Magnesium and calcium levels

[Aquattro]

Reef Crystals on it's own is probably fine.

[Metrontech]

I was having issues getting Mag and calcium up with normal water changes

Which is why I went thus route

Since then I have beem able to keep them all up and level

Ph is good and phosphate is 0-.011

Just have to sit back and allow it to go

Tank is only 3.5 months old

Originally Posted by Metrontech

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

[Aquattro]

I think for your needs, the salt is enough. What levels does it mix at?

[Metrontech]

Not sure what you mean by "my needs"

I'm slowly adding more and more lps Amd eventually sps

The salt really only gets me 300-350 cal and 1050 mag

Can never get it to be over those levels

I understood from everyone I spoke to that my Mag and calcium and alk had to be up and steady

What about using salinity instead?

Mike

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I think for your needs, the salt is enough. What levels does it mix at?

[Aquattro]

Reef Crystals should mix much higher than that. Regular IO mixes near 270 or so on Ca.
Your "needs" are to keep Ca around 400, which RC should do fine without adding stuff. I don't personally care much what Mg numbers are, but no harm raising if you like. The alk you posted is fine.

What test kit gives RC salt Ca of 350? Doesn't sound right at all

[Metrontech]

That's the first in have ever heard of not keeping. I your Mag level

It starts with Mag, then alk then Calc

I'm more confused now

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Reef Crystals should mix much higher than that. Regular IO mixes near 270 or so on Ca.
Your "needs" are to keep Ca around 400, which RC should do fine without adding stuff. I don't personally care much what Mg numbers are, but no harm raising if you like. The alk you posted is fine.

What test kit gives RC salt Ca of 350? Doesn't sound right at all

[Aquattro]

Ya, don't worry about my opinion on Mg, I'm mostly alone in that But pick some numbers, say 420 Ca, Mg 1350 or whatever, bring your tank to that and each time you make new water for a water change, raise it if needed, and do a water change. Don't worry about dosing or any of that stuff for a while, probably until you have visual and noticeable growth in stony corals.

[Reef Pilot]

As Brad says, your current parameters are just fine for LPS and softies, and you may be over concerned about your attention to Mg. I agree. Even for SPS these parameters would be good.

Having said, not a bad idea to nail down the practice of testing and maintaining all your parameters at a constant level (except MG can vary from 1050 - 1500) in preparation for adding SPS. Then it becomes very important, esp your alk, which you want to keep very constant. And of course keep N03 and P04 (which is also very important for SPS) near zero.

Good luck with your tank. I think you are on the right track.