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Unread 12/20/2009, 04:31 PM   #326
Aquarist007
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Since IO has come out with new higher levels of magnesium in its salt mix I have not had too much of an issue with mag levels.


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Unread 12/20/2009, 04:34 PM   #327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by melev View Post
I'd have to refer you to Randy's Magnesium article to provide the facts. Off the top of my head, Epsoms Salt will definitely affect salinity when a lot of it is used.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php
apology for the off topic question here

Marc, a local guy here wants a 300 gal tank but split so half can be a predators tank and the other a mixed reef. He says he got the idea from the States. Do you know of such a setup?


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I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken

Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock
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Unread 12/21/2009, 09:08 PM   #328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by melev View Post
I'd have to refer you to Randy's Magnesium article to provide the facts. Off the top of my head, Epsoms Salt will definitely affect salinity when a lot of it is used.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php
The issue with using only magnesium sulphate is the increase in sulphate concentations.


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Unread 12/29/2009, 02:52 PM   #329
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def good stuff to know and im not goin to lie i only read to page 5 so far but i have a question
i have a 90gal tank up for about 4 or 5 months with only a dendro and like 3 zoa frags..... my question is should i start playing with the Alk Mag and Cal now before i start with the SPS or after???
i am planning on doing it soon but wonder what yall think


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Unread 01/02/2010, 12:29 AM   #330
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Measure and practice keeping your parameters in check for a while before adding sps. If you have the time, I would check these daily for a couple weeks to see if and how much they change day to day.


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Unread 01/08/2010, 10:44 AM   #331
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I have a hard time maintain my calcium to 400. I am use a Kalk reactor for dosing calcium and alk. Is there anything else that I can do.


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Unread 01/08/2010, 11:11 PM   #332
Aquarist007
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Originally Posted by tyreeftank View Post
I have a hard time maintain my calcium to 400. I am use a Kalk reactor for dosing calcium and alk. Is there anything else that I can do.

how big is you tank and is it predominately sps corals?


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Unread 01/08/2010, 11:29 PM   #333
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75gal tank with couple sps corals.


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Unread 01/09/2010, 03:27 PM   #334
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You may need to buffer up the calcium with a commercial product, tyreeftank. Then the kalkwasser can maintain it.


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Unread 01/09/2010, 04:20 PM   #335
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Thank for the info. I will to buffer up with calcium.


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Unread 01/09/2010, 07:21 PM   #336
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tyreeftank View Post
Thank for the info. I will to buffer up with calcium.
suggest a chloride so it has minimum impact on the alk levels

I like using Kent Turbo Calcium

dosing can be expensive so I suggest you use one of the better quality salt mixes available on a regular basis. I like using Reef Crystals--its numbers are higher then others.

here is a list of what is in the major brands of salt mixes

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1287118


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Unread 01/09/2010, 07:27 PM   #337
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Quote:
Originally Posted by melev View Post
You may need to buffer up the calcium with a commercial product, tyreeftank. Then the kalkwasser can maintain it.

Marc---what is your preferred level for ca, alk and mag for a predominately sps tank.


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Unread 01/09/2010, 07:35 PM   #338
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Pretty much what Randy has recommended, to match NSW (Natural Sea Water) parameters.

1.026sg
8-11 dKH Alkalinity
375 - 450ppm Calcium
1300 - 1350 ppm Magnesium (I try to keep this one at 1400)


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Unread 01/11/2010, 01:37 AM   #339
mranthonymb
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssublime1 View Post
Measure and practice keeping your parameters in check for a while before adding sps. If you have the time, I would check these daily for a couple weeks to see if and how much they change day to day.
thanks i will do that forsure


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Unread 01/11/2010, 09:27 PM   #340
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capn_hylinur View Post
suggest a chloride so it has minimum impact on the alk levels ... dosing can be expensive so I suggest you use one of the better quality salt mixes available on a regular basis. I like using Reef Crystals--its numbers are higher then others.
Calcium chloride from your local pool shop is a cheap and effective substitute over expensive 'marine aquarium specific' products.

Tone


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Unread 01/13/2010, 11:17 PM   #341
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tonyf View Post
Calcium chloride from your local pool shop is a cheap and effective substitute over expensive 'marine aquarium specific' products.

