Magnesium

[snake1]

what is everyone`s magnesium levels? and how important is it to keep it above 1300 I notice some have levels at 1330 to 1340 does this improve coral growth? I just checked and found mine at 1260 I`m slowly going to raise it only 90ml per day I have read no more than 100ml per day the reef calculator says I need 900ml to achieve 1340 from 1260 Thanks for your comments

 

[rogergolf66]

I'm not a chemist but basically if u don't have enough magnesium u have issues with the corals being able to build there skeletons. Also ur calcium can read low no matter how much 2 part u add if ur mag is to low. That being said yours is not dangerously low. I keep mine goal of 1310. When I do have to correction dose I normally over shoot and end up at 1350. Over a couple weeks it gets back to my goal.

Feel free to correct me. I'm sure there r people that can explain it better then me

 

[MrHarvard]

Before you start adding things to raise your Mg what are your Alk, Ca, and Ph at right now? You are still in the safe zone with your Mg being 1260 as long as your Alk and Ca are in check! If you start adding Mg (depending on what your adding) you are going to see a increase in Alk as well. You said you noticed that others have higher Mg that doesnt mean you should raise yours to that level. All systems are going to be differnet and there are a lot of variables that come into play. Keep in mind keeping Mg, Alk, and Ca balanced is the goal and when attempting to raise your Mg is going to affect the others. Have you always checked your Mg or did you just start testing for it? If you are having success with your Mg where it currently is I wouldn't do anything! What are you currently using to maintain your "big 3"? Last thing is depending on what kind of livestock you are housing you may not want to raise your Mg any more.

 

[MrHarvard]

I should have also said that if you have an sps dominate tank and your growth is starting to take off your talking about a different situation and you will probably need to start a Mg replenishment regiment otherwise water changes should keep you balanced.

 

[aguila88psi]

1400ppm over here, only because its the salt I use keeps it a that level where when I do water changes my values are similar or same and not drastic changes, also you can raise 100ppm per day, not 100ml

 

[snake1]

just tested
CAL: 435
KH: 9.3
ALK: 3.30
PH: 7.87 =I cant get it higher?
TEMP: 81.6
MAG: 1275 = After 90 ml of mag last night it was 1260,,24 hrs ago

should I keep going with the magnesium till I hit 1300 everything is easy to maintain with the addition of dosers and my chart to show what I have been doing I have it dialed in pretty good now just not sure about the mag? looking for your opinion thanks again

 

[nitr8]

just tested
CAL: 435
KH: 9.3
ALK: 3.30
PH: 7.87 =I cant get it higher?
TEMP: 81.6
MAG: 1275 = After 90 ml of mag last night it was 1260,,24 hrs ago

should I keep going with the magnesium till I hit 1300 everything is easy to maintain with the addition of dosers and my chart to show what I have been doing I have it dialed in pretty good now just not sure about the mag? looking for your opinion thanks again

IME, the acceptable range for calcium, alkalinity and magnesium is pretty large. Focus more on keeping them stable instead of shooting for an "ideal" number. As long as you are within the acceptable ranges, I wouldn't sweat it. The pH is a bit low but still nothing to worry about.

This is what I go by (mine):

Calcium: 400-470 (450)
Alkalinity: 8-11 dKH (9)
Magnesium: 1250-1350 (1320)
pH: 7.8-8.5 (8.0)

 

[rogergolf66]

I like to keep over 1300 bit u r in safe area

 

[snake1]

I just started using magnesium and testing for magnesium I change 10 gallons of water a week and I just picked up some dosers to help maintain alk, cal , and mag Im slowly adding sps and would like to keep a good healthy tank I know they say 1250-1350 so I figure keep it in the middle at 1300, I was at 1250-1260 which is on the low side

 

[snake1]

the PH will not go any higher I have my skimmer air fed from the garage for better co2 im running my lights in the refugium the opposite of the display lights and have good water movement

 

[MrHarvard]

I wouldn't stress your ph or Mg at this point. Just keep them stable and make sure you don't have any swings and you will be successful!

 

[Rbs07fxstc]

Like everyone else mentioned, just keep stable parameters. Don't go crazy adding chemicals & wind up chasing numbers. Adding too much of one thing can put something else out whack. Most of the time water changes will keep your levels in good shape until your tank becomes heavily stocked. That's when doser's come in handy.

 

[snake1]

thanks to everyone for your help!