Just Tested for Mag and Cal

[jonto]

I tested for Mag and Cal tonight for the first time. Using a Salifert test the results were low at:

Calcium ........ 330
Magnesium ... 1150

Should I worry about this or wait until I get ready to add some corals?

I'm pretty much through my 2nd Diatom outbreak and no green algae.
There is still a slight cloudiness in the water column that is whiteish in color. All the stock seems to be doing fine. The Solomon, Zoanthus spp seems to be doing ok as well as the Anemone are doing good also.

My tank stats can be found at:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2660713

 

[thegrun]

Until you have stony corals I wouldn't worry about it. You do want your alkalinity to be in range.

 

[lapin]

Normal water changes should keep you in line at this stage.

 

[mcgyvr]

What salt mix are you using?
Whats the cal/mag/alk of your freshly mixed (new) saltwater?

 

[RobZilla04]

Four months in, regular water changes will work as already mentioned. Check the salt brand with the mix parameters. Commonly listed salts are here: http://www.thatpetplace.com/salt-mix-guide

Or you could always test your NSW mix yourself. Also ensure the salinity is correct before conducting any tests. Lower or higher than 1.024-26 will lower/higher Cal, Alk, & Mag results.

To answer your question though, no you do not need to immediately correct. However, it's not bad to get in the habit of stability early on.

 

[crawlerman]

I would correct it now. The low magnesium will keep you from getting everything balanced. Better to learn how to balance the big 3 before you add corals that need balance. Plus it is easier keeping proper/steady level of the big 3 (alk, calcium, mag) once you have them balanced.

 

[VoltzNSalt]

I would correct it now. The low magnesium will keep you from getting everything balanced. Better to learn how to balance the big 3 before you add corals that need balance. Plus it is easier keeping proper/steady level of the big 3 (alk, calcium, mag) once you have them balanced.

That is the tack that I am taking. Got my big 3 dosing dialed in and steady before adding any corals...

 

[nereefpat]

Now hold on.

Your link says that the salinity is 1.023. I would top off with saltwater until specific gravity is 1.026. That will bring up Mg and Ca.

BTW, if you are using a hydrometer that hasn't had its offset checked, or if your refractometer isn't properly calibrated, s.g. could be off.

Fix the salinity. Then, if needed, raise Mg, then alk and Ca.

 

[RobZilla04]

Now hold on.

Your link says that the salinity is 1.023. I would top off with saltwater until specific gravity is 1.026. That will bring up Mg and Ca.

BTW, if you are using a hydrometer that hasn't had its offset checked, or if your refractometer isn't properly calibrated, s.g. could be off.

Fix the salinity. Then, if needed, raise Mg, then alk and Ca.

Good catch. This ^

 

[nereefpat]

Good catch. This ^

You caught it first.

Also ensure the salinity is correct before conducting any tests. Lower or higher than 1.024-26 will lower/higher Cal, Alk, & Mag results.

I suspect low salinity when alk, mg, and ca are all low.

 

[sde1500]

Bring salinity up for sure. Also, you shouldn't need dosing if you don't have many corals (I say many because you mention zoanthus, they are corals). And a friendly suggestion, when asking for help, don't make people go to other threads to find your data, I know you linked it, but just give it so us here.

 

[Papermonkeys]

I had a question on Calc if anyone can chime in. I've tested my calc 3 times so far since I've set up my tank (not super worried since I only have a few small frags right now) but it has been 500-520 every time (tested with API kit using redsea vials because the API vial kept leaking when I was shaking)

Should I be worried? I know calc is usually wanted around the 400-420 range. I use FRITZ pro and do weekly ~5g WCs in a ~65 gallon total volume tank. Thanks in advance, was always curious if it was too high

 

[sde1500]

I had a question on Calc if anyone can chime in. I've tested my calc 3 times so far since I've set up my tank (not super worried since I only have a few small frags right now) but it has been 500-520 every time (tested with API kit using redsea vials because the API vial kept leaking when I was shaking)

Should I be worried? I know calc is usually wanted around the 400-420 range. I use FRITZ pro and do weekly ~5g WCs in a ~65 gallon total volume tank. Thanks in advance, was always curious if it was too high

It is a little high but not too high. What is the Calc of freshly mixed water you are adding?

 

[mcgyvr]

I had a question on Calc if anyone can chime in. I've tested my calc 3 times so far since I've set up my tank (not super worried since I only have a few small frags right now) but it has been 500-520 every time (tested with API kit using redsea vials because the API vial kept leaking when I was shaking)

Should I be worried? I know calc is usually wanted around the 400-420 range. I use FRITZ pro and do weekly ~5g WCs in a ~65 gallon total volume tank. Thanks in advance, was always curious if it was too high

Per the Fritz website their salt should measure between 400-450ppm for new saltwater mixed to 35ppt/1.026 salinity..

Now measure your freshly mixed salt for both cal and salinity and then if its not matching that then "something" is off and you should get a second opinion on your test results (local fish store can test for you,etc..)

 

[Papermonkeys]

Thanks I was planning on doing a water change tonight. I usually mix to 1.025, but I'll mix it to 1.026 to get an accurate test sample from the mixed water. I probably don't have time to test the water tonight though if I pull a sample will it be fine in a vial until tomorrow?

I'll also have an LFS double check my numbers on Ca. On a slightly related note I have enough BRS points for a hanna checker (eventually wanna get a few as I'm colorblind and most of the tests are fairly hard for me to read without someone helpin) any ideas on solid ones to get? I currently have the ReaSea kit with alk, ph, trat, trit, ammonia, and the previously mentioned API calc. I was thinking about possibly a phosphate checker because I don't have a test for it yet, or alk tester because I dislike the titration test haha.

Thanks again for the pointers!