Frustrated/I Don't Get It

[luke33]

Really? I had a friend of mine come over with his PAR meter and map out my tank when I first set it up. We tested from 500 at the highest rock all the way down to 150 in the back sand bed. What kind of light were you using? I'd have to disagree that it's a lack of light since I've had to raise it to try and keep it from bleaching my Maxi Mini anemones.[/QUOTE]

I'm glad to hear that. I tested a 24" current nova extreme. Had new ati bulb's and everything, man was i disappointed. Glad you got those #'s. Then i'd pry agree and say its the tank's maturity.

 

[NaClCrocodile]

I think I finally get it. For the past month I've been trying to solve the wrong problem; PO4. I haven't noticed any benefits after the month of weekly 20% water changes, so I started looking into other possible problems. Finally I think I've got it! Magnesium! I ran ma Mg test kit and I was looking at 1250, doh! I was reading into some chemistry articles and it just clicked. Well, now I'm looking to supplement Mg and I'm not really sure where to turn. I'd like to get something cheap at the moment but a 50lb bag is going to last me ~25 years lol. Where do you get Mg supplements?

 

[Eternal]

I think bulk reef supply is the cheapest

 

[Dave3112]

Actually 1250 is not a horrible Mg reading. I keep mine at 1300-1350 and have plenty of growth. I know you are getting frustrated and that is easy to do. I agree with the others that it sounds like new tank syndrome and a heavy stocked one at that. Just give it some more time to mature and everything will balance out. I get my Mg from Bulk Reef Supply. You can also use epsom salt from the drug store. Use BRS calculator page to see what you need to add. Just raise the levels SLOWLY. One thing I read a while ago about SPS keeping is SPS stands for Stability Promotes Success. Good luck!

Dave

 

[brahm]

bulkreefsupply has them, I've noticed issue with montipora whenever I dip below 1300. I try to keep mine around 1400 now. I'm also not sure what this "new tank syndrome" people keep throwing around is. Either your tank is cycled and you don't have ammonia, and nitrites, or you do. Parameter stability comes from husbandry. It also shouldn't take 4 months to cycle a tank.

on a side note: alk of 7.9 is fine. I shoot for 8-8.5 the bigger issue then your target number is how much you move around.

 

[NaClCrocodile]

Actually 1250 is not a horrible Mg reading. I keep mine at 1300-1350 and have plenty of growth. I know you are getting frustrated and that is easy to do. I agree with the others that it sounds like new tank syndrome and a heavy stocked one at that. Just give it some more time to mature and everything will balance out. I get my Mg from Bulk Reef Supply. You can also use epsom salt from the drug store. Use BRS calculator page to see what you need to add. Just raise the levels SLOWLY. One thing I read a while ago about SPS keeping is SPS stands for Stability Promotes Success. Good luck!
Dave

Well, I lost my Chalk Bass while I was away for Thanksgiving. My roommate said he'd only seen the two clowns and the wrasse so I'm not sure where that guy ended up. I really don't see how three, or even four fish is heavily stocked for a 33G DT as long as I'm not getting any NO3. I don't think it's a thing of Mg being deficient, I think it's that with a lower Mg, I'm not getting enough available Ca or alkalinity.

bulkreefsupply has them, I've noticed issue with montipora whenever I dip below 1300. I try to keep mine around 1400 now. I'm also not sure what this "new tank syndrome" people keep throwing around is. Either your tank is cycled and you don't have ammonia, and nitrites, or you do. Parameter stability comes from husbandry. It also shouldn't take 4 months to cycle a tank.

on a side note: alk of 7.9 is fine. I shoot for 8-8.5 the bigger issue then your target number is how much you move around.

I'm of the same mindset, but maybe there's something to it. Yeah, I think this also could be a factor since Mg buffers alk so it should swing less. I've got a very experienced friend who kept his @ 1500, so I'll try and raise it up there by the end of the month. The biggest tell for me that it might be Mg was the lack of coralline growth and the fading of the coralline algae that was present. According to an Advanced Aquarist article, coralline takes up lots (lots is the scientific term) Mg and grows well when Mg is kept in higher levels.

 

[Dave3112]

Some peoples definition of heavily stocked are different than others. I have 2 tangs, 4 chromis and 3 clowns in a 220 with a 75 gallon sump and I think I'm at my stocking limit. But thats just what I like to keep in my reef. Good luck!