Alk, Calcium and Magnesium Low

ENARP · Jun 12, 2016

I have been out of the hobby for about 20 years and just recently got back in. I have a 45 gallon JBJ All in One tank that has been running for 3 months. I do 5 gallon water changes twice a week. This week I did 2 - 5 gallon changes during the week and a 10 gallon change today. I am using Red Sea Pro salt. Tested water 3 hours after water change and these are the results:

Salinity 1.026, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrates - 0, PH 8.2, Phosphates 0.03, Alk 99 ppm (5.535 dkh),
Calcium 330 ppm, Magnesium 1080 ppm.

I use Kalkwasser in my top off container. Previous test, done a week ago, showed Calcium at 350 ppm and Alk at 114 (6.373 dkh). First time to check Mag with new test kit. Even with using Kalk and adding a Magnesium supplement (10 drops twice a day), I have been unable to raise any of the levels and actually seem to be going backwards. Any recommendations on what I may be doing incorrectly or another supplementation program I may need to change to?
Thanks

redfishbluefish · Jun 12, 2016

Have someone else test your water.

Using Red Sea Pro, and dosing, those numbers just don't look kosher.

ENARP · Jun 12, 2016

Having someone else test water is not an option. I live in the boonies.......

redfishbluefish · Jun 12, 2016

What test kits do you have and how old are they?

ENARP · Jun 12, 2016

Mag and Cal are Red Sea Pro. Calcium is 3 months old Mag is 1 week old. Alk is a Hanna checker 3 months old. Hanna packet exp. date is 3/17.

redfishbluefish · Jun 13, 2016

I apologize if the following is known....but without having to ask 50 questions, I'd like to review some of the errors I've seen with testing.

1. Salinity is off,effecting all other test results. What are you using to measure salinity? If a swing arm hydrometer, I'd highly recommend purchasing a refractometer and calibrating with 53.0 mS solution.

2. Color Change with Red Sea Pro kits. These kits are not looking to match the color on the instruction card. You are simply looking for when it changes from one color to another, and one more drop doesn't cause more of a color change.

3. Mag Test with Drops: Read and follow the instructions explicitly (This is true with all kits). I've seen too many folks only add one drop of Solution A, missing the "X5" on the instruction card. Make sure you add the five drops, with each separated by 15 seconds.

4. With all Hanna's, the vial (cuvette) can never, ever go into the instrument wet. Wetness on the outside of the vial will skew results and potentially ruin the instrument. Make sure the vial is completely dry.

5. With Hanna, the outside of the vial needs to be squeaky clean.....no finger prints. Wipe down the outside of the vial just prior to sliding it into the instrument.

The reason I've questioned testing is because of the advertised levels in Red Sea Pro salt, and the fact that you are also dosing. Here are the advertised levels in Red Sea Pro Salt (at 35ppt (1.026SG)):

Alkalinity: 11.5 - 12.5 dKH
Calcium: 450-480
Magnesium: 1350-1430

My recommendation is to make a fresh batch of new saltwater and test that before dumping into your tank. You should be in the ballpark of the above numbers. Best of luck.

ENARP · Jun 13, 2016

Thanks RFBF...Salinity is tested with a refractometer that was calibrated with calibration water provided with it. I need to test my water before it is placed in tank....Dang I am smart enough ...I should have thought of that already!!!

ENARP · Jun 13, 2016

Ok tonight I made up some water for a water change tomorrow. Tested alk of make up water. It tested 150 ppm / 8.386 dkh. Tested tank water and got 93 ppm / 5.199 dkh. Alk in tank dropped from 99 ppm / 5.535 dkh overnight. Something is lowering Alk in the tank. I think I need to concentrate on getting my Magnesium up to start. Can I add Brightwell Magnesium supplement to my top off water that already has Kalkwasser in it?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 14, 2016

I think you may have some testing issues, and I would not make corrections based on those results.

Try the magnesium kit on your new salt water.

ENARP · Jun 14, 2016

Thanks Mr. Farley. I will do the Mag and Calcium tests tonight before water change and let you know the results.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 14, 2016

Sounds good.

Good luck!

ENARP · Jun 14, 2016

Ok. Before anyone says anything about the tests, they are not out of date. I can read. I can follow directions. (Wife may question that statement)
I even watched the "how to" videos on youtube.

Here is what the test results showed:

Magnesium: Newly made water - 1240 ppm, Tank water - 1080 ppm
Calcium: Newly made water - 350 ppm, Tank water - 330 ppm
Alkalinity: Newly made water 148 ppm - 8.274 dkh, Tank water 87 ppm - 4.864 dkh

So now I am totally confused and have no idea where to even start to get things corrected........

Peanut · Jun 14, 2016

is there anything else you are adding?

Peanut · Jun 14, 2016

what kind of substrate and rocks are in the tank?

ENARP · Jun 14, 2016

Tank has a 2" of Carib Sea Special Grade Sand and marco rocks. I have the intank media baskets in the AIO back area with pond matrix in both and also small bags of BRS Carbon. Running an IM Nano Skimmer.

Tank post
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-jbj-45-slow-ride.241051/

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 15, 2016

ENARP said:
Ok. Before anyone says anything about the tests, they are not out of date. I can read. I can follow directions. (Wife may question that statement)
I even watched the "how to" videos on youtube.

Here is what the test results showed:

Magnesium: Newly made water - 1240 ppm, Tank water - 1080 ppm
Calcium: Newly made water - 350 ppm, Tank water - 330 ppm
Alkalinity: Newly made water 148 ppm - 8.274 dkh, Tank water 87 ppm - 4.864 dkh

So now I am totally confused and have no idea where to even start to get things corrected........

No matter how hard folks try, many get inaccurate results with kits. It is not an unusual thing that implies you are an idiot.

The problems are easy to correct, if we assume they are real.

What salt mix are you using? What salinity? All will rise with a salinity boost, but magnesium in particular may rise a lot by boosting the salinity.

I'd use baking soda to boost the alk, calcium chloride to boost the calcium, and a magnesium supplement to boost the magnesium. You can DIY for magnesium and calcium, or buy a brand name.

This calculator shows how much to use:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chem_calc3.html

cjd · Jun 15, 2016

Side note....... Always mix the salt mix good before you make up new salt water. Things settle in the container and can skew the results. Like a box of cereal .....all the crunch berries are at the bottom

ENARP · Jun 15, 2016

I use Red Sea Reef Pro Salt (I shake up the bucket before I use it) and Salinity is 1.026. I was using Brightwell Magnesium Supplement, but stopped during all this testing. I am going out of town this weekend and there is a good aquarium store near where I will be. Any recommendations on products I should look for to correct things?

redfishbluefish · Jun 15, 2016

Bring a sample of your water and have them test it.

cjd · Jun 15, 2016

you'd be surprised at how many people don't shake it before they make it and wonder why their test results are all over the place. I was just throwing that out there. I use EVS B-Ionic 2 part with their Mag supplement. There many great choices , Randy has home made recipes that are the gold standard of diy 2 part that cost a fraction of the price of pre made.