High kh & Mg, low Ca and ph!

Sicklid · Nov 24, 2013

7 days after last tests and i got new reads;
Temp: 77F
SG: 1.025
Using API test kit:
NO3 0
PH 7.8 at morning, 8 at nigh
PO4 0
Using Red Sea test kit:
Mg 1640 ppm
Kh 14 dkh
Ca 440 ppm
Im feeding less but same routine that is once a day, however I noticed that Mg levels got higher by 80 ppm and Ca also by 40 ppm, and NO3 is where I want it. Ca is good but Mg is kind of high. I have been doing same wcs that are 2 g every 4 days.
My Reef Crystal salt mix is gone and I want to switch to Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix.
Do you guys think switching salt brand will help me lower Mg levels?
Thanks for reading and opinions!!!

LowezAkar24 · Nov 24, 2013

If you're gonna switching why not go to Regular IO? Make sure you get the latest batch of IO if you do. It has about 400ppm Cal and 11 dKH of Alk. What are you currently dosing? I have used Red Sea Coral Pro as well. I think the Regular Red Sea Salt is more friendlier than the Coral Pro as far as Calcium and Alk. What is your magnesium when you prepare a fresh batch of salt?

Sicklid · Nov 24, 2013

Im not dosing anything right now,and i have'nt checked the levels of the new water. Good point!!

RacinRevo0818 · Nov 24, 2013

It was for sure the buffer you added that is bringing your alk way high. Ph on the other hand is a whole topic on it sell.. Some say 8.4, some say they never check, and some crash there tanks trying to get it perfect and truth be told I have never seen a tank crash where the salinity, cal, alk, and mag where in range and the tank crashed because of low ph issues. You might not being getting the growth like say Jason Fox but you have only been doing this for 2.5 months. Those dang so called ph buffer's have trapped us all at one point or another so just take throw it away!! or hide it really well.

As for your alk being high its going to take a while since you dont really have anything consuming it in the tank just yet. RC seems to mix around 12ish for me, so your at 14 so just give it time. I always say nothing good happens fast in reef keeping. Right now everything is still alive and use to 14, drastic changes in any parameter equals problems. So test your water and go from there, think about maybe buying instant oceans instead of reef crystals till you see your system demanding more of the major 3 alk, cal, and mag.

Api test kits work great for alk, cal, and ph so your good there. But for the other things po4 and no3 there just about useless. I have hanna and to be honest I never use them. Water changes should take care of all your needs as long as your using RODI water.

So I would recommend just doing your water changes religiously and sit back and enjoy the tank a while while things stabilize. Best of luck and just because it says it on the bottle doesn't mean we need it!!!

beaslbob · Nov 24, 2013

glb said:
I wouldn't worry about your ph. My tank has the same numbers and it's fine.

I agree those numbers are not far off.

I would use macro algaes in a refugium which would probably raise the PH.

and add some mrs wages picking lime in the top off water as well.

most importantly I would start using the diy two part method.

But even with all that lengthly reply IMHO your parameters are not all that far off.

my .02

Sicklid · Nov 24, 2013

Thanks alot guys for reading and giving good recomendations, I will keep posting test results next week.

Freya33 · Jan 16, 2014

May sound silly but I am trying o stabilize mine with the same issue... but what is diy two part method?

Reefing Madness · Jan 16, 2014

Freya33 said:
May sound silly but I am trying o stabilize mine with the same issue... but what is diy two part method?

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
Aquarium Chemistry: A Homemade Two-Part Calcium And Alkalinity Additive System ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Freya33 · Jan 16, 2014

Thank you! I think when I added the buffer to help raise my pH I also just ended up raising my Alk, which is counter productive!

rworegon · Jan 16, 2014

Personally I don't think you need to worry about two=part dosing at all or adding pickling lime to your top off. Your CA us on the high end but ok and your Alk is really too high IMO. Your livestock list is nothing that will use much ALK or CA. These are the two things that two-part address. I stopped chasing PH numbers. As long as they are within reasonable range I let it go where it wants. It will naturally be lower at night without the lights on and lower in the winter without fresh air coming in the house through open windows. Chasing numbers has crashed more tanks than just about anything else in the hobby. watch your critters closely, they will tell you when things are getting off. I don't think you need reef crystals or Coral Pro salt. You just don't have the livestock that would justify the higher numbers or the higher cost.