Magnesium killing Chaeto ?

[Coinzmans Reef]

Hi all,

Here is my question can high Magnesium wipe out Chaeto? Can dosing Red Sea reef elements in refugium wipe out Chaeto? Obviously my Chaeto is dying off. I also have green hair algae growing in between the Chaeto. The die off seemed to coincide with the other algae growing on it. The refugium is 10 months old with only the Chaeto and a Tunze light for 12 hours. The Chaeto was growing up until last month when I noticed my magnesium levels shot up from 1380 to 1500. During the period the Magnesium shot up I switched to Red Sea coral pro salt, prior I used Red Sea salt that is a difference of 170 mg so I know what the higher level is from. The tank is XL 525 with no mods to tank or sump, 300 skimmer, 3- led 90s for lights and medium density of corals and fish.

My levels are;

Magnesium= 1500
Salt= 1.0255
Temp= 78.8F
Calcium= 440
DKH= 9.5 / 10
PH= 8.2
Nitrates=0
Phosphates= 6 ppb (ultra low range Hanna)

 

[Mical]

Yes high levels of MAG can kill chaeto. A couple of years ago I had a green hair algae problem and it was suggested by an old time reefer to bump my mag up to 1500+ using Kents Tech M - within 2 weeks it wiped the green hair algae out but took chaeto with it. Luckily chaeto is pretty inexpensive.

 

[Coinzmans Reef]

That's what I was thinking also heard of raising Mag to wipe out algae just didn't know what levels needed to be maintained. So it seems like 1500 is what it takes. Thanks.

 

[airmotive]

I attempted to wipe out a bryopsis infestation with elevated Mg (per R2R recommendation). Bryopsis survived, cheato died.

 

[Mical]

I attempted to wipe out a bryopsis infestation with elevated Mg (per R2R recommendation). Bryopsis survived, cheato died.

Some say Kents Tech M has other ingredients along w/Mag that decimates algae. That I can't confirm..

 

[vetteguy53081]

That mag is high and will do it. They are big on light and iron content

 

[Coinzmans Reef]

I wonder if what I suspect to be green hair algae is actually the Chaeto dying off ? It resembles the type of algae which grows on the glass at the top of the tank that has been left to its own for months with low flow. Its not like true hair algae but more of a mushy floating blob.