Lowering Mg

FarmerTy · Jun 30, 2016

Any way to lower Mg without large water changes?

I'm pretty sure there is no easy way other than that and even with that will take a lot, but I just wanted to ask here first before having to do water changes.

I accidentally overdosed my Mg and it's causing a problem for my snails. All other tank inhabitants have no issues as expected.

AdamNC · Jun 30, 2016

Only 2 ways I know of. WC or let it naturally fall at a rate of about 1-2ppm per day.

FarmerTy · Jun 30, 2016

AdamNC said:
Only 2 ways I know of. WC or let it naturally fall at a rate of about 1-2ppm per day.

Boo, it'll ruin my no water change record if I go that route or I'll have dead snails waiting for it to go down naturally.

Guess its water change time!

jason2459 · Jun 30, 2016

What is your Mg level? Snails get lethargic above 1500-1800 or so. Above that they could kind of go into a coma but IME will recover. Many think they died.

FarmerTy · Jun 30, 2016

jason2459 said:
What is your Mg level? Snails get lethargic above 1500-1800 or so. Above that they will kind of go into a coma but IME will recover. Many think they died.

1800 ppm currently. I've dosed Tech M in the past to get rid of bryopsis in my old tank and have seen the lethargic state of the snails. I know if its prolonged for an extended period, they will eventually die, probably from starvation if anything else.

That's why I wanted to lower it back to 1400 ppm and re-activate them as it were. Haha.

I'm currently brewing lots of saltwater. It's going to take a lot of new water to dilute 1800 ppm down to 1400 ppm when the stock salt mix gives me 1300 ppm. Oiy!

jason2459 · Jun 30, 2016

Personally, I think you are fine and could let it drift back down on it's own.

FarmerTy · Jun 30, 2016

jason2459 said:
Personally, I think you are fine and could let it drift back down on it's own.

I would but I literally have snails laying upside down on my rocks. It won't take long before they are all dead.

FarmerTy · Jun 30, 2016

I haven't changed my water in 2 years so probably wouldn't hurt to get a little refresh in there. [emoji6]

jason2459 · Jun 30, 2016

FarmerTy said:
I haven't changed my water in 2 years so probably wouldn't hurt to get a little refresh in there. [emoji6]

FWIW, I would do many small ones over one large one.

FarmerTy · Jun 30, 2016

jason2459 said:
FWIW, I would do many small ones over one large one.

Thanks for the advice!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 30, 2016

I agree that water change is the only way.

FarmerTy · Jul 1, 2016

60 gallon water change on 250 total volume... Mg went from 1800 ppm to 1740 ppm. Sigh.

I may turn off my CaRX and hand dose Ca and alk for a bit to prevent it from dosing Mg as well and making the Mg decrease even slower.

FarmerTy · Jul 2, 2016

Well, 120 gallons changed total and my Mg is at 1480 ppm. The snails are moving again... All in a good couple days work!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 3, 2016

Good to hear!

fab · Jul 3, 2016

Out of curiosity why do you avoid doing water changes? Is it for stability or some other husbandry reason or is it the work load, or what?

If it is just the work load them have you considered an automatic water change setup?

FarmerTy · Jul 3, 2016

fab said:
Out of curiosity why do you avoid doing water changes? Is it for stability or some other husbandry reason or is it the work load, or what?

If it is just the work load them have you considered an automatic water change setup?

My husbandry routine is geared towards no water changes. My last tank went 3 years with no water changes and my current one has gone 2 years until now. [emoji4]

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