Need opnions please....

[Captain Nemo]

Ok guys I am asking kind of a weird question but I want your opnions. I have a 70 tall tank with built in overflows and a 10gal sump system. Skimmer is a octopus rated for a 125 tank. I have around 50-60lbs LR with nice coraline growing. Bio load 2 Azure Damsels, 1 firefish, 1 medium Blue Regal, 2 Clowns one med and the other small, 1 royal gramma and 3 small chromis. Also have numerous crabs and snails, and some nassirius snails. ! maxima clam about 5 inchs, 2 cleaner shrimp and 2 peppermints. As far as corals go, I have some zoa's 3 small colonies ( 1/2 inch plugs) and 1 med sized zoa colony. I ahve 2 pieces of small birdsnest and 1 piece of green slimer. Also a 6 head piece of frogspawn and 1.5 head of hammer coral. 1 leather toadstool and some kenya tree. I dose 2x week with Reefbuilder and Fuel, also feed clam marine snow. I also use 8.4 by seachem? i think is the manufacturer. Parameters are salinity a 1.026, ammonia-0, nitrate-0,nitrite-0, or these are undetected. I will do the Ph and the alk when I get home. The DKh is stuck around 7 or 8 and I cant seem to get it up despite dosing and water changes, p.s. I use Reef crystals saltmix and RODI water for top offs. I want to know how to raise my DKh. I figure I need to test calcium as my personal belief is this is part of my prob, but wanted you guys opnion. Also do you think my bio-load is to much? I dont really get a lot of skimmate in the skimmer and most fish are small. Thanks for input will put up the others when I get home tonight.

 

[Captain Nemo]

P.S. sorry for the long post.:squigglemouth:

 

[Captain Nemo]

ok my Ph is 8.6 and myDKh is 7. IDEAS>>????? I am dissappointed no one has responded to this..... :cry:

 

[Troylee]

What's your mag at???? If your magnesium is low cal and alk will always jump around...

 

[MoneyPit]

Ditto

 

[Captain Nemo]

dont know as I have never tested mag. will do so.

 

[MoneyPit]

How much water do you change? Mabye you should do a 30 to 40 percent change.

 

[ronnie]

Magnesium is likely the issue here. I try to run mine around 1350 or so.

If you have low Mg, then you will constantly struggle for a balance between Ca and Alk.

Good luck!

 

[Captain Nemo]

So I tested the ca today and it is low around 300. Going to start dosing with reefbuilder calcium also. Hope to balance this out. Any opnions on the bio load?? to much? just right?? need more?? Thanks guys for your help also.

 

[ronnie]

I have six fish in my 120. Granted, most of yours are pretty small, but I'd not run a 70g with that many fish. My opinion. As long as you have an oversized skimmer, don't overfeed, and do water changes, you will be ok.

Really need to check you Magnesium. I'm betting that is your #1 issue.

 

[gparr]

Do not start dumping calcium into the tank until you know your magnesium level. You'll just make things worse. Magnesium is the key to allowing you to raise alkalinity and calcium. If Mg is not 1,350 or higher, alk and Ca won't budge. If you are using Reef Crystals, I can assure you your Mg is too low. The other symptoms you describe support that.
Gary

 

[Captain Nemo]

Thank you so much guys. Will stop and get a mag test as soon as I can. What type of salt mix do you guys use to maintain your levels?

 

[gparr]

I use Reef Crystals and always have. I just supplement the Mg to keep it at the proper level.
Gary

 

[Captain Nemo]

this is all i have ever used, but until recently I have never had a problem, but I havent kept sps and lps before.

 

[litenyaup]

Do not start dumping calcium into the tank until you know your magnesium level. You'll just make things worse. Magnesium is the key to allowing you to raise alkalinity and calcium. If Mg is not 1,350 or higher, alk and Ca won't budge. If you are using Reef Crystals, I can assure you your Mg is too low. The other symptoms you describe support that.
Gary

+1!!!!!!