chemistry problems

[geoxman]

For the past week I have been batteling low calcium 330-350ppm and no matter how often I dose/overdose(reef advantage calcium) it wont get above that level. dkh is 11 to 12, ph is 8.2. The first thought would be a bad test kit-but I had CPE check again and they get the same on all 3 tests. I dont really have many corals that require higher CA levels but I have never been this low. I tested the Reef Crystals salt and it is fine?? Any advice on this would be great! I also added some Kents Tech M hoping that would help but it has not. I did do a 15% water change Sunday but still got low CA readings---Salifert and Seachem test kits BTW
TIA

 

[jwalters103]

water ionically out of balance maybe? if thats the case, the solution is a LARGE water change (50%) or series of smaller ones over the course of a week or so. did the Ca raise any after your water change and if so, how much

 

[geoxman]

5-10 ppm

 

[DrBDC]

What is the magnesium level?

 

[DrBDC]

The reason I'm asking the actual level is a 16oz bottle of Kent marine TechM will only raise the magnesium about 90 ppm on 100 gallons. Many will find that with ca/alk imbalances that the mag has dropped a few hundred if not up to 500 below NSW. So that little bit of magnesium doesn't help much.

 

[ol'saltybastage]

the next time i go thru KC i'm going to pick up some mag flakes.. i'll post when that happens and take orders for everyone.. jusy FYI.. not a solution to this issue at the moment.

 

[geoxman]

OK checked the mag level and it is at 990ppm I added the whole bottle of tech m-so it will be about 1120 ppm. What should I do now? What is the homade way to bump it up? I wonder if I bring it up-will my CA go through the roof because I have added so much lately? TIA

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

epson salt is a homemade recipe to raise mag .

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

But you need to do it slow .

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

Here a link to everything you need to know about mag and how to raise it and a homemade recipe for it .

DST
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

 

[chadfarmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7170948#post7170948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geoxman
OK checked the mag level and it is at 990ppm I added the whole bottle of tech m-so it will be about 1120 ppm. What should I do now? What is the homade way to bump it up? I wonder if I bring it up-will my CA go through the roof because I have added so much lately? TIA

take it slow

 

[geoxman]

Hey thanks dark I also found that article but when I read that it reads like; blah blah blah blah co2 blah magnesium blah blah CA blah blah blah skeleton blah blah chemistry blah blah blah Randy blah blah Porites blah etc... I only have a public school education and went to MU and what brain cells I did not kill from too many party nights there, I have fried in the past 15 years, so my chemistry knowledge is limited at best. All I need to know is how much I should add per day in a system with 190gl water to get it up to where it is suppose to be. I am also going to test the RC/IO salt because I never had this problem with CL salt and I switched a month or so ago. TIA

 

[DrBDC]

Keep the increase to about 100 per day. I've done more faster but it's not recommended.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7171642#post7171642 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geoxman
Hey thanks dark I also found that article but when I read that it reads like; blah blah blah blah co2 blah magnesium blah blah CA blah blah blah skeleton blah blah chemistry blah blah blah Randy blah blah Porites blah etc... I only have a public school education and went to MU and what brain cells I did not kill from too many party nights there, I have fried in the past 15 years, so my chemistry knowledge is limited at best. All I need to know is how much I should add per day in a system with 190gl water to get it up to where it is suppose to be. I am also going to test the RC/IO salt because I never had this problem with CL salt and I switched a month or so ago. TIA

Use this calculator to help you in the amounts you need to add.
Just enter the water volume of your system, the reading you have, the reading you want to have. Select the supplement you want to use and it will tell you how much to add.
Separate the dose in two or three applications separated 24 hours apart and you are good to go.
If you are using Epsom salts I would recommend a 10% water change in between additions to re-balance the ions as that much will increase the sulfate ions also.
The calcium you already added is already precipitated, gone, zip, turned into calcium carbonate already so it will not be affected by the addition of Magnesium. One you are done adjusting magnesium then adjust your Calcium using the same procedure.
Note that Reef Advantage Calcium (dry) also rises magnesium a little bit so target your Magnesium at around 1250 so when adjusting the calcium magnesium may go up to 1260 or 1280. Do not use Seachem's Reef Calcium (liquid) for large adjustments as it contains gluconates that in excess will create issues.
Let me know if you need help using the calculator.

http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chem_calc3.html

Enjoy!

jdieck

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

The first time I read it it was like bah bah bah ..... Then I Iread it again and it was a little easier to understand . I know the recipe was on there . I hope it helps


Take it slow is right

Thanks jdieck you explained it better that I could have .

DST

 

[geoxman]

Thanks much jdiek! Dark you are much smarter than I am, that is why it only took you two times.

 

[dela]

Where do you buy epsom salts?

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

I buy mine from walgreens

 

[geoxman]

This seems like I will/might have problems in the long run. I think I just might do an 80gl water change. The RC/IO salt tests ok. Does anyone think there will be problems with mag after the big h20 change?

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

whats the level in the salt that your adding ?