What is ideal for Phosphates, Mag and Alk

[sturnmeyer]

What does everyone consider idea for Phosphates, Magnesium and Alkalinity?

[flowerseller]

I have Salifert test kits. While I like them, Salifert seems to go out of their way to make the test complicated with many steps.

I have tested for PO4 and it's 0.0

Tested for Mg and it was 1320 1300-1500 reccomended

Alk 4.23meg/L 3.0-5.0 rec

[sturnmeyer]

I have Salifert test kits. While I like them, Salifert seems to go out of their way to make the test complicated with many steps.

I have tested for PO4 and it's 0.0

Tested for Mg and it was 1320  1300-1500 reccomended

Alk  4.23meg/L  3.0-5.0 rec

51458[/snapback]

 

Thanks Chip....

 

I've got 6.3 on the Alk and 1650 on Magnesium....All others are right on the money...

[flowerseller]

So what is it you're adding to get those #s?

What are you testing with?

[sturnmeyer]

That's what is weird, I'm not adding anything....it's confusing me because I do nothing but 10% water changes every week with IO.

 

I have a Seachem test kit, but I just bought that. I had another test kit which I don't remember them name off the top of my head ,but that was reading the same. Exactly the reason why I bought a second.

 

It gets stranger. I have a 10g frank tank that I use the same pre-mixed water for changes and the readings are right on the money....

 

Just doesn't make sense...

[flowerseller]

t gets stranger. I have a 10g frank tank that I use the same pre-mixed water for changes and the readings are right on the money....

Maybe not at least by my thinking and PE..........

By ratio, a heavily stocked frag tank vs a lightly stocked main tank,

The demands are not as high per gallon on the MT than they are on the FT.

I find this to be true on occasion in my FT and MT which are on the same system. I attribute this to water turnover and recent new frags.

The SG and PH are the same in each tank right?

Higher or lower SG have different element content, also by ratio.

H or L PH may indicate over load or be as simple as a circulation issue.

In your case with the ALK and Mg elevated, I'd look at:

getting second opinion on tests

rock and substrate in each - are they the same?

types of corals in each - some may use different elements at different rates?

Lighting on each - I have long been suspect of different lighting causing corals to use elements differently due to the photo process as a response to to color temp.

 

to clarify above:

I have less # of pieces per gallon by ratio in the MT than in the FT.

Size difference in pieces between the two is substancial however 95% of my frags are mounted and I don't sell until they are encrusted or actively re-growing.

Same light, substrate, and rock. The difference is flow, and the MT has 03,

while the FT has none.

 

If you come, I will test,

Front Royal .........

I ordered Salifert test kits from aquatictech.com

 

HTH