low mag low alk....

ahullsb · 03/24/2007, 11:27 PM

I just tested and my mag was around 1050. I tested KH at 6. Anything I can do to raise it tonight? I guess I need to supplement mag tomorrow?

Billybeau1 · 03/24/2007, 11:48 PM

Well, I can believe mag at 1050, but alk at 6 ?

We need to know first 6 what ? dkh or meg/l

Next, what brand salt mix are you using ?

adova · 03/25/2007, 12:59 AM

That sounds about like me when I started dosing Mg, Alk and Ca - but I did it slowly over a week or more.... I started with the mg to about 1300 and then moved to the Alk and Ca - this is all with Randys 2 part.

Shawn

ahullsb · 03/25/2007, 12:01 PM

DKH is 6. I'm using instant ocean but am thinking of switching to reef crystals.

Billybeau1 · 03/25/2007, 11:17 PM

Well I really dont think your tank is at 6 dkh ( even using IO )

IO rings in about 11 or 12 out of the box. Unless you hardly ever do water changes.

I would suggest verifying your alk reading, either with a different kit or take a sample to your lfs.

I personally think switching to Reef Crystals is a fine idea but you'll find the alk is about the same as IO. The benefit of RC is more calcium and magnesium which is a good thing

One other possibility is that maybe you are not mixing at the proper specific gravity. If you are using a swing arm hydrometer, you could be low.

What is your S.G. and how do you measure ?

carib · 03/26/2007, 12:06 AM

i keep my dkh 7-8,and a few times i ha ve read 6ish,with no ill effects.

adova · 03/26/2007, 01:43 AM

It's odd that 6 is impossible as I was at 5.6 when I had problems - used two tests to confirm.

Shawn

Billybeau1 · 03/26/2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adova
It's odd that 6 is impossible as I was at 5.6 when I had problems - used two tests to confirm.

Shawn

I dont recall saying impossible. Nothing is impossible.

ahullsb · 03/26/2007, 01:04 PM

I use a refractometer and it reads 1.024. The test kit is brand new and it normally reads between 8-10. Seeing it around 6 had me a little nervous.

Billybeau1 · 03/26/2007, 01:14 PM

If you are convinced the test kit is reading properly then good old Arm & Hammer baking soda will get you squared away.

Use this handy calculator to determine how much to dose and read the warnings at the bottom

Reef Chemistry Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

If your pH is low, you can bake the baking soda to drive off Co2. If your pH is good, just dissolve it in some fresh water and dose.

Make sure when you enter your water volume, you estimate total water. Tank, sump minus displacement by rocks sand etc.

Good luck.

adova · 03/26/2007, 01:18 PM

Ok, ok - you got me on the wording.

When you bake the baking powder, how thin do you need to spread it out? My ph goes up somewhat, but I can barely get it to stay at 8.0 (dKH is stable at about 11 now).

I have been thinking that CO2 may be an issue (this is a tank room), but I now have an A/C that vents to the outside and still have the same readings.

Shawn

Warner Marine · 03/26/2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adova
Ok, ok - you got me on the wording.

When you bake the baking powder, how thin do you need to spread it out? My ph goes up somewhat, but I can barely get it to stay at 8.0 (dKH is stable at about 11 now).

I have been thinking that CO2 may be an issue (this is a tank room), but I now have an A/C that vents to the outside and still have the same readings.

Shawn

don't use baking powder, it contains starch and salts. Use only BAKING SODA!! aka Sodium Bicarbonate.

adova · 03/26/2007, 01:24 PM

Again - my bad wording - I meant soda.....

Billybeau1 · 03/26/2007, 01:43 PM

Thanks Jon.

adova, first check to see if Co2 is an issue. Do the aeration test in this artilcle to be sure.

Low pH: causes and cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

If your alk is at 11 dkh then aeration with outside air or limewater are better choices to raise pH. Not baking soda.

Here in the Midwest, we recently had a warm spell where I was able to open up the house after being closed all winter.

