- Joined
- Dec 13, 2018
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Hi everyone,
I just started tracking my tank's parameters more closely so I can identify what needs improving. (I dont have a ton of coral growth or color) My understanding of the interactions of elements is not perfect, and now after reading a ton of research- im overwhelmed by conflicting information. so I was hoping for some straight forward advice on what to do to keep things balanced. I know there is a wide range of what is "ideal"- my tank is a 220 reef w about 20 fish and more inverts, kept at 79 degrees, with 30 or so small frags and corals (largest is maybe 4"), mostly lps with some sps. I use 1 bag of regular IO + about 1-2 cups IORC per water change.
Ex:
Beginning values------> 2 weeks later
ph: 8.2/8.25 -----> 8.2/8.25
Nitrate: 0-3 -----> 0-3
Phos: 0-0.05 ------> 0-0.05
Mag: 1215 -----> 1100
Ca: 410-----> 410
Kh/Alk: 8.6/3.08 -----> 7.3/2.6
It seems like the only things that dip are magnesium and alk. Im trying to see if I can back off on water changes since doing them religiously every 2 weeks for 3 years. They dont seem to be necessary for exporting nitrates/phosphates and if Im only doing them to refresh trace elements and other depleted elements- perhaps I can just use additives?
I have a bottle of kents magnesium, Red Sea ABCD, and Coral Vite that I have yet to use bc I dont want to start throwing things in arbitrarily. Are my values over all okay? My ca level is fine, how do I raise alk without ca or ph increasing or decreasing? Am I safe to dose magnesium? Other thoughts?
Thanks reefers!!!
I just started tracking my tank's parameters more closely so I can identify what needs improving. (I dont have a ton of coral growth or color) My understanding of the interactions of elements is not perfect, and now after reading a ton of research- im overwhelmed by conflicting information. so I was hoping for some straight forward advice on what to do to keep things balanced. I know there is a wide range of what is "ideal"- my tank is a 220 reef w about 20 fish and more inverts, kept at 79 degrees, with 30 or so small frags and corals (largest is maybe 4"), mostly lps with some sps. I use 1 bag of regular IO + about 1-2 cups IORC per water change.
Ex:
Beginning values------> 2 weeks later
ph: 8.2/8.25 -----> 8.2/8.25
Nitrate: 0-3 -----> 0-3
Phos: 0-0.05 ------> 0-0.05
Mag: 1215 -----> 1100
Ca: 410-----> 410
Kh/Alk: 8.6/3.08 -----> 7.3/2.6
It seems like the only things that dip are magnesium and alk. Im trying to see if I can back off on water changes since doing them religiously every 2 weeks for 3 years. They dont seem to be necessary for exporting nitrates/phosphates and if Im only doing them to refresh trace elements and other depleted elements- perhaps I can just use additives?
I have a bottle of kents magnesium, Red Sea ABCD, and Coral Vite that I have yet to use bc I dont want to start throwing things in arbitrarily. Are my values over all okay? My ca level is fine, how do I raise alk without ca or ph increasing or decreasing? Am I safe to dose magnesium? Other thoughts?
Thanks reefers!!!