how do I lower my alk and mag???

[Undertaker]

I tested my parameters two days ago using red sea pro test kit to start dosing 2 part. my ca was 400, alk was 6.7, and mag was 1560. I dosed ca and alk the recommended dose using brs calculator. i tested my parameters yesterday and my ca was 430, alk was 10.5, and mag was still 1560. today i tested and came up with ca 430 , alk 15, and mag still 1560. how can i lower my alk and mag? or do i need to worry about it? Also i know co2 raises your alk and have had a house full of people the last couple of day. I have my return breaking the surface of the tank.

 

[ahiggins]

Holy moley that's high. If your salt mix makes up at 9ish alk, you could do a series of small water changes. Once a day like 3-5%
That's what I would do but there may be a better option.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

eek. re test.
water changes.

 

[malacoda]

Those are some huge jumps. You used actual water volume and not tank volume when plugging 'water volume' into the BRS calculator, right?

Definitely several small water changes over the next few days. And, of course, no more dosing until it is back down to normal and you find the cause of the overdose.

Oh, while CO2 will affect pH, it does not affect alkalinity. More info on that (from Randy-Holmes-Farley) here.

 

[jenreefer]

Those are some huge jumps. You used actual water volume and not tank volume when plugging 'water volume' into the BRS calculator, right?

Definitely several small water changes over the next few days. And, of course, no more dosing until it is back down to normal and you find the cause of the overdose.

Oh, while CO2 will affect pH, it does not affect alkalinity. More info on that (from Randy-Holmes-Farley) here.

+1 this^ Stop dosing everything immediately. Tell me what was your calculation for Alk addition, lets check the math here.

 

[Caseyoidae]

I'd retest and do water changes like Salty said. Time also helps it get used up. I did the red sea mag test wrong for 6 months and always thought my mag was high (1600ish). Tank and corals didn't suffer because my parameters remained consistent but growth was not amazing.. it happens lol

 

[Undertaker]

Those are some huge jumps. You used actual water volume and not tank volume when plugging 'water volume' into the BRS calculator, right?

Definitely several small water changes over the next few days. And, of course, no more dosing until it is back down to normal and you find the cause of the overdose.

Oh, while CO2 will affect pH, it does not affect alkalinity. More info on that (from Randy-Holmes-Farley) here.

yes i did actual water volume. i retested my alk just now and it was 8.6 so i guess the 15 result was operator error. Still confused with the high mg. i havent dosed any mg.

 

[Caseyoidae]

Make sure you are doing the first step in the mag test correct. 1 drop every 15 seconds for a total of five drops part A. Then 5 drops part b at one time, shake for a minute and then Titration. The first part was my problem

 

[Undertaker]

Make sure you are doing the first step in the mag test correct. 1 drop every 15 seconds for a total of five drops part A. Then 5 drops part b at one time, shake for a minute and then Titration. The first part was my problem

ok thx i'm gonna give that a try

 

[Cory]

There is a few ways to drop alk:

1) stop dosing
2) do a large 60% water change with saltwater with lower alk.
3) dose lanthanum chloride po4 remover
4) precipitate limewater overdose (not recommended)
5) add tiny amounts of acid like muriatic acid (required calculation)
6) decrease salinity by adding fresh water in place of salt water (not recommended)

 

[Caseyoidae]

just remember when you use the brs calculator that it is a rough estimate on how to get a level from point A to B. The daily consumption in your tank is what you will ultimately want to figure out. That is how much alk, cal, mag are my corals using everyday? It's really a matter of guessing and changing daily dosing/testing until you figure out how to achieve your desired numbers consistently. I write it all down in a journal. Also when you add another coral or two your consumption may go up thus requiring more additives. Keeps it fun!