Wanted: Coralline Algae

[BUGZME]

I've read alot about people having problems with oceanic salt, high levels of phosphate and nitrate. Eric told me that if i used it i wouldn't have to dose b-ionic everyday! how do you feel about his statement?

[davejnz]

Your tank is gonna use alk/cal no matter what kinda salt you use so your still gonna have to dose,the alk tends to be low in Oceanic so you'll need more of that part,calcium is high so those values might be easier to maintain with less of that part of the 2-part product

[dakar]

I agree with Dave, Oceanic is what we started with and now that's all we use here, right from the mix to ~1.024SG I measure Alk around 7dkh but Cal is 520ppm. Phosphates are measurable at our water source, 3ppm before RO/DI and barely measurable after, and hold about the same after the salt mix so no complaints there. I substituted IO once, that's a mistake I will never repeat, with a big water change in s smaller (55g) tank the chemistry differences were very dramatic, and the whole system did not react well at all.

So my nickel's worth, if you are going to changie salts, do it slowly and test at least daily.

[Whoyah]

a cheaper fix would be to supplement epsom salts and just use the Tech M to maintain those levels

How do you go about fixing the Mg level with epsom salts?

[davejnz]

I'll let Repto respond,he's got experience with using them and can probably give you amounts

[Reptoreef]

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html ...here's a link to a calculator that will surely be of help... Be sure to keep up on your water changes.

[Reptoreef]

BTW, if you're too worried about long-term epsom use, here's a link to a homemade mag suppliment. http://web.archive.org/web/200306242...io/default.asp..

[Whoyah]

Thanks for the links. We should consider adding a permanent link button on CR for the calculator. The second one seems to have problems though.

[JustDavidP]

Whoyah...

Check out Reef Central and search for "Randy Holmes-Farley" and "epsom". Randy is an incredible chemist and reefer. He has written many articles about alk/calc and the use of additives such as epsom salts, calcium chloride etc.

Dave

PS....FWIW...I found that even with high calcium levels, I had problems with coraline algae growth. It wasn't until I got my alk down that I noticed a huge spike in growth. I use IO...and like it, but I also dose B-Ionics and do frequent water changes, so the lack of trace is not a problem. Finally, I use natural salt water all summer long.

[Whoyah]

Check out Reef Central and search for "Randy Holmes-Farley" and "epsom"

Thanks for the tip. I will check it out when I ready to start messing with magnesium level. I have a Salifert's Mag test kit on order. It should be in soon.

It wasn't until I got my alk down that I noticed a huge spike in growth.

Down?? Where were you at and what level are you at now? My tank is pretty stable at 9.5.

Finally, I use natural salt water all summer long

Like from the ocean? Do you go down and throw a bucket in and take it home?


My Cal level was around 380 and I have raised it over the last two weeks to 450. Alk still at 9.5, pH 8.3 at lights out. Hopefully raising the Cal level and determining the Mag level and adjusting will bring on the PURPLE HAZE I am looking for.