What is eating my Mg?!!!

[seth the wine guy]

I don't understand what's happening to my Mg. I have a 200 total gallon system and have done (10) 30g water changes in the last 14 days with Salinity. I run a Ca reactor with a good amount of Neo-Mag in it. (More than the recommended amount) I tested my Mg at 1180 and thought my Salifert was off. So, I took it to Pure Reef and their Elos test said 1200. I have a serious bubble algae problem along with a dinoflagellates issue.

I know this is typical of an excess nutrient problem. NO3 are always at zero and PO4 ranges from .02-.12.

Algae aside, where is my Mg going!!?

 

[cantare00]

following, I've been having similar issues...

 

[mockery]

Have much coraline growth? I believe that can really bring down mag levels

 

[seth the wine guy]

Mockery;744915 wrote: Have much coraline growth? I believe that can really bring down mag levels

I have quite a bit where there's no bubble algae. But ten WC in 14 days! I don't have THAT much coraline.

 

[grouper therapy]

What is the level of mg in the new saltwater? 1200 sounds about right for most salt mixes.

 

[ralph atl]

I have no idea about your reactor and if it's actually adding mag...that said:

mag test kits are notoriously off by a 100 or more......

that said, water changes are difficult to raise one parem. the most it can ever be is the max of the salt 1200-1300


http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/two-part-calcium-and-alkalinity-solution/replacement-magnesium-pack-full-gallon-1.html">add some more with this:</a>

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[seth the wine guy]

grouper therapy;744933 wrote: What is the level of mg in the new saltwater? 1200 sounds about right for most salt mixes.

mysterybox;745038 wrote: I have no idea about your reactor and if it's actually adding mag...that said:

mag test kits are notoriously off by a 100 or more......

that said, water changes are difficult to raise one parem. the most it can ever be is the max of the salt 1200-1300
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I was hoping between the Neo-mag in the reactor and the new SW at 1285 it wouldn't drop so low so quickly. Guess I'll have to dose.

 

[rdnelson]

Been using this method for months with good results. And I just happened to have a container of Epsom salt lying around so it was cheap too. Kind of like me, cheap.

 

[ichthyoid]

I use the Kent Tech M when I dose. I bought a gallon of it, not too $$.

 

[kirkwood]

grouper therapy;744933 wrote: What is the level of mg in the new saltwater? 1200 sounds about right for most salt mixes.

Salinity @ 1.025 mixes Mg at 1350, I believe. I think the Aquavitro line has the most potent Mg. I think its Ions.

Perhaps your refractometer or hydrometer are off, so you're WC water is off.

 

[itsamyheff]

What are your other parameters? Have you checked calcium lately? I ran the calcium up to high a while back and noticed the mag and kh dropped.

 

[mph84]

water changes are great and all but if you're looking to change one thing they don't make much sense IMO. If you think about it you are pulling out 1200 ppm and only putting back in 1200-1300. dosing seems like the easier and more cost efficient way. On a side note MG seems to be the most difficult parameter to get in check when it gets low. I don't know why thats just my experience. good luck

 

[thanh386]

Cantare00;744914 wrote: following, I've been having similar issues...

You been having the same issues cause u don't dose and have no reactor

 

[skriz]

What's your ph and Ca?

 

[silver surfer]

Get a dosing pump and use ions by seachem.

 

[schwaggs]

I too use a CA reactor but only use ARM in it (no special Mg additive in the CA reactor). I never had a problem with dropping Mg between water changes until I added a Kalk Reactor. I use BRS Magnesium Sulfite and Magnesium Chloride using Randy's ratios to adjust to 1300-1350 periodically.

What CA reactor media are you using?

 

[acroholic]

Seth,
Have you gotten the feeling the NeoMag is not working? I have had this stuff in my 300 reef calcium reactor for several months, and actual pieces of Neomag are not shrinking the way regular reactor media does. They basically look unchanged to me in size and amount.

I have been told that this type media requies a much lower pH level to dissolve that the typical 6.4 or more we see in our calcium reactors. I have also been told that this is not true, so I don't know who to believe. But visually I am not seeing any size reduction, so I am leaning towards the lower pH argument. I still have to periodically dose with Randy's 2 part to maintain my Mag levels, even with the NeoMag in the GEO 818.

I don't have this issue in my 100 gallon reef, however, just the SPS heavy 300.

 

[seth the wine guy]

Sorry to neglect my own post. Been a little busy. I just tested all my params and a bit horrified at the results. I've always maintained Ca levels above 400 without issue and would rarely drop my Mg below 1250. I use Salinity. (For now. I bought a whole friggin barrel.)

itsamyheff;745157 wrote: What are your other parameters? Have you checked calcium lately? I ran the calcium up to high a while back and noticed the mag and kh dropped.

KH 8.9 Ca 370 Mg 1170 PH-Range from 8.14-8.3 in a 24hr period. Gravity 1.26

mph84;745166 wrote: water changes are great and all but if you're looking to change one thing they don't make much sense IMO. If you think about it you are pulling out 1200 ppm and only putting back in 1200-1300. dosing seems like the easier and more cost efficient way. On a side note MG seems to be the most difficult parameter to get in check when it gets low. I don't know why thats just my experience. good luck

Reason for all the WC actually had nothing to do with the desire to change params. I had to create a supply of seasoned SW for all the coral I was holding for the frag meeting. I had several tubs that got water changed out daily.

Skriz;745215 wrote: What's your ph and Ca?

Ca 370 Mg 1170 PH-Range from 8.14-8.3 in a 24hr period

Schwaggs;745378 wrote: I too use a CA reactor but only use ARM in it (no special Mg additive in the CA reactor). I never had a problem with dropping Mg between water changes until I added a Kalk Reactor. I use BRS Magnesium Sulfite and Magnesium Chloride using Randy's ratios to adjust to 1300-1350 periodically.

What CA reactor media are you using?

I use ARM.

Acroholic;745399 wrote: Seth,
Have you gotten the feeling the NeoMag is not working? I have had this stuff in my 300 reef calcium reactor for several months, and actual pieces of Neomag are not shrinking the way regular reactor media does. They basically look unchanged to me in size and amount.

I have been told that this type media requies a much lower pH level to dissolve that the typical 6.4 or more we see in our calcium reactors. I have also been told that this is not true, so I don't know who to believe. But visually I am not seeing any size reduction, so I am leaning towards the lower pH argument. I still have to periodically dose with Randy's 2 part to maintain my Mag levels, even with the NeoMag in the GEO 818.

I don't have this issue in my 100 gallon reef, however, just the SPS heavy 300.

I have in fact noticed the Neo mag doesn't seem to melt down. I'll try dropping my Ca reactor PH level. Given my horrifically low Ca numbers, I probably need to.

 

[grouper therapy]

370 isn't that low IMO.

 

[seth the wine guy]

grouper therapy;745964 wrote: 370 isn't that low IMO.

Relative to my system norms it is.