Bleached Coraline Algae -A Sign Of......?

MitchM · #1 07-29-2010, 11:26 PM

I would consider Mg almost 30% low to be an issue.

Mitch

DiverDude · #2 07-29-2010, 11:38 PM

Oh, sure...gang up on me !

I've been working my Mg up and it's higher than it's ever been before. So yes, it needs to keep increasing but that's not what's causing the coraline to bleach because it would have bleached far worse before.

...and I'm only 11% down on the lower end of what Seachem says is a good range (1200-1350)

MitchM · #3 07-29-2010, 11:45 PM

With that many water changes, I would think that your Mg should be higher than that anyways.
Which salt are you using?

Mitch

DiverDude · #4 07-30-2010, 01:41 AM

Reef Crystals. I've been experimenting with how much of what to add to each 5 Gal bucket of water I make up. Right now, I'm adding 1 TSP Ca; 1TSP Mg and every other change, 1/2 TSP Sr.

I think I might double the Mg for a bit and see where it stabilizes.

blacknife · #5 07-30-2010, 06:17 AM

Just put the phosban in a nylon... err.. media bag in a high flow area, wont work as good as in the reactor but will still pull some out the pellets can get the rest, if they work as good as everyone says.

globaldesigns · #6 07-30-2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitchM

I would consider Mg almost 30% low to be an issue.

Mitch

I agree!!! Can't say it is contributing to the HA and other issues... But as I stated before, instead of using band-aid techniques, you need to have a stable tank first, then if the problems persist you can look at other things that might be causing it. I hope this makes sense.

globaldesigns · #7 07-30-2010, 04:52 PM

We are not ganging up on you. Well maybe I am

Just kidding.

The phosban in a media bag may work well, but if you want to run in the reactor just put the BioPellets in a bucket of fresh RO water and exchange the water out everyday... If it is going to be long term, just lay them out on a cookie tray with paper towel under them and let dry... I have done this and then reused successfully.

Don't you have any MG supplement, as I would get that up to the 1350, there is no reason for it being that low... Also make note that Strontium will be low also, as they tend to work together and deplete together also.

Again, I will voice my thoughts... Flow, Flow and more Flow!!! I personally think that is your problem. You have some dead areas in your tank, most likely within your rockwork, these areas are trapping the poop and stuff and thus creating issues... The goal of flow is getting it everywhere. I speak from experience!!!! Remember I had HA and Cyano, and once I got the flow throw the rockwork, VOILA!!! it went away. So just my 2 cents there. We already discussed on the phone, what I think you should try. Have you? Why not?

DiverDude · #8 08-04-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

Don't you have any MG supplement, as I would get that up to the 1350, there is no reason for it being that low... Also make note that Strontium will be low also, as they tend to work together and deplete together also.

Again, I will voice my thoughts... Flow, Flow and more Flow!!! I personally think that is your problem. You have some dead areas in your tank, most likely within your rockwork, these areas are trapping the poop and stuff and thus creating issues... The goal of flow is getting it everywhere. I speak from experience!!!! Remember I had HA and Cyano, and once I got the flow throw the rockwork, VOILA!!! it went away. So just my 2 cents there. We already discussed on the phone, what I think you should try. Have you? Why not?

Sure I have Mg. I dose it -but I guess just not enough. I've doubled-up my doses and we'll see how that goes. As for Strontium, I'm a bit torn on that one. I've read in several places that you get plenty from regular water changes and there's no need to does it at all. That said, there doesn't seem to be much danger to over dosing it either so I put 1/2 tsp of Sr in every other 5 ga water change.

On the flow topic, I tore the tank apart the other day and still couldn't find the damned sea hare remains. took me hours of plucking HA from rocks but I did manage to open up the rockwork a bit so we'll see how that goes.

Skimmer is still acting up an overflowing periodically -not that there's much to skim with all the water changes I'm doing. I'll do another tonight.

MitchM · #9 08-04-2010, 07:55 PM

I don't know if you are aware of this calculator, but this will tell you how much to add of whatever it is you use to bring up your magnesium level.

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

Mitch

DiverDude · #10 08-04-2010, 10:37 PM

Yup, I've seen several calculators. I just don't like massive changes in any tank parameter in a hurry.

Also, I'm trying to find a 'recipie' that works for my setup so that I can dose specific amounts of Ca Mg Alk with my water change each week. If I can find the 'magic' numbers then I should be able to maintain fairly stable levels with my weekly water changes and not have to do any other dosing.

Thats the idea at least.