00W's AIO Smorgasbord

[NanoSteam]

raising your dKH with sodium bicarbonate can lower your ph

Doesn't AFR also lower ph?

It does technically but it's negligent amount.

 

[Calmwaters]

Also your alk is already very high so All for Reef would not be great since if that is pushed higher it would be bad. I would make sure the magnesium is an accurate reading since unless your not doing water changes or have a lot of euphlyia that reading doesn't make sense

I did the test 3 times to make sure I got the same reading each time and I use Salifert test kit.

 

[tbrown]

I have a glass lid would replacing it with one that's not glass help with ph?

Not likely unless you have very low CO2 in the air around the tank.

 

[Calmwaters]

If the lid completely or closes majority of the water from the air then that could be affecting the ph for sure. Thats why most lids are open with mesh. The only negative is you will have a lot more evaporation.

Yes it's completely closed and I have an ATO on it to keep it stable as the sump is completely open so I'm sure there is evaporation from it.

 

[tharbin]

Here are the results from my test.
Ph 7.7
Calcium 470
Magnesium 1170
Kh 11.5
Phosphate .03

You are not currently dosing correct? If so these numbers seem like you need a little adjustment.

Your dKH is higher than what Reef Crystals mixes at so I suspect a false reading as with a pH of 7.7 it seems higher than probable. More likely your dKH is closer to 11. Your Mg is lower than it should be. You want your Mg at least in the 1250-1300 range, I prefer closer to 1400 or even 1450. I don't recommend going over 1500 though as too much Mg can also be problematic. I do trust the Salifert and the Aquaforest Mg test kits to give good-enough readings. AFR does not contain enough Mg to make up for what gets utilized by heavy consumers like coralline algae, or montipora corals. Personally I would hand dose some Brightwell or Fritz Mg to get it up to about 1300. The higher Mg will promote the uptake of alk and calcium by your corals.

 

[Calmwaters]

Not likely unless you have very low CO2 in the air around the tank.

I wouldn't think I have low CO2 in my air but I have no idea now I would know.

 

[TheNative192]

Yes it's completely closed and I have an ATO on it to keep it stable as the sump is completely open so I'm sure there is evaporation from it.

I would get something to dose Magnesium directly. Do you have a lot of coralline algae growth? Also do you have any SPS or Euphilya. Those are the ones that consume it the most.

 

[Calmwaters]

You are not currently dosing correct? If so these numbers seem like you need a little adjustment.

Your dKH is higher than what Reef Crystals mixes at so I suspect a false reading as with a pH of 7.7 it seems higher than probable. More likely your dKH is closer to 11. Your Mg is lower than it should be. You want your Mg at least in the 1250-1300 range, I prefer closer to 1400 or even 1450. I don't recommend going over 1500 though as too much Mg can also be problematic. I do trust the Salifert and the Aquaforest Mg test kits to give good-enough readings. AFR does not contain enough Mg to make up for what gets utilized by heavy consumers like coralline algae, or montipora corals. Personally I would hand dose some Brightwell or Fritz Mg to get it up to about 1300. The higher Mg will promote the uptake of alk and calcium by your corals.

The salifert test kit is what I used for all of my testing. My eyes ain't what they use to be so it could be that I was off on how many of those tiny lines I was seeing on the syringe for the dkh test.

 

[Calmwaters]

I would get something to dose Magnesium directly. Do you have a lot of coralline algae growth? Also do you have any SPS or Euphilya. Those are the ones that consume it the most.

I don't think I have a lot of coralline algea and no SPS or Euphilya corals.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

I have a glass lid would replacing it with one that's not glass help with ph?

PH is effected by the carbon dioxide in the air also, there is a lot of research you can do to improve your PH

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

The salifert test kit is what I used for all of my testing. My eyes ain't what they use to be so it could be that I was off on how many of those tiny lines I was seeing on the syringe for the dkh test.

with ya on that, Doller General magnifying glass works great

 

[Calmwaters]

with ya on that, Doller General magnifying glass works great

I have an extra magnifying glass at work I really should bring home. Lol

 

[NanoSteam]

with ya on that, Doller General magnifying glass works great

I have an extra magnifying glass at work I really should bring home. Lol

I just take a pic with my phone then zoom in lol.

 

[Calmwaters]

I just take a pic with my phone then zoom in lol.

That's a great idea!

 

[Calmwaters]

I will go by the LFS tomorrow to see what if anything they have to increase magnesium. Is there a preferred product or any that are awful that I should avoid?

 

[Calmwaters]

Wish I had checked with you guys before I bought the All 4 Reef.

 

[tbrown]

I will go by the LFS tomorrow to see what if anything they have to increase magnesium. Is there a preferred product or any that are awful that I should avoid?

I like Brightwell. Easy to dose, higher concentration, not super expensive, has been rumored to contain an ingredient that fights GHA.

 

[Calmwaters]

I like Brightwell. Easy to dose, higher concentration, not super expensive, has been rumored to contain an ingredient that fights GHA.

I do believe that they sometimes have that brand! If so I will get it.

 

[TheNative192]

I don't think I have a lot of coralline algea and no SPS or Euphilya corals.

What do you keep your salinity at Reef crystals should bring you out to 1350 or 1400 Mag at 1.026 or 1.025. Soft corals also do not consume mag (or at least not much if any)

Unfortunately Instant Ocean sometimes has off batches so maybe do a water test on a freshly mixed batch. I found this post with someone saying their Mag was low on their bucket as well. https://www.bareefers.org/forum/thr...reef-crystals-bucket-has-low-magnesium.32856/

 

[kevgib67]

I will go by the LFS tomorrow to see what if anything they have to increase magnesium. Is there a preferred product or any that are awful that I should avoid?

I use RPM, works great.