Tone
you have to be careful with some pool shop grade chemicals---lots of impurities in them. Good enough for you to swim in but not your critters


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Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock
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Unread 01/14/2010, 11:47 PM   #342
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capn_hylinur View Post
you have to be careful with some pool shop grade chemicals---lots of impurities in them. Good enough for you to swim in but not your critters
of course, always use premium grade products with livestock.


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http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1650727

Current Tank Info: 500 gal reef
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Unread 01/29/2010, 05:56 AM   #343
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hey guys i just did a water test and this is what i got...

alk- 7
cal- 520


i dont have a mag test kit yet but i am in the process of getting one. i dont really dose anything for cal. but i did just do a water change, could that be why its so high? I was getting ready to dose kalk and reef builder to bump up alk but with the cal. level being high should i wait? also what would help bring that down some?

sorry i am a real noob when it comes to this stuff



Last edited by hybridazn; 01/29/2010 at 06:16 AM.
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Unread 01/31/2010, 11:06 PM   #344
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hybridazn View Post
hey guys i just did a water test and this is what i got...

alk- 7
cal- 520


i dont have a mag test kit yet but i am in the process of getting one. i dont really dose anything for cal. but i did just do a water change, could that be why its so high? I was getting ready to dose kalk and reef builder to bump up alk but with the cal. level being high should i wait? also what would help bring that down some?

sorry i am a real noob when it comes to this stuff
What is your pH?
and what salt mix are you using.
I tend to think that the test for calcium is in error if you are not doing any supplementary dosing for it.


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Unread 02/01/2010, 10:09 AM   #345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by capn_hylinur View Post
What is your pH?
and what salt mix are you using.
I tend to think that the test for calcium is in error if you are not doing any supplementary dosing for it.
sorry i should have put everything from the test results.

ph- 8.3

i use reef crystals salt mix.

i used to dose purple up but i havent in about 2-3 months. i guess i will try to do the test again and see what happens.


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Unread 02/10/2010, 08:37 PM   #346
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Great thread!! I've started useing Smart Reef 3-Part on my 120, and after 2 weeks I'm getting Alk, Ca, and Mg to finally get to my target levels 9, 450, 13-1400. I'd like to start useing a Ca Reactor I picked up (Reef Octo w/ solinoid and Milwaukee controller/meter) as I get the impression it will be easier to maintain these levels utilizing a reactor. How would I begin bringing this on line without creating a spike or drop in parameters?


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Unread 02/14/2010, 08:13 AM   #347
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ive got a question.. please help .you say low magnisium helps maintain the alk and cal.. i use coralife salt.. my alk is alway about 8.6 calcium 390 but my mag is always of the charts... i use salifert test kits.. it comes out to like1800 ... is that way too high? i thought that mag should be about 3 times the calcium. i dont have issue with the corals .. but i cant seem too get calcium much higher. i am currently using kent liquid calcium and the chart posted on page one said that i would need to add 50 some tsp to get to 425.. the recommended dose is like 4 daily..


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Unread 02/14/2010, 06:50 PM   #348
Aquarist007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woofu View Post
ive got a question.. please help .you say low magnisium helps maintain the alk and cal.. i use coralife salt.. my alk is alway about 8.6 calcium 390 but my mag is always of the charts... i use salifert test kits.. it comes out to like1800 ... is that way too high? i thought that mag should be about 3 times the calcium. i dont have issue with the corals .. but i cant seem too get calcium much higher. i am currently using kent liquid calcium and the chart posted on page one said that i would need to add 50 some tsp to get to 425.. the recommended dose is like 4 daily..
what test kit are you using for the mag---appears to be in error

To raise you calcium you might want to use Kent Turbo calcium in solid form

You need to need alot less of it to raise the calcium level.


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Unread 02/14/2010, 07:26 PM   #349
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Can kalk be used to raise Alk and Ca or is it just to maintain what you have.

If using kalk, should one use baking soda or baked baking soda to raise level of Alk?

TIA


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Unread 02/24/2010, 04:57 PM   #350
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Kalk is for keeping stable, baking soda and Damprid are for raising Alk and Ca to desired level.


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