High Mag ok?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by wildblue, Apr 30, 2009.

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  1. wildblue

    wildblue Astrea Snail

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    I've had a very high Ca reading the last three weeks. Dkh has remained at 8. I've had some trouble trying to keep my PH up (7.9 as of 20 minutes ago). I got a mag test and woah.. Mag reading was 1620 ppm.

    So that explains how my Ca can be so high with the dkh not dropping. My question is, is this acceptable? Google didn't give much on lowering mag, most every article was on dosing, not removing. The impressions I get from the RK article on chemistry imply that a high Ca is useless but not harmful. This sound right? I'm going to assume for now that my PH is related.


    It looks like running carbon should reduce it. But I'm a little worried about precipitation and a dkh drop if I do. So if it isn't hurting anything, I may leave it.



    Info:
    Ca test: API
    Mg test: Sera
    Salt: Coralife (apparently known to be high in mag) 1
     
    wildblue, Apr 30, 2009
    wildblue, Apr 30, 2009
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  2. Robman

    Robman Great White Shark

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    high ca and mag will not hurt anything long term...as long as you do not keep dosing, they will drop on their own, especially if you have inhabitants that use ca. If it really bothers you, do a partial water change (20%) using Instant Ocean regular sea salt mix. It is lower in mg and ca than other salts like Reef Crystals and Oceanic.
     
    Robman, Apr 30, 2009
    Robman, Apr 30, 2009
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  3. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    You can lower the mag by doing water changes. I'm not sure I would do anything though. It will go down on its own. That's not really a bad number. How high is your Ca?
     
    missionsix, Apr 30, 2009
    missionsix, Apr 30, 2009
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  4. wildblue

    wildblue Astrea Snail

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    Ca is around 530 ppm.

    It won't bother me a bit as long as it isn't harmful having such a high mag/ca. The readings have been pretty stable since setup, third 10% wc was done yesterday. In fact, I'd be glad to not worry about dosing mag/ca later on when I have more livestock that use them.
     
    wildblue, Apr 30, 2009
    wildblue, Apr 30, 2009
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  5. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    The 3 parameters in question should be in sync. Keep adding buffer and raise alkalinity to 11 and higher. Then I'd sit and monitor until they lower to your preferred levels. Your Ca/mg ratio is close to a preferred 3:1.
     
    missionsix, Apr 30, 2009
    missionsix, Apr 30, 2009
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  6. wildblue

    wildblue Astrea Snail

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    Excellent, I'll do that. Thank you both.
     
    wildblue, Apr 30, 2009
    wildblue, Apr 30, 2009
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  7. Robman

    Robman Great White Shark

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    Anytime!!!
     
    Robman, Apr 30, 2009
    Robman, Apr 30, 2009
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  8. unclejed

    unclejed Whip-Lash Squid

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    The 530 reading is "in line" with the formula that states; mag should be 3X what calc is. 530 x 3 = 1590 so it's close. Do take the advice on buffering though, it is sound advice.
     
    unclejed, Apr 30, 2009
    unclejed, Apr 30, 2009
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