Reef Crystals - The results are in...

Ok, I just opened my last bucket of Reef Crystals and its time to order a new supply. I usually get 3 - 4 buckets at a time.

How are the recent shipments from F&S? has the problem been corrected?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362206#post12362206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Ok, I just opened my last bucket of Reef Crystals and its time to order a new supply. I usually get 3 - 4 buckets at a time.

How are the recent shipments from F&S? has the problem been corrected?
Click to expand...
not yet I don't believe--there are still a lot of bad buckets of RC's around......
 
EXPECTATIONS?

EXPECTATIONS?

I have used Instant Ocean ever since I started in this hobby...which of course means supplementing everything... I was considering a gradual move to Reef Crystals until I read this thread...I think I will wait a while longer...

For the uninitiated, what readings of CA, ALK and MG should I expect from Reef Crystals if mixed to 1.025 - 1.026 SG?

I currently run my tanks at 420-450 CA, 1300 - 1350 MG and 3.5 - 4.0 Mqel ALK.

LL
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12268797#post12268797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Scooterman67
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
Magnesium

Magnesium's primary importance is its interaction with the calcium and alkalinity balance in reef aquaria. Seawater and reef aquarium water are always supersaturated with calcium carbonate. That is, the solution's calcium and carbonate levels exceed the amount that the water can hold at equilibrium. How can that be? Magnesium is a big part of the answer. Whenever calcium carbonate begins to precipitate, magnesium binds to the growing surface of the calcium carbonate crystals. The magnesium effectively clogs the crystals' surface so that they no longer look like calcium carbonate, making them unable to attract more calcium and carbonate, so the precipitation stops. Without the magnesium, the abiotic (nonbiological) precipitation of calcium carbonate would likely increase enough to prohibit the maintenance of calcium and alkalinity at natural levels.

For this reason, I suggest targeting the natural seawater concentration of magnesium: ~1285 ppm. For practical purposes, 1250-1350 ppm is fine, and levels slightly outside that range (1200-1400 ppm) are also likely acceptable. I would not suggest raising magnesium by more than 100 ppm per day, in case the magnesium supplement contains impurities. If you need to raise it by several hundred ppm, spreading the addition over several days will allow you to more accurately reach the target concentration, and might possibly allow the aquarium to handle any impurities that the supplement contains.

An aquarium's corals and coralline algae can deplete magnesium by incorporating it into their growing calcium carbonate skeletons. Many methods of supplementing calcium and alkalinity may not deliver enough magnesium to maintain it at a normal level. Settled limewater (kalkwasser), in particular, is quite deficient in magnesium. Consequently, magnesium should be measured occasionally, particularly if the aquarium's calcium and alkalinity levels seem difficult to maintain. Aquaria with excessive abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate on objects such as heaters and pumps might suffer from low magnesium levels (along with high pH, calcium, and alkalinity).
Click to expand...

Not to sidetrack this from the original intent of this discussion, but help me better understand the true importance of mg in the reef aquarium? Am I reading this right? Magnesium helps keep the calcium from precipitating when we run high alk and calc levels in our systems? Or is it that it helps the corals better use the calcium that is suspended in the water column?
 
I just opened one of the replacement buckets I was sent. I can't remember if it was the one from Drs Foster and Smith or Aquarium Systems.

IT TESTED NORMAL!!! WOOT!!!

Ca - 420
Alk - 12

I didn't test Mg cause I assumed if Ca was OK I got a good bucket!
 
I just mixed up my first batch of salt water from my newest bucket of salt and this is what I got.

CA 355

MAG 1125

ALK 12.2
 
What SG and what do you use to measure SG? My replacement buckets were low when I checked them and then found out my refactor meter was out of calibration and reading high, so the test samples were low in SG. When I calibrated it and retested ad 1.026 the levels were okay.
 
78 degrees
1.025 -calibrated refractometer.
I mix, and have always mixed my salt the same way. 13 cups for 25 gal of water.

Spleify
 
Calibrate Refractometer?

Calibrate Refractometer?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12424059#post12424059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rbursek
What do you use to calibrate it.
Click to expand...

I may be doing this wrong, but I just use RO/DI water with a zero TDS reading to calibrate my refractometer...

I would expect a 1.000 reading on the refractometer...

:confused:

Is there another way?

LL
 
Last edited:
That will cause it to read low. you need I believeit is pinpoint 53 solution, or Randy's home made which I do not remember it. Maybe some one will chime in with it. I belive it is a 2ltr coke bottled filled to the rim with RODI, then putit in a larger container, add 1/4 cup plus 2 tsp of iodized table salt. Get it disolved and calibrate to 1.026/35ppt
 
Here is the link for the formula,

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

I always get confused when reading it, so if someone smarter than me( and that shouldn't be hard) can give us a quick description of how to do it, that would be great.
I have an awesome scale that I used to have at my body shop so measuring in grams is a breeze for me.

Thanks

Spleify

Oh, and by the way I use the solution mentioned above to calibrate it last which was last month. How often do they need to be recalibrated?
 
okay, here it is and I was wrong on the 2 tsp it is 1. 2104.4grams RODI water and 79.3grams Mortons iodized table salt.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12429955#post12429955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rbursek
okay, here it is and I was wrong on the 2 tsp it is 1. 2104.4grams RODI water and 79.3grams Mortons iodized table salt.
Click to expand...

2104.4 Grams of RODI
79.3 grams Mortons iodized salt
??

Is this correct?
I am confused by the 1. in front of the 2104.

Remember I get confused waaaayy to easy.
:confused: :)

Thanks

Spleify
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12430453#post12430453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spleify
2104.4 Grams of RODI
79.3 grams Mortons iodized salt
??

Is this correct?
I am confused by the 1. in front of the 2104.

Remember I get confused waaaayy to easy.
:confused: :)

Thanks

Spleify
Click to expand...
Just buy a small bottle of Pinpoint solution--so much easier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
The Role of Magnesium Salts in Coral Reef Health and Restoration
Replies
0
Views
810
runfucamg
R
J
Calcium very elevated
Replies
9
Views
2K
kharmaguru
kharmaguru
H
High ammonia in 24 year old tank
Replies
15
Views
3K
brandon429
brandon429
F
Cannot raise PH levels, aquarium with Calcium Reactor
Replies
1
Views
724
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
L
Testing fresh salt mix before water change
Replies
11
Views
2K
Genetics
Genetics
Back
Top