very low mag levels

rus · 02/19/2006, 11:54 AM

i noticed around a week ago that i was having lower calc. levels and not able to bring it back up again [ calc. 360 ] i have a deltec 501 calcium reactor and add kalk via a reactor to all top off water.

i have never really checked on my mag. levels so after some reading decided i should check it out and found that my levels were very low / reading around 600

i have done around 5 / 30 gal w.c. [ 150 gal ] using instant ocean salt , and still have not noticed much of a rise

tank is 225 gal sps reef [ with around 325 gal total water , sump and frag tank ]

todays levels [ calc-360 / alk 10.8 dkh / sal 1.025 / mag 600 / ]

any ideas ? [ to get mag levels up to desired range will take a huge amount of additives ]

i do not notice any ill effect in coral growth and health at the moment though , tank looks fine . if you need any more info please let me know .

thanks -Russ

rus · 02/19/2006, 01:34 PM

i did want to add that the only changes to the tank over the last few weeks or so is the new calcium reactor , which is using the deltec media , i have no idea if this may be part of the cause or just coincidence ? i did decide to shut it down today and see if this make any difference , i also wanted to add that i was able to raise it to around 900 thru 4 w.c. but as of today it's back down to around 560 or so again

the test kit beiong used it from [ Tera ]

thanks -Russ

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/19/2006, 02:44 PM

to get mag levels up to desired range will take a huge amount of additives

Yes, if it is really that low, you will need to use a lot. Maybe you can get Dead Sea Works MAG Flake deicer at a hardware store.

But I'd double check the kit before adding so much.

Have you tried testing the IO salt mix to see what you get as a reading from it?

02/19/2006, 11:54 AM	#1
rus Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: vancouver , canada Posts: 309	very low mag levels i noticed around a week ago that i was having lower calc. levels and not able to bring it back up again [ calc. 360 ] i have a deltec 501 calcium reactor and add kalk via a reactor to all top off water. i have never really checked on my mag. levels so after some reading decided i should check it out and found that my levels were very low / reading around 600 i have done around 5 / 30 gal w.c. [ 150 gal ] using instant ocean salt , and still have not noticed much of a rise tank is 225 gal sps reef [ with around 325 gal total water , sump and frag tank ] todays levels [ calc-360 / alk 10.8 dkh / sal 1.025 / mag 600 / ] any ideas ? [ to get mag levels up to desired range will take a huge amount of additives ] i do not notice any ill effect in coral growth and health at the moment though , tank looks fine . if you need any more info please let me know . thanks -Russ

02/19/2006, 02:44 PM	#3
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	to get mag levels up to desired range will take a huge amount of additives Yes, if it is really that low, you will need to use a lot. Maybe you can get Dead Sea Works MAG Flake deicer at a hardware store. But I'd double check the kit before adding so much. Have you tried testing the IO salt mix to see what you get as a reading from it? __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/19/2006, 01:34 PM	#2
rus Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: vancouver , canada Posts: 309	i did want to add that the only changes to the tank over the last few weeks or so is the new calcium reactor , which is using the deltec media , i have no idea if this may be part of the cause or just coincidence ? i did decide to shut it down today and see if this make any difference , i also wanted to add that i was able to raise it to around 900 thru 4 w.c. but as of today it's back down to around 560 or so again the test kit beiong used it from [ Tera ] thanks -Russ