Ionic balance of elements

[john.m.cole3]

I understand acceptable ranges for water parameters, and I understand how alkalinity and nutrients are related. But, are there ideal ratios between alk, cal, and mag?

For example, I posted my Alk 8.4, calc 490, and mag 1400 one day. Someone suggested raising my mag up to 1440. I asked why and they said because of the ionic balance better elements.

What we're they talking about? I know every reef is different and there are no magic numbers, stability is key, and so on. But what's going on with th is ionic balance mentioned?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I do not believe that the optimal levels of these chemicals are necessarily interrelated.

For example, whether calcium is 380, 450, or 550 ppm, I do not think the optimal alkalinity and magnesium levels change.

If you are far from NSW levels and are trying to make corrections, how you do that may depend on the relative ratios, but not for simple operation of the tank.

 

[john.m.cole3]

I do not believe that the optimal levels of these chemicals are necessarily interrelated.

For example, whether calcium is 380, 450, or 550 ppm, I do not think the optimal alkalinity and magnesium levels change.

If you are far from NSW levels and are trying to make corrections, how you do that may depend on the relative ratios, but not for simple operation of the tank.

Ok, thanks for the response randy!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing. :)

 

[cracker]

Thanks John & Randy, That was what I was wanting to know. Couldn't think of what terms to use in search !

 

[john.m.cole3]

I didn't quite understand until I started playing with my levels. I believe that alkalinity, nitrate, and phosphate ate primary and most important, where calcium and magnesium are secondary. I've noticed that as my nitrate levels change, my alkalinity must coincide. For example. I used to run my tank with low nutrients. No3 - 5 and po4 .03. That kept things happy with an alk of 8 dkh, therefore calcium was 400 and mag was 1380. Things were just ok then but I had to change my carbon, gfo, and purigen weekly (I used a single reactor). I removed all of my chemical filtration and my nitrates went up to 35. So, I had to increase my Alk slowly. When I hit 10 dkh I saw a positive change. Since I use kalk my calcium also went up to 440 and I raised my mag to 1470. I guess those numbers fall into the ratio randy is talking about

 

[Shane Ruthnum]

Ive read about the prolonged use of Epsom Salt to increase Magnesium causing ionic imbalance.
I would really like to understand how to avoid this ionic imbalance and what Magnesium suppliments can be used without causing that imbalance.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ive read about the prolonged use of Epsom Salt to increase Magnesium causing ionic imbalance.
I would really like to understand how to avoid this ionic imbalance and what Magnesium suppliments can be used without causing that imbalance.

It can, which is why a mixture of Epsom salts and magnesium chloride is preferable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This has the recipe:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

 

[HuduVudu]

Achieve stabilty.

 

[Shane Ruthnum]

It can, which is why a mixture of Epsom salts and magnesium chloride is preferable.

Thank you Randy

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you Randy

You're welcome.

Happy reefing. :)

 

[George's reef]

I know this is an old thread but let's said I mest up the Ionic balance in my reef tank how can I fixed and balance it again? What steps I Need to follow to bring it back to balance

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I know this is an old thread but let's said I mest up the Ionic balance in my reef tank how can I fixed and balance it again? What steps I Need to follow to bring it back to balance

Depends on what the imbalance is.