I did a 25 % water change on a 2 1/2 year old 180 gallon reef, thinking it would be nice to clean out some accumulated chlorides and what ever else might be building. I used RSCP mixed to 1.026. Since I had some time on my hands from the long weekend I also changed the calcium reactor media, adding some KZ magnesium chips to the mixed, I also increased the radions during the mid day to 95% and 12,000 K from 90% and 14,000 K. Needless to say within 24 hours I lost ten head Hammer, an eight inch green slimer that I have had for years, an M. undata also long time and a large 9 inch ponapes birdnest. Checking my parameters showed a jump in dKh from my usual 7.5 to 10.5 . The phosphates were 0, and the nitrates were .25 ppm. SG was 1.026. The Mg was 1600. I checked the newly mixed salt from the holding tank which was dKh of 12. I think the lesson to be learned is:
a] one change at a time
b] perhaps when adding a second source of Mg one should perhaps cut back on the dosing
c] feed more despite already feeding a heavy fish population, and perhaps a healthy macroalgae refugium along with vodka dosing is overkill.
d] pretty much done with the expensive premium salts which raise carbonate and calcium well beyond my tank levels. My pay so much more for maybe a dollars worth of extra calcium and baking soda?
If anyone has any additional insights I would be happy to hear them
a] one change at a time
b] perhaps when adding a second source of Mg one should perhaps cut back on the dosing
c] feed more despite already feeding a heavy fish population, and perhaps a healthy macroalgae refugium along with vodka dosing is overkill.
d] pretty much done with the expensive premium salts which raise carbonate and calcium well beyond my tank levels. My pay so much more for maybe a dollars worth of extra calcium and baking soda?
If anyone has any additional insights I would be happy to hear them
