All for Reef Question

[Lionfish 37]

So, I'm dosing All for Reef. My parameters as far as Alk, PH, Calc are staying within a good range. My Magnesium however is dropping about 10ppm a day. Is anyone else having to supplemental dose for something like this. I'm pretty new to All for Reef and giving it try.

 

[ReefGeezer]

I still have to dose magnesium but the depletion isn't rate as fast as yours. I was losing maybe 50 ppm per week when averaged over 4 or 5 weeks. Now I just add a little magnesium solution weekly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So, I'm dosing All for Reef. My parameters as far as Alk, PH, Calc are staying within a good range. My Magnesium however is dropping about 10ppm a day. Is anyone else having to supplemental dose for something like this. I'm pretty new to All for Reef and giving it try.

It is not anywhere close to possible that 10 ppm per day of magnesium is beind consumed. That would require consumption of at least 100 ppm of calcium per day, and 15 dKH of alk per day.

Either the effect is a salinity change, or it is test error.

To see a 10 ppm magnesium decline, specific gravity need only drop from 1.02500 to 1.02481, which you cannot detect with a hobby device.

 

[Lionfish 37]

It is not anywhere close to possible that 10 ppm per day of magnesium is beind consumed. That would require consumption of at least 100 ppm of calcium per day, and 15 dKH of alk per day.

Either the effect is a salinity change, or it is test error.

To see a 10 ppm magnesium decline, specific gravity need only drop from 1.02500 to 1.02481, which you cannot detect with a hobby device.

My Salinity is 1.025. When I tested a 6 days prior to last night my Magnesium was at 1280. Last night my test read 1220. So I figured it to be losing 10ppm a day. I could be wrong, but that's why I ask. I use Hanna Checkers, and they are fairly new.

 

[ReefGeezer]

It is not anywhere close to possible that 10 ppm per day of magnesium is beind consumed. That would require consumption of at least 100 ppm of calcium per day, and 15 dKH of alk per day.

Either the effect is a salinity change, or it is test error.

To see a 10 ppm magnesium decline, specific gravity need only drop from 1.02500 to 1.02481, which you cannot detect with a hobby device.

I hear ya @Randy Holmes-Farley and would defer to you on the number, but my tank's magnesium does drop over time when dosing All for Reef. It's not a complaint. I really like the product.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I hear ya @Randy Holmes-Farley and would defer to you on the number, but my tank's magnesium does drop over time when dosing All for Reef. It's not a complaint. I really like the product.

I do not doubt that. It's the rate mentioned. Even if it added no magnesium, it would take a few weeks to detect a drop using a hobby kit.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My Salinity is 1.025. When I tested a 6 days prior to last night my Magnesium was at 1280. Last night my test read 1220. So I figured it to be losing 10ppm a day. I could be wrong, but that's why I ask. I use Hanna Checkers, and they are fairly new.

As I mentioned, it could be either test error (very common), or a salinity change.

For a 60 ppm drop in magnesium to be due to salinity alone, the real sg may have just moved from 1.0253 to 1.0241. Most hobby salinity devices have errors higher than that.

I'd just keep monitoring it longer . There's nothing wrong with giving a small one time boost to magnesium, but do not set up to dose 10 ppm per day.

 

[Lionfish 37]

As I mentioned, it could be either test error (very common), or a salinity change.

For a 60 ppm drop in magnesium to be due to salinity alone, the real sg may have just moved from 1.0253 to 1.0241. Most hobby salinity devices have errors higher than that.

I'd just keep monitoring it longer . There's nothing wriogn with giving a small one time boost to magnesium, but do nto set up to dose 10 ppm per day.

So what would you recommend? Should I retest, dose a little Magnesium, or?

 

[ReefGeezer]

FWIW, I test weekly but only raise magnesium if it drops below 1250 ppm... usually every 2-3 weeks. I dose it up to about 1350. I use a Salifert kit. That means my numbers are not exact.

 

[Lionfish 37]

FWIW, I test weekly but only raise magnesium if it drops below 1250 ppm... usually every 2-3 weeks. I dose it up to about 1350. I use a Salifert kit. That means my numbers are not exact.

Okay then I'll clean my syringes in my test kit, and retest. If I'm still low then I'll dose.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Okay then I'll clean my syringes in my test kit, and retest. If I'm still low then I'll dose.

Yes, dose if you are low, but let it drop enough to be sure there is an actual drop and not just test error. I target about 100 ppm.

 

[fishRus]

It is not anywhere close to possible that 10 ppm per day of magnesium is beind consumed. That would require consumption of at least 100 ppm of calcium per day, and 15 dKH of alk per day.

Either the effect is a salinity change, or it is test error.

To see a 10 ppm magnesium decline, specific gravity need only drop from 1.02500 to 1.02481, which you cannot detect with a hobby device.

I’m using All For Reef and my magnesium stays between 1450 and 1500 I have a 100 gal mixed reef with lots of coral I add 70 to 80 ml per day Is a constant 1500 mag to high?

 

[Hats_]

1500 mag is fine als long as its constant. Corals are very adaptable animals. If you always have 1500 and your corals look good, why change it

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m using All For Reef and my magnesium stays between 1450 and 1500 I have a 100 gal mixed reef with lots of coral I add 70 to 80 ml per day Is a constant 1500 mag to high?

IMO, 1500 ppm high, but some folks seem to like to. I recommend 1250-1450 ppm or so.