High Mag in Tank

[ReefQuestCorals]

While not impossible, I wouldn't think that is the issue. I feel like my flow and lights are actually pretty low comparatively.

I dipped the hammer when I first got it -- no signs of pests/hitchhikers. It did really good for over a month. Started to really grow a bit and then over the last two weeks or so it's shrunk. I guess I could try dipping it and then moving it lower in the tank? I feel like I should just leave it be though.

Lets hear your set up. Flow, lights, even filtration. Give a run down or if you have a build thread post it here.

Dipping an already stressed coral without knowing whats going on could make this worse. May just need flow adjusted or less/more light

Actually never even had polyp extension while in my tank. Basically had RTN from the get go.

Typically you see RTN in a acro from alk issues. If that was a spike or large fluctuations in your alk

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Is it possible that your po4 is actually bottomed out? What are you using to test it? I’ve seen many corals go south with po4 bottomed out.

 

[REEFRIED!]

It could simply be the kit you are using, if you have not dosed before then it would make sense your new sw should closely match your tank water.



Your tank is still new, a lot of variables come into play here. Lights, flow, stability, ect.. Were the acros wild cuts, agricultured, ect.. A lot of variables here at play especially in a new system

If the OP is dosing, then fresh SW should definitely not match the tank water. If the OP is not dosing then I would assume tank water would be lower than freshly mixed SW. Either way not identical.

 

[LOZReefer]

I appreciate everyone's input! I think I will try not to worry so much about Mag and just let the ICP test results speak for themselves.

If anything I'll move the hammer down some, maybe the PAR is too high where it's at?

 

[LOZReefer]

Is it possible that your po4 is actually bottomed out? What are you using to test it? I’ve seen many corals go south with po4 bottomed out.

All my testers are Hanna. I have some Salifert just for a 'second opinion'

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

If the OP is dosing, then fresh SW should definitely not match the tank water. If the OP is not dosing then I would assume tank water would be lower than freshly mixed SW. Either way not identical.

OP stated in his original post that there is no dosing . Mag is typically not consumed very fast especially in a new tank, so I would expect his fresh sw and tank to closely match.

 

[LOZReefer]

Lets hear your set up. Flow, lights, even filtration. Give a run down or if you have a build thread post it here.

Dipping an already stressed coral without knowing whats going on could make this worse. May just need flow adjusted or less/more light



Typically you see RTN in a acro from alk issues. If that was a spike or large fluctuations in your alk

Lights: 2x NICREW 200W Gen 2 on a 9 hour cycle (1 hour ramp up/down and 7 hours at peak intensity)
Flow: 1x AI Orbit 4, 1x AI Nero 7 (set at fairly low setting)
Filtration: BioBricks, 3x 4" filter socks changed every 4-5 days

 

[X-37B]

I appreciate everyone's input! I think I will try not to worry so much about Mag and just let the ICP test results speak for themselves.

If anything I'll move the hammer down some, maybe the PAR is too high where it's at?

Good idea. If no dosing then check your fresh salts mag level when new. Not many other places it can come from.
Note: I use salifert for mag and it has always been accurate per icp.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Lights: 2x NICREW 200W Gen 2 on a 9 hour cycle (1 hour ramp up/down and 7 hours at peak intensity)
Flow: 1x AI Orbit 4, 1x AI Nero 7 (set at fairly low setting)
Filtration: BioBricks, 3x 4" filter socks changed every 4-5 days

I'm not familiar with those lights or leds general ( I'm a big t5 guy ) but is this your peak percentage? If so that is very low and I would expect to see your blue channels up towards the 70%-80% area and whites 10%-20% generally speaking.

But of course using a par meter to messure the amount of light you are receiving for corals is preferred way to set your lighting intensity.

