Maroun 150g Build Thread
- Thread starter maroun.c
- Start date
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A Reef In The Sky
Nice tank! I've been following your progression for a while as it's very similar to mine and I was after ideas. That chiller looks great too. I wouldn't mind something like that here 
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A Reef In The Sky
Your welcome. Most brands are available here. If not, there are a few shops that can order in European equipment so that gives more options. There is definitely many types of equipment here with the "made in china" branded on them... very cheap too. Overall many options
maroun.c
New member
working on Ca and MG levels which again have dropped to:
Ca 320
Mg 1130
Tested my new saltwater mix and my Ca was at only 290
with MG at 980 so basically the 2 large water changes I've recently to try to decrease my nitrates levels were bringing my Ca and MG levels.
with Ca and MG this low does it make a difference in which one I dose before or should I dose both at the same time as I remember reading that if MG level is very low Ca will precipitate and levels will not raise?
Ca 320
Mg 1130
Tested my new saltwater mix and my Ca was at only 290
with MG at 980 so basically the 2 large water changes I've recently to try to decrease my nitrates levels were bringing my Ca and MG levels.
with Ca and MG this low does it make a difference in which one I dose before or should I dose both at the same time as I remember reading that if MG level is very low Ca will precipitate and levels will not raise?
maroun.c
New member
working on Ca and MG levels which again have dropped to:
Ca 320
Mg 1130
Tested my new saltwater mix and my Ca was at only 290
with MG at 980 so basically the 2 large water changes I've recently to try to decrease my nitrates levels were bringing my Ca and MG levels.
with Ca and MG this low does it make a difference in which one I dose before or should I dose both at the same time as I remember reading that if MG level is very low Ca will precipitate and levels will not raise?
Ca 320
Mg 1130
Tested my new saltwater mix and my Ca was at only 290
with MG at 980 so basically the 2 large water changes I've recently to try to decrease my nitrates levels were bringing my Ca and MG levels.
with Ca and MG this low does it make a difference in which one I dose before or should I dose both at the same time as I remember reading that if MG level is very low Ca will precipitate and levels will not raise?
melev
Well-known member
If Magnesium is low, you can buffer it up all at once. It is one of those easy additives that doesn't hurt your system, and tends to stay up a long time. By adding that, your Alk & Ca additions will be more effective, but stay on top of testing daily just to make sure all is well.
Aquarist007
New member
I use epsom salts from the drug store---as long as they are scented or have somethig else added to help your feet in a foot bath
I think I got 2 lbs of it for 6 bucks.
Aquarist007
New member
btw Marc
I think it is really interesting the way you change your avitar so frequently
Do you have to do that by hand or do you have a special program that randomizes it for you?
I think it is really interesting the way you change your avitar so frequently
Do you have to do that by hand or do you have a special program that randomizes it for you?
maroun.c
New member
Hi Capn.
Been following Randy's two part lately and he advises to use both Mag Chloride and Sulfate (Epsom) in combination to avoid a Sulfate build up. Unfortunately as we don't have to De Ice here MAG flake or chloride is not commercially available and I have to buy it from a pharmaceutical distributor. It's highly pure however very costly especially with the amounts of Mag I have to add to go from 1130 to 1280 or a bit higher.
This is what I'm using :
Purity testing:
Randy was impressed with the purity and I could use 20% less than whats requested for 1 G for Ca... Still at 60 USD per KG (aroud 2 pounds) of Mg Chloride this is expensive...
Luckily managed to bring back 5-6 2 parts kits from Bulkreefsupply when I was in cleveland in Mar so when those are used I'll be considering a Ca reactor as when the inital setup price is covered I guess the cheaper running cost will make it more costeffective...
Been following Randy's two part lately and he advises to use both Mag Chloride and Sulfate (Epsom) in combination to avoid a Sulfate build up. Unfortunately as we don't have to De Ice here MAG flake or chloride is not commercially available and I have to buy it from a pharmaceutical distributor. It's highly pure however very costly especially with the amounts of Mag I have to add to go from 1130 to 1280 or a bit higher.
