SPS Growth Puzzle

Sebae again · #1 07-02-2010, 11:28 PM

Are you using a Salifert alk test kit?

Aquattro · #2 07-02-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebae again

Are you using a Salifert alk test kit?

yes, 2 different kits..

Sebae again · #3 07-02-2010, 11:37 PM

I heard some people had issues with Salifert Alk test kits.

Aquattro · #4 07-02-2010, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebae again

I heard some people had issues with Salifert Alk test kits.

Possibly, but 2 kits gave the same reading, and I can't see them being more than 10% off either direction, neither case would give me these (non) results in growth. However, the current alk is a bit higher than usual, just because I haven't watched it. It's typicaly been about 20% lower, Ca has generally been no higher than 400, so it too is a bit high now, but still not "out of range" for growth.

littlesilvermax · #5 07-09-2010, 06:54 AM

I used to get major precip, but after adding HUGE amounts of magnesium it went away.

I really don't like magnesium to get below 1380 or so, and unfortunately test kits accuracy is not that great IMO.

The whole reason I got into selling magnesium was seeing how much it would cost over the course of year at the amount of Seachem Mag I was using.

lastlight · #6 07-09-2010, 07:34 AM

Sorry I can't help being such a noob. But it blows my mind that a sandbed can solidify to the point where you can't break it up! How long did that take to happen? You had creatures sifting while this occurred?

Aquattro · #7 07-09-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

Sorry I can't help being such a noob. But it blows my mind that a sandbed can solidify to the point where you can't break it up! How long did that take to happen? You had creatures sifting while this occurred?

Brett, as best I can tell, it took a few months. I had the usual compliment of critters, but no help. I've read about this kind of thing, but never actually saw it. I couldn't believe how hard the slabs were! Sand actually bonded to the bottom of rocks and I had to chisel it off with a knife.

Aquattro · #8 07-09-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlesilvermax

I used to get major precip, but after adding HUGE amounts of magnesium it went away.
.

What gets me, is when did Mg start becoming a supplement? 10 years ago nobody even heard of dosing, and there were a lot of awesome tanks out there. And for me, I guess my levels measure fine due to the large Ca reactor I run. But I've never dosed and never had a need to...

christyf5 · #9 07-09-2010, 04:06 PM

lol are you shaking your fist as you say this, old man?

I agree tho, 10 years ago there were a lot of nice tanks out there that to my knowledge, weren't dosing magnesium. However, my tank wasn't one of them and since dosing magnesium (amongst other things), now it is

Have you ever thought about having your water completely tested? I don't know if that would help but it might shed some light on things.

http://www.aquariumwatertesting.com/

I thought there was a canadian version of that company but I can't seem to find it.

Doug · #10 07-10-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

What gets me, is when did Mg start becoming a supplement? 10 years ago nobody even heard of dosing, and there were a lot of awesome tanks out there. And for me, I guess my levels measure fine due to the large Ca reactor I run. But I've never dosed and never had a need to...

Perhaps the salt we used then, even the same brand had enough in it??

I cant see you having a magnesium problem if running a co2 reactor. When I did, using CaribSea media, my mag was always over 1300.

On the other hand, your co2 reactor, better named alkalinity reactor as you know, may be contributing to your calcification problem. Just a thought.