Dropping Magnesium?

[djtodd]

Previously on other tanks I just did a weekly WC and didn't really test anything. On my current tank I spent the money and bought ALK/TRATE/CALC and MAG tests.

Now I know that coralline will consume Calcium and Alk, but I find that even with bi-weekly 10% WCs, and Using saturated Kalk (2tsp/G) in the auto topoff, I can't seem to keep up. Especially with Magnesium.

I've been testing my parameters weekly and keeping a log, and I seem to have gone from 1350 MAG to about 1050. Bumped it up a bit with some ESV Magnesium. ALK stays pretty stable at 7.7dKH though I do add Reef Builder weekly. Calcium is also being used, but I'm right out of Calcium supplement to bump it up at the moment.

My question is, what uses Magnesium? I have an LPS/Soft dominated tank.

 

[djtodd]

Ah. Read this:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

and it makes more sense. Kalk will add CA and ALK but not MAG.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

You might also check your salt mix. Some run low and if so, water changes can bring it down.

You can use MAG Flake deicer to raise magnesium on the cheap.