This is what I'm using :
Purity testing:
Randy was impressed with the purity and I could use 20% less than whats requested for 1 G for Ca... Still at 60 USD per KG (aroud 2 pounds) of Mg Chloride this is expensive...
Luckily managed to bring back 5-6 2 parts kits from Bulkreefsupply when I was in cleveland in Mar so when those are used I'll be considering a Ca reactor as when the inital setup price is covered I guess the cheaper running cost will make it more costeffective...
melev
Well-known member
No, I'm doing it myself.
Yes, I took it. I wish it was more crystal clear, but the stuff you see in the shot was actually food & particulates moving through the jelly tank that the nettles were snacking upon.
Regarding Mg additives, I use 7.25 cups of Mag Flake (Mag Chloride) and .75 of a cup of Epson's Salt (Mag Sulfide) to make my four 2-liter bottles of Magnesium. That batch will usually last about two months or so for my system.
The pictures you posted are not both Magnesium-based. Just wanted to let you know, just in case.
maroun.c
New member
I follow the same dosage and I'm supposed to add only 610 ml withe every 4 litres of part A and B however the bucket of salt I'm using now is only giving me
Ca 290
and Mg 980 so the 2 last two changes i did without dosing ca and Mg to correct level before doing the water change have dropped my levels significantly.
Do yuo usually dose Ca and Mg to yuor fresh mixed saltwater?
I did post both the Ca and MG boxes to show their purity tests....
Ca 290
and Mg 980 so the 2 last two changes i did without dosing ca and Mg to correct level before doing the water change have dropped my levels significantly.
Do yuo usually dose Ca and Mg to yuor fresh mixed saltwater?
I did post both the Ca and MG boxes to show their purity tests....
maroun.c
New member
Need some help on Ca raectors as i'm consdiering getting one:
Sorry if it's too basic but I've never used a Ca reactor
-Is it possible to overdose somehow?
-Do you have to play with the settings frequently or just set it up initially and let it go?
-how frequently do you have to test once your reactor is properly set
-Do you think it'll be safe to have a Ca reactor running while on travel?
-In case of a sudden drop of Ca (like with a water change with Low Ca) will the reactor work more and get the levels right?
-is it necesasry to run a Kalk stirrer (or dose kalk) with a Ca reactor?
-As far as I understand the trigger for kalk reactor to kick in in low Ph and I believe the high Ph would trigger the Ca reacto to work?
if that's right wouldn't they be causing each other to kick in and as I don't have a huge demand for Ca and Alk could that cause higher levels?
Thanks for any help
Sorry if it's too basic but I've never used a Ca reactor
-Is it possible to overdose somehow?
-Do you have to play with the settings frequently or just set it up initially and let it go?
-how frequently do you have to test once your reactor is properly set
-Do you think it'll be safe to have a Ca reactor running while on travel?
-In case of a sudden drop of Ca (like with a water change with Low Ca) will the reactor work more and get the levels right?
-is it necesasry to run a Kalk stirrer (or dose kalk) with a Ca reactor?
-As far as I understand the trigger for kalk reactor to kick in in low Ph and I believe the high Ph would trigger the Ca reacto to work?
if that's right wouldn't they be causing each other to kick in and as I don't have a huge demand for Ca and Alk could that cause higher levels?
Thanks for any help
melev
Well-known member
I've been using Red Sea Pro Reef (or Kent Sea Salt) for the past few years. The two of them provide enough alk, ca, and mg that my tank doesn't really notice it.
When I mix up new saltwater, I measure pH, temp, and salinity. If the pH is low, I buffer it up with baked baking soda to the level I desire. That brings up the alk at the same time.
I only dose Magnesium when my test kits indicate it is time, but never with a water change.
