Water change additives

I have been raiseing my mag calcium and alk over a couple of weeks, its time to do a water change, i know these levels will drop when i do it so question is

1-should i just change the water then test and bring it back up over a couple of days? or

2-add them to the water change water?

 

option 1 as the levels might not drop!

 

what type of salt are you using? The salt should actually replinish them? Try to use some reef type of salt versus just marine salt. Reef salt (many types) will have higher levels of elements that are needed and you will not see that drop

 

i use io, but have heard by changeing salts could give me a algae bloom besides other things?

 

very unlikely. Most marine salt brands have roughly the same composition, aside from some of them having higher levels of certain minerals, eg: Reefcrystals having higher Mag, Ca, etc than regular Instant Ocean. Many people constantly change up their salt brands every bucket they buy just to test them out. Dont fear trying new stuff out - just might find something that you reall like!

As to the original post you wrote- What level of Magnesium and Calcium were you trying to attain- and what level do you have at the moment before your water change?

Most Salt brands will raise these levels to a fairly high level, however they do deplete quite quickly due to absorption from coral, inverts, corraline algae, etc. (really the only reason you need to use mag and Ca additives).

 

As far as I've seen, all salt mixes need to be supplemented with Ca and Mg and Alk to varying degrees. I do not think these really replenish completely. In particular if you are trying to raise your levels, a WC will not accomplish this unless you add to the mix.



If you are trying to get your levels up to a particular level, IMO, I would wait on the WC's until you achieve the target levels. Then, later when mixing your water for a WC, mix it and add CA, Mg, Alk to the level of the water you are replacing.

 

Simple is best.

Let's say you supplement the newly mixed water before addition. Then after you add it, you find the end result has values too high? Then you've got issues. You have to either wait for them to drop naturally (not an envious position), or do yet another water change to compensate for the previous mistake.

The better way, I think; is the simpler way. Do your water change, then supplement the tank. This way at the very least, you're almost guaranteed that you have to move levels up. And that's not so bad.

I agree with phoenixheights on this one.

 

...................and I agree with Reefsparky who agrees with Phoenixheights.;D



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