Dosing Calcium and ph Buff-Skimmer going Crazy

cool I'll try that and re-post with results--thanks again

 

Hello, you sound like you are a fair novice to this hobby. The Magnesium is an element not a chemical. There are essential elements and trace elements. Really, both are needed in a reef tank, but at the very least the essential elements. You must check the Mag level (get a kit or have LFS do it) to establish what level you are at now so you will know how much you have to raise it. After raising it to 1250-1350 (ocean level) and then checking it weekly to determine the consumption rate, you may only have to add it a couple times a week to maintain the appropriate level.
Salt mixes do not usually contain adequate levels of essential elements to properly maintain adequate levels in our tanks. Many aquarists (me included) only do water changes every 4-6 weeks so using water changes to maintain proper levels is impractical. Even if you want to do water changes once a week you would have to do a substantial exchange of water to even think of coming close to getting marginal boosts in your level of essential elements.

 

Thanks--I am always learning, Started this tank in july 08--I have been very succesful in the fact that I take everything very very slow and that I have not lost a single living thing so far. Just want to finish the live rock and have the water ready for corals when it comes that time. I do understand the chemical and esential elements difference (I just used that as a general term) I dont want to be the victim of a LFS. Well if you dose this then you have to add that, and if you add that then you have to drip this. You see where I am headed. I have 5 freshwater tanks that are all doing very well and this is my first saltwater reef, so I do really really appreciate everyones help.

 

This is why we are here...to help and to learn. Many of us who have been at this awhile can steer others through the LFS blur. Not all LFS have qualified help and only "parot" what they have been told. Inquiring here first will save some head aches and confusion, we hope!