which to raise first Ca or Mg?

[eagle9252]

Okies, now that I have let my tank set for a couple of weeks and only did WC’S . As I needed to let the tank rest and level out. I’m currently using RSCP (1.25 buckets so far) but just bought more Salinity. Sg runs around 1.023 (Jenn) and my test around 1.025. temp is 78* – 80*.

It’s holding on the PH 8.0, Ca 350, Mg 925. The Alk this week was 6.5 meg but 2 weeks ago was 7.5
I also switched test kits from the RSCP to Seachem.

I have everything needed to raise all the levels but can’t find out which needs to go up first and should I raise all three together. I know not all at one time but raise each some a couple hrs apart not raise only one up then the other. As they all three work together I would assume that they need to rise together.

The calculator at http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html">http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html</a> says:

I would assume that the Ca needs to go first as it says it will affect the others


[IMG]http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc225/propane4x4/other/calculatorb9-2-12.jpg alt="" />

 

[rdnelson]

I would concentrate on Mag first but you can raise the others some while working on the Mag. Without adequate levels of mag, the calcium becomes unusable to the corals and will precipitate out. The PH is a concern for the fish but I think as you bring Mag up you see that the KH starts to come up which will give you a buffer for your PH. Give it a try and I bet you find things are much easier once the mag gets to an adequate level.

 

[mc524]

Cool chart, where did that come from?

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[eagle9252]

The calculator at

 

[mc524]

Nice! Thanks for the link...bookmarked for later use.

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[eagle9252]

barry_keith;793926 wrote: I think you'll want your kh higher than 6

its in med not dkh.



when you read here the numbers are different

 

[schwaggs]

You want to raise Mg first.

 

[acroholic]

eagle9252;793965 wrote: its in med not dkh.



when you read here the numbers are different

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php</a>[/QUOTE]

Is your current KH 6 meq? That is 17 dKH.:o

 

[ichthyoid]

It seems to me this is a classic case of 'ionic imbalance'.

Randy Holmes-Farley suggests that the best way to correct this may be via water changes.

The bigger concern is to identify how/why it got this way?

-JMHO

 

[acroholic]

barry_keith;794004 wrote: According to the chart it's at 6.5 dkh now but it shows the desired level is 6 Dkh.

He says the KH is in "med, not dKH", but I thought that may be a typo for meq.

 

[eagle9252]

Yeap typo meg not med. I double checked the old numbers and from the RSCP test it said 12.5dkh and 4.5meg this was the first of Aug.

I kept adding buffer 8.3 to raise ph but it never went up and did not realize it would raise the Alk up and a week later I tested everything and it was way high. So it has come down some. The lfs says it should be 4 to 6meg. On 8-18-12 they tested it and it was 7.5meg as stated. Doing weekly WC of 15g.

 

[ralph atl]

eagle9252;794039 wrote: Yeap typo meg not med. I double checked the old numbers and from the RSCP test it said 12.5dkh and 4.5meg this was the first of Aug.

I kept adding buffer 8.3 to raise ph but it never went up and did not realize it would raise the Alk up and a week later I tested everything and it was way high. So it has come down some. The lfs says it should be 4 to 6meg. On 8-18-12 they tested it and it was 7.5meg as stated. Doing weekly WC of 15g.

shoot for 9.0 dKH (or 3.20 meg/L)

just use soda ash daily until you get it corrected (along with water changes).
like this:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-media-additives/calcium-and-alkalinity-additives/brs-bulk-soda-ash-sodium-carbonate-aquarium-supplement.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-media-additives/calcium-and-alkalinity-additives/brs-bulk-soda-ash-sodium-carbonate-aquarium-supplement.html</a>

calculator:

[IMG]http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-calculator</a>

Do not increase alkalinity levels more than 0.5meq/lt or 1.4 dKH per day