need advice on testing and dosing mag/alk/calcium

custom58hd · 11/19/2014, 09:02 PM

I just upgraded from a 55 with a 10 gallon sump to a 90 with a 30 gallon sump/fuge.
I have never tested for magnesium until yesterday. I am using a Red Sea Pro test kit and I am getting unusually high readings. Using the scale on the card I figure I am getting somewhere in the vicinity of 4000!! I am using two full syringes +0.2 ml of titrant. I haven't tested it against a fresh mix of Red Sea salt yet though. I am mixing a bucket now.
I have been test calcium and Alk daily for a few weeks trying to establish a depletion rates to set up my new doser. Using Red Sea pro kits for each, I get a calcium readings of 450 for a couple days in a row then it may drop a bit. the lowest I have seen is 420 one week after a water change. It doesn't seem to be getting consumed while my Alk reading does drop about 1 dkh a day.

I have have
3 Acans (about 6 polys each)
1 fairly large hammer
1 toadstool
2 small candy canes
2 small torches
a few small zoa colonies
1 large Paly colony
6 mushrooms

2 clowns
1 flasher wrasse
1 watchman goby

6 hermits
1 coral banded shrimp
1 pistol shrimp

I have been in the hobby just about just about 2 years. Went from a 35 hex to a 55 about 6 months ago and went to the 90 last week. is it too early to to be testing for depletion since I just about doubled my water volumn??

any and all input/advice and greatly appreciated

Thank you

Crusinjimbo · 11/20/2014, 05:41 AM

I would get a sanity check on that MAG reading. A LFS should be able to double check your process and results. I switched from Red Sea Pro ALK testing to a Hanna for readability purposes. I can read a number much easier than interpret color variances.

Mark9 · 11/20/2014, 06:21 AM

Are you doing the test right?
Only 2 ml of tank water for the mag test.
Maybe watch all 3 videos, as your calcium results looks close to margin of error.
And, you don't have that many corals.
I'd think regular water changes would pretty much do it.

custom58hd · 11/22/2014, 10:19 AM

Thank You Mark!!
I need to learn to read...I was using the full 5 ml in the syringe. going to retest right now

custom58hd · 11/22/2014, 10:33 AM

I feel much better now.
Mag is 1480

I have been religous about weekly water changes and all my levels do seem to be pretty consistant. I have had really good luck with LPS and softies. SPS are another story, I had a birds nest for about 6 months but it never really grew. I was thinking dosing might help to level off even the smallest parameter changes.
the stress of of the tank change killed it and an acropora....I will try SPS's again in a few months after this tank has really stabilized.
Thank you both for your input.

11/19/2014, 09:02 PM	#1
custom58hd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: So. NH Posts: 30	need advice on testing and dosing mag/alk/calcium I just upgraded from a 55 with a 10 gallon sump to a 90 with a 30 gallon sump/fuge. I have never tested for magnesium until yesterday. I am using a Red Sea Pro test kit and I am getting unusually high readings. Using the scale on the card I figure I am getting somewhere in the vicinity of 4000!! I am using two full syringes +0.2 ml of titrant. I haven't tested it against a fresh mix of Red Sea salt yet though. I am mixing a bucket now. I have been test calcium and Alk daily for a few weeks trying to establish a depletion rates to set up my new doser. Using Red Sea pro kits for each, I get a calcium readings of 450 for a couple days in a row then it may drop a bit. the lowest I have seen is 420 one week after a water change. It doesn't seem to be getting consumed while my Alk reading does drop about 1 dkh a day. I have have 3 Acans (about 6 polys each) 1 fairly large hammer 1 toadstool 2 small candy canes 2 small torches a few small zoa colonies 1 large Paly colony 6 mushrooms 2 clowns 1 flasher wrasse 1 watchman goby 6 hermits 1 coral banded shrimp 1 pistol shrimp I have been in the hobby just about just about 2 years. Went from a 35 hex to a 55 about 6 months ago and went to the 90 last week. is it too early to to be testing for depletion since I just about doubled my water volumn?? any and all input/advice and greatly appreciated Thank you

11/20/2014, 05:41 AM	#2
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	I would get a sanity check on that MAG reading. A LFS should be able to double check your process and results. I switched from Red Sea Pro ALK testing to a Hanna for readability purposes. I can read a number much easier than interpret color variances. __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

11/20/2014, 06:21 AM	#3
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	Are you doing the test right? Only 2 ml of tank water for the mag test. Maybe watch all 3 videos, as your calcium results looks close to margin of error. And, you don't have that many corals. I'd think regular water changes would pretty much do it. Last edited by Mark9; 11/20/2014 at 06:29 AM.

11/22/2014, 10:19 AM	#4
custom58hd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: So. NH Posts: 30	Thank You Mark!! I need to learn to read...I was using the full 5 ml in the syringe. going to retest right now

11/22/2014, 10:33 AM	#5
custom58hd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: So. NH Posts: 30	I feel much better now. Mag is 1480 I have been religous about weekly water changes and all my levels do seem to be pretty consistant. I have had really good luck with LPS and softies. SPS are another story, I had a birds nest for about 6 months but it never really grew. I was thinking dosing might help to level off even the smallest parameter changes. the stress of of the tank change killed it and an acropora....I will try SPS's again in a few months after this tank has really stabilized. Thank you both for your input.