High Mg, Ca, and Alk with no coraline

[Phish2coralreef]

I am currently trying to figure out why these levels are so high in my 40b mixed reef. Currently no sps. Parameters are as follows tested today:
1.025
Nitrate: 4-6
Phosphate: .08-.12
PH: 8.7
Alk: 11.2
Ca: 480
Mg: 1600
All tested with red sea pro, and are fairly stable each week.

Equipment list:
2× AI prime HD
Jebao wavemaker
29 gallon sump
Simplicity skimmer
12 gallon refugium section with cheato
2× filter socks changed every 3 days
Marine pure bio blocks

So I understand that the later four are on the high side, but that's where they have been for a few months. I do not dose anything other that carbon dosing for a few weeks before I setup my refugium. (About a month ago and growing very well) I dosed purple up twice a few months back to try and get some coraline growing but didn't and still haven't had any grow.(I've done lots of routine water changes since then so hard to believe that would still be a factor) I've had a cyano issue for awhile now as well, but seems to be getting better since the refugium but it's still hard to tell. It definitely hasn't gone away completely and is still growing but not nearly as bad. I do at least a 5 gallon water change once per week, and use regular instant ocean since I still haven't had any reason to switch to something higher-end. So my question is why are my parameters this high, with no coraline growth, and a cyano problem. All coral and livestock are healthy and growing. Tank is about 7 months old. I'll post pictures if needed.

 

[Jvalle]

I am currently trying to figure out why these levels are so high in my 40b mixed reef. Currently no sps. Parameters are as follows tested today:
1.025
Nitrate: 4-6
Phosphate: .08-.12
PH: 8.7
Alk: 11.2
Ca: 480
Mg: 1600
All tested with red sea pro, and are fairly stable each week.

Equipment list:
2× AI prime HD
Jebao wavemaker
29 gallon sump
Simplicity skimmer
12 gallon refugium section with cheato
2× filter socks changed every 3 days
Marine pure bio blocks

So I understand that the later four are on the high side, but that's where they have been for a few months. I do not dose anything other that carbon dosing for a few weeks before I setup my refugium. (About a month ago and growing very well) I dosed purple up twice a few months back to try and get some coraline growing but didn't and still haven't had any grow.(I've done lots of routine water changes since then so hard to believe that would still be a factor) I've had a cyano issue for awhile now as well, but seems to be getting better since the refugium but it's still hard to tell. It definitely hasn't gone away completely and is still growing but not nearly as bad. I do at least a 5 gallon water change once per week, and use regular instant ocean since I still haven't had any reason to switch to something higher-end. So my question is why are my parameters this high, with no coraline growth, and a cyano problem. All coral and livestock are healthy and growing. Tank is about 7 months old. I'll post pictures if needed.

hi you should dose prime and stability daily. I have been doing it for 3 years daily and haven’t done any water changes and my levels are pristine. Maybe if u are using tap water it may have high alk plus the instant ocean already has alk and calcium.

 

[Jvalle]

Run a phosphate pad too in one of the filter socks or phosphate media. Thx

 

[Phish2coralreef]

Run a phosphate pad too in one of the filter socks or phosphate media. Thx

Okay I'll consider that, thanks. Also I should add I do use 0tds rodi water i make and store at home.

 

[Jvalle]

Seriously. Bacteria and nitrate breakdown are the key. Prime and stability together do the job. I would also change filter socks every 2 days and run carbon media and phosphate media or use the reactor. Also clean the chaeto . Put in a bucket and rinse it well with tank water once a week . That’s also key . Check out some pic of my tank so u can see it works for me. In big into zoas. I also have some really old corals. Enjoy.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

hi you should dose prime and stability daily. I have been doing it for 3 years daily and haven’t done any water changes and my levels are pristine. Maybe if u are using tap water it may have high alk plus the instant ocean already has alk and calcium.

why dose any prime at all? I see no reason.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am currently trying to figure out why these levels are so high in my 40b mixed reef. Currently no sps. Parameters are as follows tested today:
1.025
Nitrate: 4-6
Phosphate: .08-.12
PH: 8.7
Alk: 11.2
Ca: 480
Mg: 1600
All tested with red sea pro, and are fairly stable each week.

Equipment list:
2× AI prime HD
Jebao wavemaker
29 gallon sump
Simplicity skimmer
12 gallon refugium section with cheato
2× filter socks changed every 3 days
Marine pure bio blocks

So I understand that the later four are on the high side, but that's where they have been for a few months. I do not dose anything other that carbon dosing for a few weeks before I setup my refugium. (About a month ago and growing very well) I dosed purple up twice a few months back to try and get some coraline growing but didn't and still haven't had any grow.(I've done lots of routine water changes since then so hard to believe that would still be a factor) I've had a cyano issue for awhile now as well, but seems to be getting better since the refugium but it's still hard to tell. It definitely hasn't gone away completely and is still growing but not nearly as bad. I do at least a 5 gallon water change once per week, and use regular instant ocean since I still haven't had any reason to switch to something higher-end. So my question is why are my parameters this high, with no coraline growth, and a cyano problem. All coral and livestock are healthy and growing. Tank is about 7 months old. I'll post pictures if needed.

The pH is test error. Don’t worry about it for now.

The alk, calcium and magnesium reflect what is in your salt mix. What mix?

The nitrate and phosphate are fine.

 

[Phish2coralreef]

The pH is test error. Don’t worry about it for now.

The alk, calcium and magnesium reflect what is in your salt mix. What mix?

The nitrate and phosphate are fine.

I am currently using instant ocean.

 

[dwest]

Do you have any coralline whatsoever? Did you add any “seed” corralline? I’ve never used purple up, but I believe it is supposed to promote coralline, not seed the tank. I think it’s just a matter of time that it takes off assuming the tank was seeded or you have a small spot somewhere in the tank. I‘m with Randy in that I don’t believe the pH number. It’s hard to measure without a calibrated pH probe.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am currently using instant ocean.

If that means normal Instant Ocean and not reef crystals, I think the salinity may be higher than you think.

 

[Phish2coralreef]

Do you have any coralline whatsoever? Did you add any “seed” corralline? I’ve never used purple up, but I believe it is supposed to promote coralline, not seed the tank. I think it’s just a matter of time that it takes off assuming the tank was seeded or you have a small spot somewhere in the tank. I‘m with Randy in that I don’t believe the pH number. It’s hard to measure without a calibrated pH probe.

Yes I've seeded the tank a couple of times, that number is with a calibrated ph probe but I do agree it is still testing error.

 

[Phish2coralreef]

If that means normal Instant Ocean and not reef crystals, I think the salinity may be higher than you think.

It is regular, and I thought the same thing so I even tried recalibrating my refractometer, and then using a friends and was still coming up within 1.025 - 1.026. I was keeping it at 1.026, then decided to go down to 1.025 because of this.

 

[Phish2coralreef]

Do you have any coralline whatsoever? Did you add any “seed” corralline? I’ve never used purple up, but I believe it is supposed to promote coralline, not seed the tank. I think it’s just a matter of time that it takes off assuming the tank was seeded or you have a small spot somewhere in the tank. I‘m with Randy in that I don’t believe the pH number. It’s hard to measure without a calibrated pH probe.

And no I still dont have any coraline starting.

 

[dwest]

It sounds like your tank is doing well otherwise. I personally wouldn’t carbon dose, but many people do. I would continue your wc schedule and be patient.

 

[X-37B]

Pics please.

 

[Phish2coralreef]

Pics please.

These are pictures that I have on hand at the moment. They were taken about 12 hours after doing a wc and siphoning all the cyano off the sand bed and rock.