Quick question about raising alk, cal, mag.

[dmh41532]

All three are low, does it matter which order I raise them?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Nope, unless magnesium is truly very low, but that's very uncommon.

 

[dmh41532]

Mag is around 1200

 

[GainesvilleReef]

If all are low. Your salinity may be low. If needed, correct that first before adjusting.

 

[dmh41532]

Specific gravity is 1.025

Nope, unless magnesium is truly very low, but that's very uncommon.

Oh and thank you for the fast response!

 

[JimWelsh]

Specific gravity is 1.025

You say that with great confidence. How did you determine that?

 

[dmh41532]

The specific gravity is 1.025

You say that with great confidence. How did you determine that?

I use a hydrometer.

 

[JimWelsh]

Floating glass hydrometer, or plastic swing-arm? If the former, are you paying careful attention to the temperature? If the latter, please get and know how to properly calibrate a refractometer.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The order won't matter in this case. Assuming the sg is accurate, bringing it up to 1.0264 (35 ppt) will boost magnesium to 1267 ppm.

 

[dmh41532]

I'm confident it's accurate, I rinse the hydrometer before and after each use. I also clean it with vinegar regularly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm confident it's accurate, I rinse the hydrometer before and after each use. I also clean it with vinegar regularly.

OK. However, when I tested some for accuracy, some were and some were not. It is not always user error that makes them inaccurate.

Fortunately, our creatures generally thrive in a wide range of salinity so high accuracy is not always critical.