What can I do to rasie my calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by TORMENTOR, Mar 7, 2009.

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  1. TORMENTOR

    TORMENTOR Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2008
    Messages:
    130
    Location:
    Peotone, Illinois
    I tested my levels today and I am low on my magnesium (930) alkalinity-8 and Calcium (280)
    My tank is new, set it up Feb.17 and it completed its cycle last weekend, for the last week of testing everything stayed the same for Ammonia 0, PH 8.2 , SG 1.023, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0

    What products do you recommend to bring my levels up for the Ca, KH and Mg? Whats the best brands etc...?

    My tank is a 75g with a 30g sump

    ThankS, Rich
     
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  3. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2008
    Messages:
    2,350
    Location:
    CT
    First get your Mag up. A couple cups of epsom salt should do it. Add 1 cup (mixed in water) at a time, then test again a little later. 1 cup won't over shoot it in your 75g.
    Add Calcuim and baking soda as needed, according to the 3reef calculator, depending on what calcium product you're using.
     
  4. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2007
    Messages:
    7,933
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Since your system is new, I doubt that you have any corals, you dont have to worry about Mag, Cal and Alk as of yet. When you start adding corals, then worry about those elements. For now, just check the following; SG, Nh3, No2, No3, Po4 and temp.

    When your ready to start supplementing, there are lots of choices out there. Everywhere from already made to home-made supplements. Luna
     
  5. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
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    4,622
    Location:
    Shelton, Washington
    Yeah....that Mg needs to come up first. Then Ca, then dKh. Do this slowly over the next several days. By the book the Mg is no more than 100ppm per day, Ca no more than 25ppm per day and I generally do not raise my dKH by more than 2 or 3 points per day (I have never found a number representing a max). If you do things too fast, the pH can fluctuate. I try to keep my levels, just a point of reference....and this varies from aquarist to aquarist at

    Mg: 1600
    Ca: 480
    dKH: 12 to 15