Also haven't had any experience with those powerheads either, do you struggle with any dead spots in the tank? Hammer shouldn't be blasted with flow but should have low/moderate flow which to much can cause irritation and possibly tear the fleshy skin from the body

 

[SOGavity]

I have the Hannah Checkers as well and it's a piece of garbage... so is the calcium one, so avoid those. Im in the same boat, though. Salifert tests high on mine as well. I pretty much gave up on testing magnesium and only relying on a salifert calcium test. If calcium is being used up, so is magnesium (just not as quickly). Even though high magnesium isn't good for your reef tank, I doubt that's what's harming your coral, especially if you've never dosed. I've had many a coral bleach and never did i think it was my high magnesium readings. If everything else is fine than it's something to do with the coral. I wouldn't ignore magnesium, but it's probably never going to cause you an issue.

 

[LOZReefer]

I'm not familiar with those lights or leds general ( I'm a big t5 guy ) but is this your peak percentage? If so that is very low and I would expect to see your blue channels up towards the 70%-80% area and whites 10%-20% generally speaking.

But of course using a par meter to messure the amount of light you are receiving for corals is preferred way to set your lighting intensity.

Also haven't had any experience with those powerheads either, do you struggle with any dead spots in the tank? Hammer shouldn't be blasted with flow but should have low/moderate flow which to much can cause irritation and possibly tear the fleshy skin from the body

I had the lights up a little higher at first but noticed my leptoseris and my monti was bleaching a little so I turned them down and now I'm seeing good improvement on them. Those pieces are pretty low in the tank. My plan is to slowly increase light over the next few months. Compared to other people using these lights I have them set VERY low.

Flow seems fine in my eyes. Very gentle movement in the hammer. Certainly not blasting it.

 

[LOZReefer]

I have the Hannah Checkers as well and it's a piece of garbage... so is the calcium one, so avoid those. Im in the same boat, though. Salifert tests high on mine as well. I pretty much gave up on testing magnesium and only relying on a salifert calcium test. If calcium is being used up, so is magnesium (just not as quickly). Even though high magnesium isn't good for your reef tank, I doubt that's what's harming your coral, especially if you've never dosed. I've had many a coral bleach and never did i think it was my high magnesium readings. If everything else is fine than it's something to do with the coral. I wouldn't ignore magnesium, but it's probably never going to cause you an issue.

Yeah, I know Mag tests are notoriously inaccurate but the fact that both Hanna and Salifert both read high was what had me concerned. I'm going to just let it be for now and see what the ICP test results are in a couple weeks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I did read this. However, while I agree, exact Mag numbers are not significant... I feel like extremely high Mag numbers on the other hand could be.

How would it get to that level ? Aside from a bad batch of salt, it cannot since the op dosed none.

He says he tested both Tropic Marin and Fritz salts with the same results.

I cannot see any explanation except test error.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I have the 4 Stage 150GPD RODI system from BRS. Filters are all clean and basically brand new. Getting 0 TDS.

That is not the source.

 

[LOZReefer]

UPDATE: I went to my LFS and picked up some of his water just to test and rule out human error. His water tested at 1300ppm. I think at this point I can blame it on the water source coming into the house. Unfortunately I'm not sure there is much I can do about that? Shouldn't my RODI filter remove most of that? ICP test coming soon. Will post results.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Shouldn't my RODI filter remove most of that? ICP test coming soon. Will post results.

Yes, and I cannot see that being a significant source of magnesium.

 

[LOZReefer]

Decided to replace my RO membrane filters just in case. Tested and still getting 1800+ ppm on the Hanna checker. About to ship off the ICP test to see what it says. No clue where it's coming from at this point.

 

[LOZReefer]

I feel so dumb. I went about 45 days without recalibrating my salinity checkers. Tank was at 1.033 sg after I recalibrated them.... Hopefully I save some other noob the pain of making this mistake in the future. Don't know for sure if this is the culprit but I would say it's pretty likely. A lot of weight off my shoulders. Lucky I didn't lose anything other than some expensive Gonis and 2 snails.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

I feel so dumb. I went about 45 days without recalibrating my salinity checkers. Tank was at 1.033 sg after I recalibrated them.... Hopefully I save some other noob the pain of making this mistake in the future. Don't know for sure if this is the culprit but I would say it's pretty likely. A lot of weight off my shoulders. Lucky I didn't lose anything other than some expensive Gonis and 2 snails.

Im glad you finally pin pointed the issue! 1.033 def doesnt help!