Very weird test parameters.

[purplereef]

Hi Guys,
I am wondering what effect these parameters will have on my SPS in my tank? I thought if you have high calcium you couldn't have high alkalinity but after my testing I found I have very high calcium and higher alkalinity. I tested the alkalinity with a Lemotte test kit and the calcium with a Salifert test kit. I also tested my magnesium with a Salifert test kit and my phosphates with a Hanna low range test kit. Here is my results.
alkalinity=9.3
calcium=565
magnesium=1800
phosphates=0.02
I dose with b-ionic and I use Reefcrystals salt. Thank you guys, Dan.

 

[toothman]

I would test your water change water with salt in it and see what it is prior to putting it in tank. If your finding are true, slow down on dosing until back to accepted ranges are achieved. A water change is always a good idea.

 

[downbeach]

What are you measuring your salinity with? If it's a refractometer, is it calibrated? If you use a swing arm type hydrometer, you might want to get a second opinion using a calibrated refractometer. I would allow them to drop to more normal levels before doing any more dosing.

 

[purplereef]

Thanks guys. I do use a refractometer and I calibrate it every 2 weeks. I will compare it to someone else's refractometer to see what my salinity is. I have really cut back on the dosing as well. Dan.

 

[purplereef]

Well I just got back from my LFS and my Refractometer is spot on. So I can scratch that idea.

 

[purplereef]

Does anybody know how I can safely bring down my Magnesium? Should I just leave it that high? The calcium and alkalinity are easy enough to lower by decreasing my dosing. I am not dosing magnesium nor have I for a few years now.

 

[Dexters Reef]

Magnesium will lower on its own, but much slower than calcium or alkalinity. Measure the magnesium of fresh mixed saltwater before adding it to the tank. If its noticeably lower than the magnesium in your tank, then a few large water changes should help speed things up.

 

[dankreef]

Your tank is probably getting plenty of alk/ca/mg from just the reef crystals. Your probably over doing it with the bi-ionic. If your not dosing anything else and you have those parameters im assuming you don't have tons of coral in your tank. Just stick to water changes less frequent and your parameters should balance out.

 

[REEF SMAC]

If you are using RCs and adding B-ionic without enough corals to use it up, then there is nothing weird about those test parameters. Not surprising at all really.

Stop with the dosing for a while and let those levels come down. Stuff should be fine.

 

[reeferlover]

wait a alk of 9.5 isnt bad is it? cal is high but whats your ph thats what becomes a problem with a high cal

 

[sminker]

Surprised no one has asked this yet.

How big are your corals? If they are just frags or small colonies then you should not be dosing. You need to have some decent size colonies going before dosing is needed. Water changes should be more than enough to keep up with demand.

 

[purplereef]

Here is the most recent picture of my tank.

 

[sminker]

Regular water changes should be sufficient for those corals.

 

[purplereef]

Thanks guys. Also a buddy of mine suggested I use Instant Ocean instead of Reef Crystals, due to the high Mg in Reef Crystals. I think I will try Instant Ocean for a little while and see what my numbers decline to.

 

[dankreef]

Surprised no one has asked this yet.

How big are your corals? If they are just frags or small colonies then you should not be dosing. You need to have some decent size colonies going before dosing is needed. Water changes should be more than enough to keep up with demand.

I didn't ask I just assumed in my post step ahead bro :beachbum:

 

[sminker]

Thanks guys. Also a buddy of mine suggested I use Instant Ocean instead of Reef Crystals, due to the high Mg in Reef Crystals. I think I will try Instant Ocean for a little while and see what my numbers decline to.

Instant ocean is good if you are dosing to save some money. But i would continue to use Reef Crystals until its time to dose.