium: 400 ppm
Click to expand...

2 x water change every week (Thursday and Sunday).

I have RODI line and drain plumb to under the tank. Water change is easy.
 
Folks, i think its user error. I measure the new saltwater mixing since this morning and Mag is within range at 1350 . Re-measure the DT again and now its showing ~1300.

Maybe i messed up the initial 2 measurements. Noob mistake.
 
Great.

A 10% water change twice a week is great.
Since that stabilizes parameters so well, exact doser settings will not matter very much.
 
rygh said:
Great.

A 10% water change twice a week is great.
Since that stabilizes parameters so well, exact doser settings will not matter very much.
Click to expand...

That’s the idea. Water change is easy and cheap with my setup. I do the usual maintenance, clean glass and water change in 10mins max (excluding the mixing the day prior) twice a week. Filter pad and skimmer get daily maintenance.
 
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