Water Chemistry Crazy

[ReeferRob]

For the past two maybe three weeks I have been experiencing unusual results from my water tests. Corals and fish in the tank look amazing and water clarity has been awesome, so I haven't been to alarmed.

However the more I think about it the more I desire to understand what is going on and why?

Basically I've dosed a total 15 oz of calcium from the BRS 2 part method over two nights. At the time my reading were 350 the 450, then after dosing the calcium has been in the upper 600 to lower 700's.
Shortly after my calcium went up my mag dropped to the 800's. For I believe 8 nights in a row I have dosed 19 oz of mag to keep the mag finally stable at 1250 for 4 days. I hope this isn't my daily dose.........

Tonight I wanted to do a water change and with the advice of a local forum I tested my make up water. I use Reef Crystals and maintain atleast 35 gallons of mix at 1.025 and at 80 degrees. The test was high in pH at 8.6, calcium at 510 and magnesium at 800.

So I am very lost as to what is going on, why and what I should do if anything??? I know I am going to start with dumping the mix batch and giving the barrel and therms and pumps in the barrel a good vinager bath.

As for the tank like I said all inhabitants are flurishing. However I have had a little sprout of byropsis show up in two places, and red velvety cyno on some spots on the rock, and some green on parts of the sand bed. Mostly were there is poor flow.



Thanks in advance for anyone who can share there thoughts!!

 

[Sikryd]

Everything you need to know on reef chemistry

I don't get why you would dump your make-up water though? It tested normal.

 

[ReeferRob]

Thanks for the link Sik! Which I had, but I guess my mind is not geared for chemistry like some others.
I didn't dump the make up yet, didn't realize those are normal numbers for make up.

Im a little confused and let down that I didn't get anymore response to this thread. Im in need of some advice as I don't completely understand what is going on why its happening and if I should be worried at all. Im assuming the lack of response is that this is no biggie and nothing to be worried about, but could be wrong.

Its good to know that if I have trouble with my sons math homework I can post that and have a better likelyhood of getting help with that then a reef related problem.

 

[gilmour01]

whats your alk level? high alk can drive down your Ca and Mag levels.

 

[ksc]

RC should test at 14-1500 for MG.

 

[johnanddawn]

1 - try dif tests kit - some read high, others low by nature
2 - the three. alk, Ca, Mg are all tied together - mess with one mess with all
3 - i find that i have to do small frequent water changes. large changes tend to mess with my params
4 - test only weekly - set a dosing regiment, make small changes to that regiment based on test results
5 - test at the same time of day, same day of week. daily fluxs in O2/CO2 also change test results
6 - calm down approach the issue methodically. radical changes can wreak havoc in no time
7 - algae growth give or take, should not be linked to Ca, alk, Mg (coraline obvious exception) but age of tank, excess nutrients, flow, lighting, and many other factors. these parameters are independent of algae as algae can appear in even a rock solid alk, Ca, Mg situation if other husbandry issues are present

 

[Murfman]

How old are your test kits?

 

[amore169]

I used RC for at least 3-4 years and their Mag is really low, I just changed to Tropic Marine a couple of weeks ago, will see what happens.

 

[Paul_N]

That's one of the main reasons I use Oceanic- High mag and Ca.

 

[foxhuntr]

how can you lower ALK ???? everything else looks good exept my Mag could come up... been testing with Elos
PH-8.2
MAG-1150
CALCIUM-400
NITRITE-0
NITRATE-0
AMMONIA-0
PHOSPHATE-0
TEMP-80
ALK- off the chart

 

[ReeferRob]

whats your alk level? high alk can drive down your Ca and Mag levels.

Alk/KH has been rock solid at 8 no matter what I do, have not dosed any 2 part for Alk

RC should test at 14-1500 for MG.

Fresh make up is testing at 800

How old are your test kits?

Brand spanking new Elos test kits, checked against my 2 month old API both tests are equal.

1 - try dif tests kit - some read high, others low by nature
2 - the three. alk, Ca, Mg are all tied together - mess with one mess with all
3 - i find that i have to do small frequent water changes. large changes tend to mess with my params
4 - test only weekly - set a dosing regiment, make small changes to that regiment based on test results
5 - test at the same time of day, same day of week. daily fluxs in O2/CO2 also change test results
6 - calm down approach the issue methodically. radical changes can wreak havoc in no time
7 - algae growth give or take, should not be linked to Ca, alk, Mg (coraline obvious exception) but age of tank, excess nutrients, flow, lighting, and many other factors. these parameters are independent of algae as algae can appear in even a rock solid alk, Ca, Mg situation if other husbandry issues are present

Very good points thank you. I do test every 24 if not 48 hours at the same time of the day.

Deffinetely trying to go slow and not do anything drastic. Thats why I am a bit alarmed.

Lights and flow brand new and good. Just thought it may be related as issues have come up at similar times.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Sikryd]

You just recently set this tank up. So things are going to be a little different for a while. It takes a bit for the buffering of the sand, levels to stay steady, and bacteria are still growing and changing things up. At least this is what happens to me when I set up a new tank, even with old sand and liverock from my display.

I would just continue to monitor everything and see if things change, when they do keep a log so you can chart what is happening and why (ie. what happened prior to the change)
Its a lot more work, but it pays off in the end when you understand your tank better. Everyone's tank is different regardless of how close the setups are. So it is good to get to know your tank so if there is an issue you can identify and fix it quickly.

As far as the mag, I would test it with another test kit, if its low still - continue to add till it stays steady. It might take a bit to stay steady with less daily dosing amounts. You should also notice a growth spurt and calcium and alk to drop when mag goes up.

 

[ReeferRob]

You just recently set this tank up. So things are going to be a little different for a while. It takes a bit for the buffering of the sand, levels to stay steady, and bacteria are still growing and changing things up. At least this is what happens to me when I set up a new tank, even with old sand and liverock from my display.

I would just continue to monitor everything and see if things change, when they do keep a log so you can chart what is happening and why (ie. what happened prior to the change)
Its a lot more work, but it pays off in the end when you understand your tank better. Everyone's tank is different regardless of how close the setups are. So it is good to get to know your tank so if there is an issue you can identify and fix it quickly.

As far as the mag, I would test it with another test kit, if its low still - continue to add till it stays steady. It might take a bit to stay steady with less daily dosing amounts. You should also notice a growth spurt and calcium and alk to drop when mag goes up.

Thanks Sik. I have been maintaining daily notes of the tank inhabitants, over all observations and test results. I also note when something new is added and or changed with placement or scape.

Growth of the tank, knock on wood, has been amazing. Polyps are poppin left and right.
Alk is rock steady and can't be budged. Calcium is slowly coming down only about 15 point a day right now. Mag is finally staying steady at 1250 but with 19 oz of mag dosed per day. I haven't dosed mag in two days now hoping to see the tank balance out.

As for my fresh mix, anyone know what RC should test out at?
My mag tests at 800 which seems low to me.

I have a heater and power head running constantly on it. I think I am going to aggresivly mix it, allow it to settle and test again tonight and see if that makes a difference?
If it test out the same, do you guys think it would be okay to add some mag and buff it up a bit? Or should I dump it and start a fresh batch?