chemistry problems

[DrBDC]

It depends on what the IO tests at. Is it the Reef Crystals version? I believe it is higher in mag than the standard IO is. I have to bump my IO by about 150 ppm. But whatever it is, a 50% water change only gets you half way between the two. Another 50% gets you 75%. So water changes can take awhile to do it.

What is your total system volume. I have some MgCl and might be able to help you out.

 

[geoxman]

190gl total water volume and it is the RC version

 

[DrBDC]

The new water should be fine with mag although I've never used reefcrystals I "assume" (and you know what that can do) that the mag and ca are higher than in the standard IO label. Have you tested the mag level of the RC and what did it read?

 

[geoxman]

RC is at 1400 ppm
CA back up to 380
DKH 12
Mag 1190 ppm, I will dump the rest in tomorrow

 

[DrBDC]

Since that is slightly above NSW but in the good zone still I'd bump manually as well as water changes. Just water changes it would take 50% to get to 1250, another 50% will give you 1325, and another 50% to get 1362.5 which is a good spot. But that's a lot of water changing. And that would only be if you did it right after each other due to consumption by the tank if you space it out so it may take another one as well. I'd bump it manually to 1300 along with a couple 25% changes over a week. Then just stay on top of some good 15% changes every week or two. Check that mag at least once a month or so after that.

 

[DrBDC]

Oops, I didnt' read that you were to 1190 but same basic idea just remove 1 water change from the original hypothesis. The manual bumping to 1300 is still probably best along with a good water change.

 

[geoxman]

Thanks Doc. I bunmped it up manually with the epsom salts. I will dump the rest in tomorrow and do a h20 change as well

 

[astrea]

Phil,
How do you maintain your Alk and Cal? If you are using kalk it preciptates magnisium out of the water column. I went through the same thing last month and I found the best solution is ESV's liquid magnesium its ionically balanced. Going forward I have added Zeos magnesium pellets to the calcium reactor to maintain it. Just my $.02 HTH

 

[geoxman]

I do not use kalk and I am trying to sell my CA reactor. I add Reef advantage 1-maybe two times per week, Reef builder once maybe twice a week. I am all soft and my system uses very little calcium and the alk seems to maintain normal levels. I am thinking about lowering both levels to kill the coraline, I hate that stuff!!!!!!!!! Which sewer plant are you working out of?

 

[DrBDC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7183118#post7183118 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by astrea
Phil,
How do you maintain your Alk and Cal? If you are using kalk it preciptates magnisium out of the water column. I went through the same thing last month and I found the best solution is ESV's liquid magnesium its ionically balanced. Going forward I have added Zeos magnesium pellets to the calcium reactor to maintain it. Just my $.02 HTH

Kalk doesn't remove or precipitate magnesium to any measurable extent. What happens is as the calcium and carbonate parts are used in calcification by organisms, so is magnesium which is not in any appreciable amounts in kalk. Thus it needs to be supplemented. But that's a good thing because if the magnesium lowers, you're growing corals (or more of that coralline on the front glass!). :lol: