Magnesium issues

sirrealism

sirrealism

New member
My tanks have been doing ok but very little growth. I have been trying to find out why. My 40b with my prize corals started to get some black hair algae. not a lot but some. My P04 is .03 and N03 is 1.1 Not perfect but should not be growing HA. I have been fighting to keep my alk up. Keeps droping down to 4.5. My cal is 420. I have tryed a couple diff salts and mostly used Red sea. I was using RSCP and am going back to it But I ran out and had to use Reef crystals because my LFS was out of any red sea. So i have been reading everything I can about my issues and some one asked me what my mag was? HMMM I havent tested that in many months. In all my years of reefing I have never had to add Mag. Just do water changes. So I tested. My mag was under 1000 in my 40b with my best corals. In my 3 others it was 1100 or less. I had a bottle of brightwell mag and started dosing. went through that in a day. went to my LFS to get something stronger. The only thing they had was called Continuum Reef basis Magnesium. Its powder form and has both mag sulfate and mag chloride. Its .66lbs So I started making solutions as per instructions. 1/2 teaspon for 8oz ro water per 20g. add everyother day until desired mag level is reached. I did this every day to help get my numbers closer since I have read several times that its ok to raise mag 50-100 ppm per day. Well 8 days later and my mag on the 40b is 1100 and my other tanks are 1150. I am out of product. I was thinking maybe my test kit is bad. Its red sea mag test but it could happen. i tested new salt water and its 1380 so no test kits fine. I did some more reading and searched low mag on RC and found Roger had the same issue back when he had the chloramine issues. I texted him to ask what he used to get his numbers back up but he has a calcium reactor and uses a product added to his reactor. He told me to order the 2 part system from BRS. I looked they are sold out of one of them. So I looked at red sea mag from BRS and they are sold out of that 2.
So the question is. Has anyone else ever have large drops in mag before?
What product would you use to get it back up. Water changes does not do it. Both me and Roger were changing large % of water and often.
Roger has a thought that dosing amino acids may be causing it. Which might be right on since I started dosing amino acids once a week about 6 months ago. Any thoughts on this?
 
I am currently raising my mag after seeing a decrease in growth. I test and it was 860! So I did some research and decided on SeaChems product. I have spread out the dosing about 5 days apart put with my third dose I am at 1050. I am happy with that.
 
About a year ago I had to bring up my mag on my 210 from 1000. I used kent Tech m. It was cheap and got mag up with in 3 days.
 
what type of salt mix do you use? most people don't know this but doing water change will reduce the MG level since most salt mixes have lowered than what you need.
 
I use a diy 2part from Randy Holmes, 3cups Epsom salt from Walmart and 5cups magnesium chloride from BRS per gallon, I dose about 75ml daily with a bubble magus Doser. You can use only magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt, but you may have sulfer build up and need to do higher water changes. Epsom salt is like $10 at Walmart and should be enough for 2+ gallons, make sure to get USP grade and without any perfumes or fillers.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/
 
Thanks pedro. The mag chloride is what BRS is out of. When it comes back in stock I will buy it. I will buy both they are cheap.
I use red sea coral pro. Mag levels in that salt are Mg 1280 - 1340 mg/l.
Glad to know I am not the only one who has gone through this
 
I tested mine on my 90g a few days ago and it was low as well (1240ppm). I mixed up a gallon of BRS solution with the chloride and sulfate. Dosed 300mL the next morning, 300ml the same evening and 300mL the next evening and it tested at 1360ppm. I have what's left from the gallon, roughly 2500ml, ready to go. If your in a bind and need some quick I could part with half of what I have readily available. Keep in mind that the solution was mixed per BRS suggestion for a system with a Calcium Reactor.

Watch the second video:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-bulk-magnesium-chloride-aquarium-supplement.html
 
Thanks. I went to Elite Corals and got some Red sea reef foundation powder. 2.2lbs. when BRS has mag in stock again I will by it. If they have not gotten it by the time of the next meeting I might take you up on the offer.
 
Triallanderror. I dont use mangroves. I did many years ago but found the positives about mangroves where not enough to outway removing them from the wild. In my opinion leave the mangroves alone. I did not notice much nutrient removal with them. There are better ways. Sorry to anyone who keep them. I just dont think we should in the hobby
 
robthorn said:
1240 is not low magnesium by the way. At least not by enough to mention.
Click to expand...


IMO, anything outside your consistent value is high or low. 1240 isn't low if that's what you keep it at but being 1350 for 8 months and then suddenly dropping to 1240 is more than enough reason to react. But that's really beside the point. My offer was the real reason I posted.
 
Yeah if the alk is that low (assuming 4.5 dkh) the magnesium will not test correctly no matter how much he puts in the tank. Been a while but I think this is.the way I remember it. You both have different issues in my had at least. You added a little and your mag raised right up. He has added a mess of supplements with no results. More mag at this point is a waste of money for.him in my opinion.
 
I am looking to get it back to 1310. I have been adding alk at the same time. I got my alk up to 8.4 but mag is still down. Not as bad but 1150 last night. So the idea that my alk is affecting my mag is not the issue. I am pretty sure it works the opposite. If you dont have mag you will never get your alk to raise and stay. But then again I could be wrong. The only thing I am sure of is my numbers are coming up. I am going slow but I am getting there. Slow and steady because nothing good happens fast in a reef
 
I think it takes all 3 but not exactly sure to what measure. Alk, Calcium and MAg. Your alk is coming up and now your mag is as well? Coincidence?
 
Rob. I have brought up my alk many times in the past. Its been a constant issue trying to keep it up. I dont have dose pumps "prob should" but the tank that has the lowest alk is my 40B Its bare bottom and I cant imagine needing dosing pumps for this tank. The alk will come up and if I dont add everyday it goes back down quick. The tank is my frag and grow out tank. It is packed with a lot of coral. Its all for my 275g 8' tank that is in the works "Sitting in the garage for the last 6 months wile I put together all the equipment I need". I know its a combo of all 3 Mag alk and cal. But I have fought alk for ever. Even when mag was 1310 or more. Why the drop in mag now? That is the question. Mag has been so stable for me for years with little to no dosing. I have never been below 1250 in the 15 years I have kept reefs. Its not a problem to get it back up. But what was the cause in the first place?
 
Hmmm? Always hard to know what is really going on when its not your tank. I have been lucky for whatever reason and have never had a problem keeping levels of the main 3 somewhat stable. Somewhat is a very loose term.
I misunderstood. It appeared you were dumping mag supplements into your system with little to no results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
  • Question Question
Fluidized sand filter help please
Replies
7
Views
416
wickedtuna
W
M
Rock hard crushed coral sand bed
Replies
8
Views
191
Jimbob
Jimbob
D
Corals slowly dying / getting white spots water tests good
Replies
18
Views
2K
griss
griss
Reignfire
Stray current
2
Replies
31
Views
896
griss
griss
G
Is my anemone dying?
Replies
5
Views
244
Uncle99
Uncle99
Back
Top