ATI Fiji white sand keeping high Calcium and Magnesium levels?

[Sorbi]

Hi, has anyone ever experienced constantly high levels of Calcium and Magnesium while using ATI Fiji white sand? It is a nice sand, however, according to the manufacturer:
”Our sand is 99.6% pure calcium and magnesium compounds”.
So I need to dose alkalinity to keep it about 9.3 dKH in a mixed reef tank. Calcium is always about 490-500, Magnesium 1410.

Any experience/idea? Thanks.

 

[mfinn]

I doubt the sand adds any calcium or magnesium to the water.
They also say that it needs to be rinsed several times. If there were any chemicals added then I would think that alone would remove it.

 

[Sorbi]

I doubt the sand adds any calcium or magnesium to the water.
They also say that it needs to be rinsed several times. If there were any chemicals added then I would think that alone would remove it.

Thanks, any other idea why my Calcium and Magnesium keep having high concentration without dosing?

 

[Cherub]

My salt has high levels of alk, maybe your salt has high levels of calcium

 

[mfinn]

Thanks, any other idea why my Calcium and Magnesium keep having high concentration without dosing?

2 things come to mind.
Testing errors or faulty test kits, or just high numbers in the salt mix.

 

[KimG]

I run the same sand and don't have that problem. Cal 400, mag 1300.
I do believe it did suck most of the phosphate out of the water when I added it to my running tank.

 

[Sorbi]

Thanks for your thoughts. I used 3 different brands of the tests (Salifert, AquaForest, Tropic Marine), all very similar results. Then testef two different reference solutions with the same tests: the results were almost identical to the ones stated on the reference solution. My salt mix (tropic marine pro reef) has lower calcium than the tank. I am really confused with these levels of Ca and Mg

 

[KimG]

I also use TM pro. Sorry, no idea. New tank?

 

[Sorbi]

I also use TM pro. Sorry, no idea. New tank?

Yes, 3-4 months

 

[Backreefing]

I have been having the theory’s about crushed coral gravel and alk , calcium , magnesium numbers . But you haven’t used reef crystals salt mix ? Me and other members have had batches with rediculus high magnesium. I used it because it was available quickly, and regret it.

 

[Sorbi]

I have been having the theory’s about crushed coral gravel and alk , calcium , magnesium numbers . But you haven’t used reef crystals salt mix ? Me and other members have had batches with rediculus high magnesium. I used it because it was available quickly, and regret it.

No, I haven’t used reef crystals mix

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hi, has anyone ever experienced constantly high levels of Calcium and Magnesium while using ATI Fiji white sand? It is a nice sand, however, according to the manufacturer:
”Our sand is 99.6% pure calcium and magnesium compounds”.
So I need to dose alkalinity to keep it about 9.3 dKH in a mixed reef tank. Calcium is always about 490-500, Magnesium 1410.

Any experience/idea? Thanks.

No, it is your salt mix that is doing that.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I run the same sand and don't have that problem. Cal 400, mag 1300.
I do believe it did suck most of the phosphate out of the water when I added it to my running tank.

All calcium carbonate will bind phosphate. It won't release large amounts of calcium or alkalinity (it cannot, and if it somehow did, a rise of 20 ppm calcium will boost alk by 2.8 dKH, which would quickly push alk through the roof for any significant calcium or magnesium boost.

 

[Doreno]

Hi, has anyone ever experienced constantly high levels of Calcium and Magnesium while using ATI Fiji white sand? It is a nice sand, however, according to the manufacturer:
”Our sand is 99.6% pure calcium and magnesium compounds”.
So I need to dose alkalinity to keep it about 9.3 dKH in a mixed reef tank. Calcium is always about 490-500, Magnesium 1410.

Any experience/idea? Thanks.

Check this video.


this video talks about the differences between artificial sand and sand from the sea.
Ati fiji sand - is sand not from the ocean/sea.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

Check this video. (IF you speak German!!)


this video talks about the differences between synthetic sand and natural sand from the sea.
Ati fiji sand - is not natural sand from the ocean.

There, fixed that for ya!

Lol, what I took from the video was that artificial sand is dusty and natural less so, and that beakers come in really BIG sizes!!

Perhaps a German speaking member can post a synopsis?

Dennis

 

[Sorbi]

Many thanks, this video is really great and explains what I experienced. BTW, my issues were all fixed after removal of all ATI Fiji sand, now bare-bottom tank.