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domination2580
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My biggest issue so far is the mag tests to be so off... what's a guy supposed to do?
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domination2580
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That and if all my tests have shown 1500, ok bad test kits, but i used a friend's test kit, got the same result, at the same time i took it to my courses lfs in Sioux falls and his was 1500 too
jsker
Reefing is all about the adventure
Has Randy stated not a concern, just watch your Alk, and Ca
Again,
Mix to 33ppt, you will likely have a test result with YOUR test kits at around 1350-1400, and the ICP result would likely be around 1280 give or take. This salinity level will not have ill effects on corals or fish. I have accounts that have marked improvement switching 1000 service customers to AF Reef salt, and mixing to 1.023. The higher the salt concentration, the higher the mineral concentration, and vice-versa
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domination2580
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I've tested after tested and haven't gotten anything lower than 1480
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domination2580
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Also, just got in the calcium additive in order to let mag level out. Which was before i got the results back. So I have been dosing just alk and cal. According to my math I should dose 20 ml of the calcium for a 55 to raise it by 10 correct?
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domination2580
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domination2580
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You could start with that dose, but you will need to measure alk daily to get a daily dosage, that spread across many intervals per day is the best way to make things stable. There is no way of knowing a dose to begin, it can only be estimated, this is do to the type of corals kept, and the size of the corals. That said, begin somewhere, and then test. If tomorrow at the same time you test(24hour cycle), and it is higher than previous day, then dose 15 then test again next day, the same applies opposite too. I would not worry over calcium and mag, your calcium will likely be close to that of alk, but not always an absolute. Your ca and mag will be depending on where you set your alk. So for alk at around 7.0dkh, your calcium would be dialed in around 390-415 and mag around 1240-1300. The higher the alk concentration, then the higher the ca and mag. This is not always an absolute, as mag can cause problems if too low, whereas most experience no negative effects with high mag. Do not over think this one. Try to mimic your water changes to where you keep your values. I run ULNS with sps corals, for this I like lower numbers, it so happens that the Probiotic Salt I use is exactly where I choose my numbers, so no corrections needed on water change water, from a fortifying standpoint. If I were keeping mostly LPS corals, I may choose to run non-ULNS, and maintain higher mineral concentration, so maybe 8-9dkh, 450 ca, and 1450 mag. Hope this all makes sense 
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domination2580
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Is this using ca plus? That is what I got in.You could start with that dose, but you will need to measure alk daily to get a daily dosage, that spread across many intervals per day is the best way to make things stable. There is no way of knowing a dose to begin, it can only be estimated, this is do to the type of corals kept, and the size of the corals. That said, begin somewhere, and then test. If tomorrow at the same time you test(24hour cycle), and it is higher than previous day, then dose 15 then test again next day, the same applies opposite too. I would not worry over calcium and mag, your calcium will likely be close to that of alk, but not always an absolute. Your ca and mag will be depending on where you set your alk. So for alk at around 7.0dkh, your calcium would be dialed in around 390-415 and mag around 1240-1300. The higher the alk concentration, then the higher the ca and mag. This is not always an absolute, as mag can cause problems if too low, whereas most experience no negative effects with high mag. Do not over think this one. Try to mimic your water changes to where you keep your values. I run ULNS with sps corals, for this I like lower numbers, it so happens that the Probiotic Salt I use is exactly where I choose my numbers, so no corrections needed on water change water, from a fortifying standpoint. If I were keeping mostly LPS corals, I may choose to run non-ULNS, and maintain higher mineral concentration, so maybe 8-9dkh, 450 ca, and 1450 mag. Hope this all makes sense
Yes, use it and KH plus to balance the alk and ca while allowing the mag to fall.
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domination2580
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So do I use the amount i figured out or what you said. It says it raises it by 10 if you use so much
This cannot be determined unless you choose an amount and dose then test the next day, type of corals, size, tank conditions, flow, all determine amounts, no set formula
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domination2580
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If this is test and error then why do they state how much a certain amount will raise it by 10?This cannot be determined unless you choose an amount and dose then test the next day, type of corals, size, tank conditions, flow, all determine amounts, no set formula
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This is just an average and basic suggestion. Again, start with 20 ml on alk and ca, test the next day at the same time. If you go up in values, then decrease, if you go down in values, then increase. There is no "set it and forget it" when it comes to reefing. There is also no "one best way", too many variables to consider. The best thing you can do is become intimate with your tank, and understand each and every intricacy within the system. After all, this masterpiece belongs to you and no other, so take people's advice with a grain of salt. I keep an aquarium log and weekly test all parameters, I do so on Sunday, just my routine. I do water changes on Saturday. I test alk every 3 days or so, but each week all parameters are logged. This way, I can look back and adjust my dosing up or down based on my results. Eventually, this will stabilize and adjustments will come slowly, once you dial in, I would advise to use a doser, this way you can automate the process and spread dosing out over the course of several deliveries per day, this will allow the system to become quite stable, this is where you will see marked improvement in health and color. Cheers.
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domination2580
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Agreed. Just to be sure. Ur talking about alk + and cal+ correct?
correct as mag seems to be in line, no need to buffer at this time
as mag seems to be in line, no need to buffer at this time
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domination2580
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Idk if this matters but I tested the tank for mag today and somehow I got 1350....im kind of at a loss as why it was showing higher before but now it is showing correct?
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domination2580
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Ok guys so far mag has come perfectly into place! Idk why or how it was reading way off for the longest time but everything looks perfect! Alk is 7, cal is 415 after adding the cal +, mag 1320. It dropped from 1350! Everything is finally getting into place! Three only thing is nitrates, still using np pro and pro bio s. But still no drop of nitrates. But i took out a rock I think i forgot to cycle and had a lot of nitrates and phosphates in it. It had to much algae on it.. and it was the only rock with so much on it. Will be changing the life bio fill and phosphate minus tomorrow for fresh. Might use less of the phosphate minus due to no phosphates bring measured even doubling the test from salifert.
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domination2580
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What do @Perry, @120reefkeeper, @jsker think about automating the dose of np pro and pro bio s? Can i use the np pro and pro bio s on the same day as pro bio f?
