Kalk, Ca+reactors and Mg+?????????

[prow]

hello there. i have this little issue. not a problem just a issue. i am running a DIY kalk reactor and a Ca+reactor. just over the past 6 months or so i have added regular testing of Mg with my other routine tests. come to find out my gets depleted. using kalk and Ca+reactors i know they deplete the Mg, especially kalk, but this seems rather excessive. anyway my Ca stays at 415 pretty solid, Alk 3.2-3.5, ph runs 8.17-8.35(AM-PM, average last week) its the Mg that is getting sucked up. i add about 400-600ml everyweek to keep it at 1240-1340. its not water changes, that i add to and make sure its at 1350. i am using reef cystals and out of 10 tests with different batches during water changes the Ca average is at 410-415, Alk at 4.2-4.46 and a Mg level of 1200-1230. i dont dose anything but the Mg to the water for changes. normally i am having to add alot of Mg. just wondering if anyone else sees these numbers on the Mg? i have not checked yet but am thinking of checking on stronium, anythoughts?

FYI: i have seen a huge difference in growth rates in my sps while dosing with Mg. also i took on and off my Ca+reactor that made a real big difference, so it might more that, but i did notice increased growth after dosing Mg after the reactor was going for awhile at different times.

[sasquatch]

Thanks Prow, since dosing kalk my mg has fallen regularly, the coralline algae was all turning white, started checking mg and sure enough it was down, 3 days after adding the pink plague has begun in earnest.

[mps9506]

Prow, look into adding some dolomite to your Calcium reactor media to help maintain your Mg levels without having to dose.

[prow]

sweet, thanks mps9506. i was thinking about that. how much do you add % wise to the reactor?

[prow]

Originally Posted by sasquatch

Thanks Prow, since dosing kalk my mg has fallen regularly, the coralline algae was all turning white, started checking mg and sure enough it was down, 3 days after adding the pink plague has begun in earnest.

nice, the pink battle is on

[Frankie]

Good thread Prow.
I have not had a drop in anything since using a diy kalk reactor. Maybe my salt is high in all those elements because i seem to be fine after 2 months now. I use sera salt.
What kind of lime are you using btw? I use Mrs. wages. Gave up on the kent kalk for cost reasons.

[mps9506]

How often are you doing water changes?

[prow]

thanks, i think the Mg+ issue is under rated for some. i too use Mrs. wages. i do have a pretty good load, demand wise.

i do 15-20gals(10-15%)every 10days, changes a little, i tend to over feed with new additions and alter things accordingly. the past 2 months its been 20gals every 8-10days. tank system is 150gals actual water volume. maybe i should change it up to something like 30gal(20%) every 15days or something.

[mps9506]

I'm a Mrs. Wages user also
The increased water change volume would probably help. I would check the Mg on your makeup water also, just to see where your starting point is at. Could be using a mix that is already low.

[prow]

na, not the make up water. Mg is 1200-1230 at first but i dose it to 1350ish before changing water. it let it sit 24 hours before i test it after dosing. i have to admit i dont test every batch. but i try to do it once a month, i am not religious about it though. all tests i do do come out pretty close. besides i get it up to 1300-1340 and it slowly drops(slowly being a couple days) to 1200. takes about 3 days, then i have to dose 200-300ml of WM balanced Mg+ to get it back up. this is inbetween water changes.

i will increase changes for a bit see how that goes. i will also try to up the Mg to 1400. to see if it will hold better. i know my Ca is hard to keep at 400 but closer to 420 seems easier or more stable for some reason in this tank.

is there any certain name brand you recommend for the dolomite. food grade/lab grade type thing? i have heard there are some with high levels of impurities and others that are more pure. anythougts on it?

[Boomer]

Not all dolomite is dolomite You would almost need to see an assay sheet or get it tested. There is a transition form limestone to dolomite.

Limestone (CaCO3 100%)<--------------> Dolomite ( CaMg(CO3)2 100 % )

The std dosage for a reactor is 10 % by vol. You need to be careful as Dolomite has twice the Alk of Calcite/Aragonite, CaCO3. So, if you add to much the Alk will go through the roof, reason behind only 10 %. The purer it is the more the Alk boost.

The stuff by the Zeovite people is really good.

ZEOvitUSA: ZEOMag

[prow]

nniiiiiccee, thanks. good info too. does it matter if the media is mixed good or should i set up layers, if so which is best top layer or bottom, or does it even matter?

[Boomer]

I would try for a layer in the middle

[prow]

the middle, why didnt i think of that. i just always figured there is only one things that starts in the middle, did not think this was it.

thanks, i will have to give updates later. i just changed my media about 1 month ago and stocked up on Mg so it will have to wait till my Mg supply start to get low or the media get exhausted, which ever occurs first. might soon, the media has already dropped about 0.5" in the reactor and the DKH is starting to drop, last week was 35+ this week sitting high 20's to low 30's. thanks again i cannot wait to rid myself of all this Mg sups and testing.