Aquaforest Component 123 - High Mag

[wackyreefer]

Hi guys

As per the title. Following the Aquaforest balling method using components 123.

My Alk and Ca consumption and dosing via components 1 and 2 are great in my opinion for sps dominant. Alk 8.3, Ca 450. However magnesium is high 1650.

I have double checked Salinity (Calibrated), it's 1.026. I also tested with 2 different mg kits (Salifert and Red Sea), same value.

So I read a lot about if one param is lower than others, just ignore and keep dosing equal. However what if 1 is much higher? I can't find any guidance here.

Can I merely stop dosing Component 3? Or since this is balling (and ion balance is involved) would I need to stop Component 1(Ca) and 3 and only keep dosing Component 2 (Alk) until Magnesium drops?

I am aware I can buy the components and mix my own with less Magnesium in Component 3. I have ordered the components but Keen to understand what I can do in the mean time to let level drop a bit.

My tank is SPS dominant and everything is doing amazing, hence I want to be really careful here.

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, it is a reasonable chance the magnesium is inaccurate. Many folks have kit issues with it.

What salt mix? Ever try your magnesium kits on new salt water?

 

[wackyreefer]

IMO, it is a reasonable chance the magnesium is inaccurate. Many folks have kit issues with it.

What salt mix? Ever try your magnesium kits on new salt water?

Very valid point raised. Using Aquaforest reef salt which generally is high in mag (1500-1550) from me testing fresh batches on 4 different buckets all at 1.026.

However, regardless of that dosing Component 3 has made it creep up further. So I would love to understand what I can and cannot do as I understand with the balling method you have limitations I.e. cannot merely dose some components and others not. However I don't understand it so would love some help understanding if:
a) I can just not dose component 3 and keep dosing others - I believe this is a no go as the reef mineral salt in component 3 help keep the ion balance created due to the compounds created by dosing Component 1 and 2. Not sure if this is misinformation or not
b) To prevent the ion imbalance stop both component 1 (ca) and component 3 (mg) and only keep dosing component 2 (alk) - does this have any issues I am unaware of?

Currently I am reading too many mixed opinions access different threads and I'm not sure what to take as opinion and what to consider fact.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

A properly designed two or three part will have a pretty small effect on magnesium, and should not actually raise it, but rather keep it where it is. There is a little guesswork on magnesium in such supplements since the relative amount of magnesium to calcium/alk can vary tank to tank as different organisms consume slightly different ratios.

But unless the mix is very off for some reason, it seems highly unlikely the magnesium would rise more than 1 ppm per day even in an extreme case. My guess is that in your case, where higher magnesium would be expected to drive some extra demand for it, using the magnesium part is not significantly raising magnesium.

If it were me, I'd switch to a lower magnesium mix for water changes, and continue to use the supplement as directed. But if you are particularly concerned about high magnesium, stopping the dosing of it is not going to be a big problem. Many folks only dose calcium chloride and sodium carbonate without apparent issues.

 

[wackyreefer]

A properly designed two or three part will have a pretty small effect on magnesium, and should not actually raise it, but rather keep it where it is. There is a little guesswork on magnesium in such supplements since the relative amount of magnesium to calcium/alk can vary tank to tank as different organisms consume slightly different ratios.

But unless the mix is very off for some reason, it seems highly unlikely the magnesium would rise more than 1 ppm per day even in an extreme case. My guess is that in your case, where higher magnesium would be expected to drive some extra demand for it, using the magnesium part is not significantly raising magnesium.

If it were me, I'd switch to a lower magnesium mix for water changes, and continue to use the supplement as directed. But if you are particularly concerned about high magnesium, stopping the dosing of it is not going to be a big problem. Many folks only dose calcium chloride and sodium carbonate without apparent issues.

Really appreciate the detailed reply Randy. This is very helpful.

Interesting you say that 'Many folks only dose calcium chloride and sodium carbonate without apparent issues.'. So where does this whole messaging about ionic balance come from that is referred to by so many?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Really appreciate the detailed reply Randy. This is very helpful.

Interesting you say that 'Many folks only dose calcium chloride and sodium carbonate without apparent issues.'. So where does this whole messaging about ionic balance come from that is referred to by so many?

It definitely is optimal to balance all ions. There's no question there. But many folks use the BRS two part, ignore the mag part most of the time, and have fine reef tanks.

 

[wackyreefer]

It definitely is optimal to balance all ions. There's no question there. But many folks use the BRS two part, ignore the mag part most of the time, and have fine reef tanks.

Much appreciated Randy. Thanks for taking the time.