My Tank Additive/Dosing Complications And Fixes

[aaronlp]

I have two tanks both 75(but very unique) one is a mixed reef and the other will eventually be a SPS Dominant Peninsula. Now both tanks have fish while only one has corals.

75DT:
1 BLue hippo
2 Clown(ocellaris)
3 Barletts Anthias
1 Green Mandarin
1 6 Line Wrasse
Bubble Magus Skimmer
4-t5/2-250w halide fixture


75 Peninsula
2 Yellow Tangs
1 Melanarus Wrasse

Now my 75DT has corals(softies, sps, lps) while my other one has no corals
HOB Skimmer untill in sump skimmer is purchased.

Testing
75DT
Nitrites-Non Detected
Nitrates- Non Detected
Ammonia- Non Detected
Phosphate- Non Detected
Calcium-0
Alkalinity- 6.3dkh
Magnesium- So high the test cant even measure it
(Nitrites,Nitrates,Phosphates,Calcium-Salifert)
(Alkalinity,Magnesium- RedSea)
Sump- No Macro Algaes just miracle mud

75Peninsula
Nitrites-Non Detected
Nitrates- Non Detected
Ammonia- Non Detected
Phosphate- .02
Calcium-0
Alkalinity- 8.7dkh
Magnesium- So high the test cant even measure it
(Same test kits as stated above)
Sump- Macroalgaes(Cheato) and one medium sized mangrove in the overflow

Now here are my questions, How can my magnesium in both tanks be so high if im not dosing any mag. And the calcium i can see in the 75dt not being any as the corals soak it up. But in the peninsula how is ther none. I have been dosing in both tanks Code A/B from brightwell aquatics( i just started using BRS 2 part) Both tanks i am vodka dosing will that have any effect? Can anyone help my problems here, looking to see why my calcium is at 0and any helpful thought on how to get my stuff up and stable! Thanks!:beer:

 

[Henry Colf]

I would bring a water sample of each to your local lfs and have checked. I find it hard to beleive that you have no calcium in your sw. You may have a bad test kit.

 

[aaronlp]

I would bring a water sample of each to your local lfs and have checked. I find it hard to beleive that you have no calcium in your sw. You may have a bad test kit.

I know for a fact its not a bad test kit as it was just revied in the mail today and isnt even close to the expiration date(I triple checked the tests too)

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Calcium being zero is pretty much not possible in your systems from a chemistry or biology perspective. I would strongly second the notion that this is an error with the test kit or test procedure.

 

[aaronlp]

Calcium being zero is pretty much not possible in your systems from a chemistry or biology perspective. I would strongly second the notion that this is an error with the test kit or test procedure.

Now i dont understand how the test kit would be bad or anything...ive done the test 4 times tonight smae results read the directions and even had help with the test....i dont know what to really say

 

[pascal32]

double check the directions. what brand?

 

[aaronlp]

double check the directions. what brand?

salifert on the calcium, redsea on the magnesium the other tests are good jsut having problems with the mag and cal

 

[pascal32]

salifert on the calcium, redsea on the magnesium the other tests are good jsut having problems with the mag and cal

After you go through the first ml with the syringe, draw another ml and keep going. You ca is likely high which is not anything to worry about.

I've never used the Red Sea mg kit. I know for the salifert someone who is not color blind has and easier time with it

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

What's the pH typically in these systems?

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but it is pretty much impossible for those numbers to be real, which means there HAS to be a problem with the test kit or the test method. Can you post a vid of your test process for Ca and Mg? Maybe one of us will be able to spot a mistake. Or get someone nearby to stop over and double check with their known-good test kits?

 

[aaronlp]

ph in the tanks is about 8.2 I gonna swing over to the lfs and have them test it and see what happens wfrom there

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

What's the pH typically in these systems?

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but it is pretty much impossible for those numbers to be real, which means there HAS to be a problem with the test kit or the test method. Can you post a vid of your test process for Ca and Mg? Maybe one of us will be able to spot a mistake. Or get someone nearby to stop over and double check with their known-good test kits?

+1

I've never had nor known anyone else with a Marine tank (even fish only) not too mention Reef... have 0 Calcium in it. Obviously Reef tanks would have a higher level of Cal. But Something stinks about that test reading and I doubt it has anything to do with skimate. lol

Get it checked Aaron. Besides a water sample of course, bring your test kit with you to the LFS too. Check it out with both in house. Something is definitely wrong with that reading somewhere.

0 Calcium- It should be immpossible.

 

[tmz]

Calcium is not 0. No need to argue it. It just isn't a correct test.

What salt mix? How much magnesium is in it?

 

[mr86mister]

A simple addition of the first step would help Aaron!

 

[aaronlp]

A simple addition of the first step would help Aaron!

hahah mike thanks for the help today!:hmm5:

 

[mr86mister]

Lol. Just take your time, reread if you need to. Jump online(youtube would have been great this time around for ya) and do the research. We are here to help but could have saved you the stress of figuring out wth is wrong...lol. Glad to help ya!