How does all for reef work?

[zachtyd]

Just curious considering it for my 30 gallon and 15 gallon just curious as to how it keeps things stable if maybe more calcium is being consumed than alk?

 

[DEWreefing]

Have you check your mag? You might just be precipitating out calcium.

 

[zachtyd]

Have you check your mag? You might just be precipitating out calcium.

I use reef crystals for mag in weekly WCs but I haven’t personally seen any difference but was just curious if that would be a thing because my 30 gallon is a mixed reef while my 15 is all softies and lps

 

[DEWreefing]

Are you checking your numbers daily or once a week? Are you testing your newly mixed salt water?

 

[zachtyd]

Are you checking your numbers daily or once a week? Are you testing your newly mixed salt water?

I test every 2-3 days but when I switched to reef crystals for the first few water changes I tested water and it was pretty consistent for the batch I have so I don’t test anymore for mixing the salt other than salinity but plan to every new bucked

 

[DEWreefing]

Make sure you are mixing the salt in the bag so no elements are lower or higher. When I use to change water 2 years ago I would pull the bag and mix it around for consistency.

 

[zachtyd]

Make sure you are mixing the salt in the bag so no elements are lower or higher. When I use to change water 2 years ago I would pull the bag and mix it around for consistency.

Never thought of that to be honest! Thanks man I will definitely do that for now on I really appreciate that info!

 

[DEWreefing]

Definitely check your mag could be causing an imbalance

 

[zachtyd]

Definitely check your mag could be causing an imbalance

I’ll check it for sure!

 

[zachtyd]

Definitely check your mag could be causing an imbalance

So corals should consume calcium and all evenly?

 

[DEWreefing]

They will use alk more which is why I say to check mag should be around 1350 to 1400

 

[zachtyd]

They will use alk more which is why I say to check mag should be around 1350 to 1400

Alright awesome and when I do a weekly mag check it’s always around 1300 so should I try to get it up to those numbers?

 

[DEWreefing]

I keep mine at around 1360 1300 should be good though are you dosing alk?

 

[zachtyd]

I keep mine at around 1360 1300 should be good though are you dosing alk?

Yes I’m looking for a better supplement line to dose though I’m using the rest of my bottle I got as a starter it’s pro buffer dkh looking to get either an all in one or a 2-part method I just want to get great colors and stability with little crash risk for my tanks and planning to add more acros to my 30 gallon

 

[DSC reef]

I would test daily the big 3 to see your tanks consumption rate. Typically with weekly consistent water changes magnesium doesn't need dosed. Reef Crystal's has elevated alkalinity and calcium levels. If you decide to dose I would go 2 part versus all in one, I've never had a tank consume equal parts of anything so IMO there's more control of dosing what you need.

 

[zachtyd]

I would test daily the big 3 to see your tanks consumption rate. Typically with weekly consistent water changes magnesium doesn't need dosed. Reef Crystal's has elevated alkalinity and calcium levels. If you decide to dose I would go 2 part versus all in one, I've never had a tank consume equal parts of anything so IMO there's more control of dosing what you need.

Sounds good!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just curious considering it for my 30 gallon and 15 gallon just curious as to how it keeps things stable if maybe more calcium is being consumed than alk?

How would it be consuming more? I think a big imbalance is testing error, not an actual imbalance.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So corals should consume calcium and all evenly?

Yes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Definitely check your mag could be causing an imbalance

Magnesium at any possible level from none to very high does not cause an imbalance in consumption of alk and calcium. It primarily just impacts the rate at which they are consumed together in the standard ratio of about 18-20 ppm calcium for each 1 meq/L (2.8 dKH) of alkalinity.

 

[zachtyd]

Yes.

Thank you randy!