High Alk/Mg, low alk

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Hello guys. So I’m having a problem here. Yesterday , Sunday (my test days after my WC), I tested my parameters and notice my major elements in weird places. The previous week my Allalinity was beginning to drop after I added a new two head hammer coral, so I knew my alkalinity was out of place. I tested my Parameters after my WC and my elements read : Alk-6.7dkh, cal-575ppm, and Mg-1800ppm. I ordered all for reef a few days ago , before I knew that my other two calcium and magnesium were too high. I’m not sure whether to purchase 2 part, or Red Sea foundation instead . Any ideas as to what to purchase to dose alkalinity?

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Also what should I do about calcium and magnesium ? How is it that my major elects are in weird places even after I’ve been doing weekly water changes, and only having two hammers in my tank ? Thank you guys !

 

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

Wish I knew, I have a similar problem.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Wish I knew, I have a similar problem.

I just went to my LFS today and bought Red Sea B part alkality (A,B,C for the three trace elements) and dosed, my alk went from 6.7 to 7.2, I’m increasing by .5 dkh a day, the most you would want to do is 1dkh a day, the slower better . I haven’t checked my other elements , I’m going to tomorrow once I water change and will check what me calcium come out to and mag

 

[Jekyl]

How did your calcium and magnesium get that high?

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Wish I knew, I have a similar problem.

I’m going to 9dkh , once I reach that I will measure how much my alk decreases in a certain span of days as I only have two corals. My corals already look more open and colorful

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

How did your calcium and magnesium get that high?

I don’t even know I only have two hammers and have never dosed anything. I retested 5 times and got the same results

 

[Jekyl]

I don’t even know I only have two hammers and have never dosed anything. I retested 5 times and got the same results

How are you testing salinity? Without dosing they shouldn't be able to reach that level.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

How are you testing salinity? Without dosing they shouldn't be able to reach that level.

I have a salt refractometer I use from BRS. I double check the salinity every water change. I keep it at 1.025 . That’s what I’m saying I am as clueless as anybody would. I will retest tomorrow and show you guys the results

 

[Jekyl]

I have a salt refractometer I use from BRS. I double check the salinity every water change. I keep it at 1.025 . That’s what I’m saying I am as clueless as anybody would. I will retest tomorrow and show you guys the results

Do you have calibration fluid for it? I check mine before every use. I have to calibrate it very often.

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Do you have calibration fluid for it? I check mine before every use. I have to calibrate it very often.

Yes I do I double check that too. This is why I’m so confused . My test kit isn’t old either, I don’t believe it has an expiration date on it , but I bought it last November

 

[Jekyl]

Have you checked to see what your salt mix is supposed to mix to? Parameters should be listed.

 

[Jekyl]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Have you checked to see what your salt mix is supposed to mix to? Parameters should be listed.

This is what BRS said : ‘Upon BRS analysis - hw-Marinemix Reefer contained Calcium at 445-450 ppm, Alk of 9.0 dKH, Magnesium at 1380 ppm.’

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

I will retest tomorrow however and come back to you with new test results .

 

[Angel_V_the_reefer]

Parameters alk, cal, and mag results today after my water change , been dosing Red Sea alk the past days and slowly getting up to 9dKH