Just by opening the windows, my pH rose from 8.08 to the present 8.26.

It is amazing what Co2 can do to a fish tank

03/24/2007, 11:27 PM	#1
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	low mag low alk.... I just tested and my mag was around 1050. I tested KH at 6. Anything I can do to raise it tonight? I guess I need to supplement mag tomorrow?

03/25/2007, 12:59 AM	#3
adova Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,450	That sounds about like me when I started dosing Mg, Alk and Ca - but I did it slowly over a week or more.... I started with the mg to about 1300 and then moved to the Alk and Ca - this is all with Randys 2 part. Shawn __________________ No, honey - that's been in the tank for a while Current Tank Info: 240g Custom In Wall

03/25/2007, 12:01 PM	#4
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	DKH is 6. I'm using instant ocean but am thinking of switching to reef crystals. __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

03/26/2007, 01:43 AM	#7
adova Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,450	It's odd that 6 is impossible as I was at 5.6 when I had problems - used two tests to confirm. Shawn __________________ No, honey - that's been in the tank for a while Current Tank Info: 240g Custom In Wall

03/26/2007, 01:04 PM	#9
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I use a refractometer and it reads 1.024. The test kit is brand new and it normally reads between 8-10. Seeing it around 6 had me a little nervous. __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

03/24/2007, 11:48 PM	#2
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Well, I can believe mag at 1050, but alk at 6 ? We need to know first 6 what ? dkh or meg/l Next, what brand salt mix are you using ?

03/25/2007, 11:17 PM	#5
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Well I really dont think your tank is at 6 dkh ( even using IO ) IO rings in about 11 or 12 out of the box. Unless you hardly ever do water changes. I would suggest verifying your alk reading, either with a different kit or take a sample to your lfs. I personally think switching to Reef Crystals is a fine idea but you'll find the alk is about the same as IO. The benefit of RC is more calcium and magnesium which is a good thing One other possibility is that maybe you are not mixing at the proper specific gravity. If you are using a swing arm hydrometer, you could be low. What is your S.G. and how do you measure ?

03/26/2007, 12:06 AM	#6
carib Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: los angeles Posts: 210	i keep my dkh 7-8,and a few times i ha ve read 6ish,with no ill effects.

03/26/2007, 01:14 PM	#10
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	If you are convinced the test kit is reading properly then good old Arm & Hammer baking soda will get you squared away. Use this handy calculator to determine how much to dose and read the warnings at the bottom Reef Chemistry Calculator http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html If your pH is low, you can bake the baking soda to drive off Co2. If your pH is good, just dissolve it in some fresh water and dose. Make sure when you enter your water volume, you estimate total water. Tank, sump minus displacement by rocks sand etc. Good luck.

03/26/2007, 01:18 PM	#11
adova Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,450	Ok, ok - you got me on the wording. When you bake the baking powder, how thin do you need to spread it out? My ph goes up somewhat, but I can barely get it to stay at 8.0 (dKH is stable at about 11 now). I have been thinking that CO2 may be an issue (this is a tank room), but I now have an A/C that vents to the outside and still have the same readings. Shawn __________________ No, honey - that's been in the tank for a while Current Tank Info: 240g Custom In Wall

03/26/2007, 01:24 PM	#13
adova Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,450	Again - my bad wording - I meant soda..... __________________ No, honey - that's been in the tank for a while Current Tank Info: 240g Custom In Wall

03/26/2007, 01:43 PM	#14
Billybeau1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 12,010	Thanks Jon. adova, first check to see if Co2 is an issue. Do the aeration test in this artilcle to be sure. Low pH: causes and cures http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm If your alk is at 11 dkh then aeration with outside air or limewater are better choices to raise pH. Not baking soda. Here in the Midwest, we recently had a warm spell where I was able to open up the house after being closed all winter. Just by opening the windows, my pH rose from 8.08 to the present 8.26. It is amazing what Co2 can do to a fish tank