Magnesium and calcium levels
 

Hey guys and gals

Hoping someone can help

My levels are barely lowering week over week

My magnesium haven't gotten under 1400 and my calcium isn't going under 450

I am not dosing, I'm using pharmaceutical grade crystals with 5/3 mix for Mag

I read about people dosing, if I dose I would overload my tank

I'm keeping lps, softies and an anemone (which is doing really well )

Using a 300w led fixture

ALK ranges from 9-10

Salinity 1.025

Thanks for any input!

You don't have anything that's really using any. The LPS will use a bit over time, but water changes would likely keep up. Those are minerals and don't evaporate, they only deplete if things are using it to grow.

How do I get them to use it
 

So how do I get them to use more?

I mean if everyone is dosing there must be something I need to adjust

Everyone isn't dosing, only those that are and post about it. Unless you have a lot of coral using Ca for building skeletal tissue, you won't use it. If you want to use more, buy more stony coral :)
LPS use a bit, but grow slow. Softies use a tiny amount, nothing you'd notice. Anemones, nada.

Thanks Brad
 

So then do I need weekly water changes?

Is there a pro and con to not doing them?

I mean if my levels are food why bother?

Yes. Water changes replenish elements you don't test for and dilute the build up of nutrients. Reefing isn't just about Ca and Mg. 20% biweekly will likely cover all your needs, and you save a whack of cash not having to dose. Consider yourself fortunate!

Hey your lucky! Your saving money. The money your saving right now could be going towards SPS frags:biggrin:

Your parameters are good other than your Ca is a tad high. I shoot for 420

So higher Calc is bad? Does it affect the lps etc?

Not bad per se, but not needed. Ca on a reef is about 380ish. That's all you NEED. We keep it a bit higher in tanks to account for any sudden drops that might happen, giving us some wiggle room. Aiming for 400-420 is fine and leaves you that room.
What salt are you using, and how did you get to 450?

calcium carbonate
 

I purchase pharmaceutical grade from a guy here in the city

Its pure calcium carbonate

Also using Reef Crystals with the MAG and CAL added

Just did a 15 GALLON water change, I will do my reg testing later

Thanks again