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View Full Version : can someone help me figure out why my Mg is 1540ppm?!

thatreefguy22
12/15/2013, 04:07 AM
Okay, so today is a WC day on my 20L soon to be a nano reef.
the last water change was 2 weeks ago of 2 gallons. so 10%.
and did a full test on the parameters using the red sea reef pro test kit on 12/07/2013 just to see where I was with mg, ca, dkh.

12/07/2013:
temp-76F
sg-1.023
nitrate-10ppm
Mg-1180ppm
Ca-430ppm
Alk.-11.9dKH


And no dosing since I am new to this, and the salt I used on the last WC 2 weeks ago was instant ocean. Today, the WC I'm going to start with using the reef crystals and keep to this salt by instant ocean.
And will be testing Tuesdays and Thursdays for mg, ca, and Alk. Just to see how my system works while staying with 10% weekly WC's. seemed like a pretty solid plan to me.

And now for the last test I just did before I finally take the 2 gallons from my system and replace it with the freshly mixed saltwater using IO: reef crystals today...

12/15/2013:
temp-76F (only 1 50W at the moment, will add another one to get this at a stable 79-80)
sg-1.024
Mg-1540ppm(???)
Ca-435ppm
Alk.12.1dKH
nitrate-15ppm

Please, it will be greatly appreciated if someone help me figure out why my Mg went way up without a WC for 2 weeks, and no dosing. only 2 snails in the tank. and it's weird how ca and alk went up very little?
:/

I do have clownfish, but they are staying in the QT until I can medicate them with prazi pro because they seem to have an internal worm of some sort. (pooping white) that is besides this post, though.

I Thank you all in advance!
downbeach
12/15/2013, 06:58 AM
I would check your test procedure with that Mg kit. It's a little tricky since you have to mix each of the five drops of reagent A for 15 seconds between each drop, it's a PITA, but you won't get proper results unless you do it that way. Here is a demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhYhbgMDPPE
thatreefguy22
12/15/2013, 07:31 AM
I would check your test procedure with that Mg kit. It's a little tricky since you have to mix each of the five drops of reagent A for 15 seconds between each drop, it's a PITA, but you won't get proper results unless you do it that way. Here is a demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhYhbgMDPPE

I did the reagent A right. +1 drop after every 15 seconds of mixing it.
I am going to do my 10% water change on my DT today, and then test again tuesday. ....wait, I did reagent B and mixed that for 60 seconds and then went right on to adding the titrant solution....maybe I should mix reagent B and then wait 1 minute before using the titrant. :) silly on my part. LOL

okay now that has been solved..would you have any useful tips/info on adding easy/soft corals for beginners?
I mean, I think I have quite the handle on how things work in the saltwater aquarium world. the basics, that is. lol.

I've looked into mushrooms...and I still don't know all too much of them.
downbeach
12/15/2013, 07:57 AM
Here's (http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/about-corals/best-beginner-coral-choices/) a good starting point, but keep in mind that some of these corals can take over a tank if left unchecked, Kenya Tree, Star Polyps and Xenia's are a few that come to mind.
snorvich
12/15/2013, 09:08 AM
Here's (http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/about-corals/best-beginner-coral-choices/) a good starting point, but keep in mind that some of these corals can take over a tank if left unchecked, Kenya Tree, Star Polyps and Xenia's are a few that come to mind.

Actually, those corals will take over the tank if left unchecked.
thatreefguy22
12/15/2013, 05:17 PM
Here's (http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/about-corals/best-beginner-coral-choices/) a good starting point, but keep in mind that some of these corals can take over a tank if left unchecked, Kenya Tree, Star Polyps and Xenia's are a few that come to mind.

looks like a good website, but the top of the page all the words are crammed together? not sure if that was intended by the creator of the site..hmm. thanks a lot though!!
thatreefguy22
12/15/2013, 05:25 PM
Actually, those corals will take over the tank if left unchecked.

and to prevent over crowding of a coral, would I just remove it and place it in a separate coral/frag tank? with it's own lighting? If so, how would I set up a coral-only tank if I ever had to set a small one up?
and to just save time/money/space...if it does come down to having a coral-only tank/bare bottom, could I just plumb it to my sump I have running on my 20L display?
I have many questions about coral keeping/fish keeping.
learning as I go guys, thanks again for working with me.