What the #$%^ is going on every time i do a water change.

[zum14]

So I got my mag test this morning, tested using the refrence fluid, tested properly, then i tested my tank, 1125ppm, tested the salt mix i have, 1125ppm. Retested the reference and it was exactly as it said at 1300ppm. So there doesnt seem to be a swing between mix and tank to cause the commotion but it is low is it not? How would someone go about getting that up to the proper levels without just adding a bunch of mag all at once and shocking the system? Periodic small doses? Mag heavy water change? Mag heavy fresh top up? Thanks.

[Madreefer]

I use epsom salts in my top off water.

I'm sure this is posted some wheres in this site. But to save searching read this.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

[gobytron]

Lazy and didn't read the whole thread so excuse me if this is a repeat....

Any chance that with a water change and the addition of carbon your water clarity improved enough to give your coral a bit of a light shock?

[whatcaneyedo]

This article will teach you plenty about managing magnesium.

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

Use this calculator to find out how much to use. Just dissolve some magnesium salts in fresh water and add slowly to a high flow area of the tank. Do not try to increase by more than 100ppm/day

Reef Chemisty Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

[zum14]

Originally Posted by gobytron

Lazy and didn't read the whole thread so excuse me if this is a repeat....

Any chance that with a water change and the addition of carbon your water clarity improved enough to give your coral a bit of a light shock?

Well i wouldnt think so, I run a fluval 305 which has 3 compartments in it. I run a small amount of carbon in each, changine one each month trying to keep it at a constant absortion rate and also I know theres PE now so im not worried but there was way better before, thing was furry.

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

This article will teach you plenty about managing magnesium.

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

Use this calculator to find out how much to use. Just dissolve some magnesium salts in fresh water and add slowly to a high flow area of the tank. Do not try to increase by more than 100ppm/day

Reef Chemisty Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html

Thanks again, ive got to top up freshwater tonight anyways so i will do that.

[gobytron]

just a thought...

when I added carbon to my sump i actually lost an acro.
It looked much like yours does prior to it succumbing to the stress.

I had not been running it previously though, so it would have made a much bigger impact for my coral which wasalso near the top of my tank.

[zum14]

Originally Posted by gobytron

just a thought...

when I added carbon to my sump i actually lost an acro.
It looked much like yours does prior to it succumbing to the stress.

I had not been running it previously though, so it would have made a much bigger impact for my coral which wasalso near the top of my tank.

Well thank you though, its still something to keep in mind for sure.

[Madreefer]

And another thought. For your filter, keep one basket with carbon (the carbon with bigger granules) and change monthly. The other 2 I would fill with small live rock rubble. Thats how I used to do it when I ran a cannister filter.

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

And another thought. For your filter, keep one basket with carbon (the carbon with bigger granules) and change monthly. The other 2 I would fill with small live rock rubble. Thats how I used to do it when I ran a cannister filter.

Agree.

But instead of 2 x LR you could go 1 of Chemi Pure or Rowa, or ZEOvit Zeolite Reactor Media.

Kevin

[zum14]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

And another thought. For your filter, keep one basket with carbon (the carbon with bigger granules) and change monthly. The other 2 I would fill with small live rock rubble. Thats how I used to do it when I ran a cannister filter.

Originally Posted by Red Coral Aquariums

Agree.

But instead of 2 x LR you could go 1 of Chemi Pure or Rowa, or ZEOvit Zeolite Reactor Media.

Kevin

Thanks for all the suggestions, im actually running rowa in a reactor. (tanks looking full nevermind the rock and fish haha ill never own another one without a sump)