Two part. And mag.

[igadget56]

Don't know what to do next. I have a 125 gallon with 20 gallon sump 225 pounds of live rock and anenome that came with the rock from an existing tank. One rock has a polyp on it and it looks healthy. Tank has been up about five months, and never really cycled. I took about30 gallons of water with the live rock. Ammonia and nitrite have always been on 0. Nitrates are 20 ppm.I have six small fish and no other coral. Also a cleanup crew from Foster and Smith. Coraline algae growing on the rocks. There was some growing on the back of the tank but now that is green. I got a new evolution LED light hanging over the tank about 18".I have on a timer 10 hours a day. I will be getting another when funds permit. I did 2 15 gallon water changes in the last week. Yes I use RO/DI water, but not on the initial fill up.

8-1-11
calcium 360
alk 7.7
magnesium 1110

8-7-11
calcium 340
alk 6.1
magnesium 1050
started dosing two-part from little fishes. And magnesium concentrate maximum dose according to instructions.

8-15-11
calcium360
alk 7.3
magnesium 1080

I thought after a week I would have much better readings. I don't know what to do, should I just continue for a while or can I up the dosages.

 

[pmrossetti]

water changes with a reef salt will raise params without dosing on a new tank like yours.

i would do weekly or biweekly with reefcrystals or red sea coral pro. you shouldn't need to dose yet.

 

[James77]

2 part is great at maintaining levels, but you need to start with the values already corrected to the levels you want or dose more until it gets there. Check out bulkreefsupply and get in in one of their group buys in their forum, costs alot less than commercial 2 part

 

[igadget56]

I have done quite a few water changes I am on my third pail of reef crystals.
Why would my calcium be so low, is it the coraline alge using it up? And is that why it stopped growing on the back of the tank. James77 you said I could up my dose, do you mean the magnesium and the 2 part. And how much? Thanks for the help.

 

[pmrossetti]

maybe the coralline. i guess dosing is necessary.the BRS site has a calculator for dosing

test kit accurate?

 

[igadget56]

pmrossetti you were right. I was using the API and ran out of tests. I ordered a Salifert
I now have 500 ppm calcium. I got rid of all my API test kits except the pH. Hanna
calcium and alkalinity checkers are awesome no colors just numbers.