Calcium 360, Alk 8, Mag 1140......

[cm11599ps]

I've got a 55 with about another 22 in my sump/fuge for about 77 gallons. Tanks been up for about 2.5 months now and I'm using IO salt.

When using an API kit my readings were pretty consistent with Calcium at 360, Alk 8 and Mag 1140. Mag test is Salifert. I do automatic water changes of about a gallon per day. I thought my calcium test was bad since the numbers seemed so off so I went and got a Salifert and it confirms my API kit. I have not dosed a thing but I do have a 2 part system from BRS. My numbers seem WAY OFF from what IO should be mixing at.

Current corals are;

1) Orange digitata about 1.5"
2) Purple digitata about 3/4"
3) Purple rim green monti, thumbnail size
4) Hairy green mushroom rock, about 15 heads
5) Green palys, about 12 heads
6) Frogspawn, about 3" when fully stretched

Those were all added about 4 weeks ago.

In the past week I also added

7) Red/blue acan frag, 3 heads
8) Sun coral 20 heads
9) Toadstool leather, 4"
10) Open Brain 3"


I haven't set up the dosing yet because I'm in the process of fixing up the fish room area and painting it so I didn't want to do anything yet. I do have dosing pumps, an apex and already have the lines running from the fish room to the sump so it'll be pretty easy to set the dosing system up when I'm ready.

What should be my next step? I'm assuming bring the mag up

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That calcium level is normal for IO salt, so the reading does not surprise me. I'd boost it to about 420 ppm with calcium chloride.

I'd boost the magnesium to about 1300 ppm with a DIY or commercial magnesium supplement.

 

[cm11599ps]

That calcium level is normal for IO salt, so the reading does not surprise me. I'd boost it to about 420 ppm with calcium chloride.

I'd boost the magnesium to about 1300 ppm with a DIY or commercial magnesium supplement.

The sticky here says IO should be 400, 11, 1350. I seem to have 360, 8 1140.

Should I boost one level before doing another? With my numbers being consistent I guess I wouldn't need to even hook up my dosing pumps until things start growing. Sound good?

 

[bertoni]

I think the new IO is a bit higher than 360 ppm, at least normally, but we do see some fluctuation. I wonder whether you have some of the older formula. It'd match your numbers. Other possibilities include SG measurement issues, or a salt container that needs a good mixing.

 

[cm11599ps]

I just finished the bucket and am now using a box of io. I simply poured a bag into the old bucket but haven't tested anything yet.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Not only is there batch to batch variation and inhomogeneity within a bucket, but IMO much of the "variation" that folks see is probably testing variability. It is often only when folks use two different brand kits on the same water do they realize that.

 

[cm11599ps]

Which numbers should I boost first?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It doesn't really matter, but there's never a reason to not start with magnesium.

 

[cm11599ps]

Thanks guys. I just have some more questions before getting this started.

The readings of 360, 8 and 1140 have stayed pretty consistent for me in the 2.5 months my tank has been running. Throughout that time I have been using the same bucket of IO salt. I have 2 Brute cans in my garage. One for top off, the other for new salt mix. This gives me an ATO system and an auto water change system since I have a drain pump in my sump. At 4pm everyday my drain pump activates and pumps about a gallon of water out of my sump and then pumps a gallon of new salt water into my sump. Total water volume is around 77 gallons. This past week I finished my IO bucket and am now using a box of IO so all the new salt water going into the tank is from the new box. I have not tested that water yet.

I have the 2part system from BRS and I have 2 dosing pumps I am going to use via an APEX. One for ALK, the other for calcium. Since I'm using an auto water change system can I simply dump the required amount of magnesium into my new salt mix can. FWIW, I need to make a new batch of SW about every 10-14 days.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, you can put magnesium into new salt water or top off water. I boost my IO with a little calcium chloride (~70 ppm) and magnesium chloride (~150 ppm).

 

[cm11599ps]

Yes, you can put magnesium into new salt water or top off water. I boost my IO with a little calcium chloride (~70 ppm) and magnesium chloride (~150 ppm).

Does it matter if I add it to either the top off or new salt mix? Does magnesium evaporate or does it get left behind like salt does? If it doesnt' evaporate then I assume it would be better to add it to the new salt mix.

 

[bertoni]

Magnesium gets left behind. It's probably easy to add it to the new salt mix, since it'll stay fully dissolved that way. Some of the supplement might precipitate in freshwater, and would then require some shaking to get it into the tank.

 

[cm11599ps]

I just mixed up some of the 2part stuff from BRS and will begin adding it tomorrow.

 

[cm11599ps]

I'm using the 2part system from BRS. By using their online calculator it looks as if I will have to spread my dosing over the course of 2 days. I just added mag and am about to add the calcium. Alk tonight if needed.

I do have two dosing pumps that I plan to use for the ALK and calcium. I would prefer to make larger batches at one time so I don't have to make this stuff as often. Is it possible to simply use some 5 gallon buckets to hold each solution? Will that work in the long run or will the stuff start to come out of suspension in the water in the buckets and drop to the bottom?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You can make as large of a batch as you want. It will last forever unless the alk part gets very cold, in which case warming it back up will redissolve it.

 

[cm11599ps]

Would I need a powerhead to keep it in suspension?

 

[borcu]

It doesn't really matter, but there's never a reason to not start with magnesium.

isn't adding mag bottom out alk and ca if mag level is low? do we need to add kh, ca and mg? is adding mag lowers kh and ca?

 

[bertoni]

Adding magnesium in reasonable quantities is fine at any time. The supplement won't cause precipitation. Magnesium acts to reduce precipitation.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Would I need a powerhead to keep it in suspension?

No, it should not need any additional mixing once dissolved.