First Reef attempt started......

[mthomp]

I dont have the money at the moment to buy another thing of salt online. I am paying for all of my state board stuff for nursing and that aint cheap.

I tested the dKh this morning and it was at 12 so the dosing of mag lowered it some.

Should I dose mag again even though I dont have a mag test kit?

I need some recommendations on Some test kits besides the standard ones that come in the API reef set.

i wouldnt dose anything till you can get a good test for it.

 

[HOBrien]

i wouldnt dose anything till you can get a good test for it.

Do you have a recommendation?

 

[footballdude2k3]

elos and salifert for tests are my favorites, the alk is waaay high still which is going to mess things up, whats your salinity? do you have a refractometer?

 

[trippcsi]

Get the Bulk Reef Supply Calc and mag suppliment kit and start dosing as needed this IMO is the best bang for the buck. For your SPS to start taking off you want your calc at 460-500 and your Mag at 1300-1350ppm. If your calc is at 460 your Mag level is prob at bit on the low side unless you added a suppliment. Test for calc and mag levels every week and add supp's as needed to achieve the right ppm's Most salt mixes are a bit low on these levels. Your specific gravity should be at .0125-.0126 good luck.

 

[HOBrien]

SG: 1.025 by refrac.

so dosing mag and calc right now and that will lower the dKh???

 

[rbnice1]

dont dose anything till you test.

Corals can need mag to use alk and calcium so after you test your mag if its low you will need to add some. I use salfert for everything but mag. For mag I use elos.

Also salfert has been known to have bad alk test kits. get a LFS or a fellow reefer to test your water and verify your alk reading.

As far as salt. Personally I dont think it matters. All salts are lacking in something. You need to test it to find out what. I have used I/O, coralife, reef crystals, other and all work fine. Right now I am on coralife and I know its a little low in mag. So I have to add a bit of magnesium chloride/sulfide to even it out.

 

[HOBrien]

dont dose anything till you test.

Corals can need mag to use alk and calcium so after you test your mag if its low you will need to add some. I use salfert for everything but mag. For mag I use elos.

Also salfert has been known to have bad alk test kits. get a LFS or a fellow reefer to test your water and verify your alk reading.

As far as salt. Personally I dont think it matters. All salts are lacking in something. You need to test it to find out what. I have used I/O, coralife, reef crystals, other and all work fine. Right now I am on coralife and I know its a little low in mag. So I have to add a bit of magnesium chloride/sulfide to even it out.

The only test I currently have is the API Reef Kit. So Elos for a Mag test? I will have to order online as my LFS doesnt carry anything but the main basic test kits from API.

I am doing my weekly water change tonight and will test the new water.

 

[HOBrien]

Here is a pic of the coral in question.

Let me know what you think....