Perameter Problem

Okay, I was testing my calcium, alk and ph. My alk is 8dkh, ph 8.2, and ca somewhere around 480. I know I have to get my alk up, will this lower my ca? I have no idea why my Calc is so hi, i have not added any calcium supps in over a month. I seem to have a problem keeping my alk at 9-10dkh. anyone have any ideas or suggestions?


thanks

 

Where is the magnesium setting at ? Its the mag that keep the carbonates and Calcium in a happy relation.. They really do not like to play in the same box with one another and the Mag acts as the referee and in really needed. Also if one is allowed to get over top of the other then it will repress the lower one. So if you add magnesium then adjust the DK up wards then the Ca will lower a bit. As for Ph it really means nothing if the DK is at proper levels then the PH has to be its the DKH Carbonate levels that control the P.H not the other way around..And if you are testing PH with a reagent test then its probably way off anyways also the time of day its tested also effects that reading . Long story short just keep the DKH at proper levels and save money and not by PH test..

 

I think Tangster and R.H. Farley may agree on this one thing ;D

Chemistry and the Aquarium

This is a good read for helping you understand some of the parameters and what can happen when they get out of whack. Including the magnesium issues.


Jim

 

LOL never us my name is a sentence with that clown LOL It was all figured out long before he was born LOL hell i had tanks when he was still swing hahahahah You funny man..hahaha good on.. I just don't take a boring book read to say it..

 

Nice link Diver1298

 

I have never checked my magnesium and how can I tell if my ph test is a reagant one? I use american pharm test kits except for my calcium which is the seachem...which I hate. The american pharm are so much faster and easier. I test my ph at night, usually between 7:30 - 8:30. I am not too sure how the 2 perameters got out of wack, they were perfect before 400ppm and 9 dkh. I read a few articles that stated that the likely hood of magnesium being the cause for alk and ca problems are actually really slim and I hate the thought of spending $50 on a test kit for magnesium as I have so many other things I'd like to spend my money on...more snails, equipment, corals. Don't think I am trying to neglect my tank, if anything it comes first besides my cats but I have to be very choosy in the financial department. I think someone should come up with an affordable test kit for magnesium.

 

Hey Nemo. See if your local fish store will test your magnesium for you. I completely disagree with the articles that indicate that low magnesium levels wouldn't cause calcium and alk problems but I do agree that those test kits need to be a bit cheaper!

 

Reef Status Magnesium
eBay: Seachem Reef Status Magnesium and 3 other Tests (item 7762907732 end time Jan-23-07 15:39:09 PST)
I use this test kit and paid about $42.00 for it at my LFS
I know how you feel about spending too much...I just don't know what to say about it

Jim

Here's another one. Good name brand but I haven't tried it.
eBay: Salifert Magnesium Test Kit (item 320070093004 end time Jan-16-07 14:53:30 PST)

 

Mag test are not that expensive and i don't no what articals you read and what expert was flexing his brain but all i cn base what i say on is many many yrs of fighting every problem there is with a marine and f/w aquarium. Take a coupe of spoons of Epsom salts and toss in there Just because I think its going to be low If you have never added it or tested for it as corallines and corals uptake it also along with calcium carbonates .
And add it like that weekley until you can get it tested .. If you are testing PH with a liquid drop type test kit then its not even close and as I said thats a Kit you can toss .. If you test at night when lights have been on for all day then in say the early A.M its would read like 7.8 Its the Carbonate level that you need to worry about PH just lets you know there are carbonates in there not at what levels.. But I'd really sugguest that you get a simple Mag test kit and get the up to 1400 ppm asap.. The absensence of Mag is what causes many to fight the falling PH syndrom until the end.. I like that reef status kit as Thats what i have and it also test the carbonate and what part of the carbonates are from Borate..Its a 3 in one test kit.

 

Diver you know I was just joking with you I hope you did as all I was doing was just goofing around with you. Thats a fault of mine being serious all the time gives me a headache.