Tank Chemistry Question

[jdm01]

Okay, so I am a terrible chemist! I never really was all that great at chemistry in high school and here I am in a hobby that appears to be heavily chemistry intensive. My nitrate is 0, ph is at 8.0, salinity has been around 1.026, magnesium is around 1260 ppm, calcium is around 440 ppm, and strontium is around 3 ppm. All other parameters seem to be okay. Over the weekend and early week this week I was able to get my calcium up to where it should be. I now need to bring up the strontium. I will test for iodine next, just to be sure. I have been dosing Kent Marine supplements just because that is what is available from the LFS. I am using Salifert tests where I can. Below is the link to my new tank thread.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=825253

My goal is to be primarily LPS. How much strontium can I add to the system and over what period of time in order to bring the level up and not shock everything?

[PatMayo]

Hi John,
I personally think you are wasting your time worrying about the strontium and the iodine. First off there is no real need to dose either in my opinion. The benefits of dosing iodine have never been established and the testing methods are not accurate. If you overdose it will be extremely harmful to the livestock.

I also think strontium is a waste of time.

A good salt mix and frequent water changes are all that is needed to replace these elements in my opinion.

Randy will give you his take on things and I'm sure others will chime in as well.

Regards,

Pat

[mg426]

I dont think its worth the hassle. Just do regular water changes.

[PatMayo]

John, Here is some reading for you regarding your questions. This will help you to make and informed and intelligent decision. These should answer all your questions.

Regards,

Pat

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/mar2003/chem.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...l2003/chem.htm

and about strontium

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2003/chem.htm

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree that iodine and strontium are not generally beneficial supplements. I have not added any of either for years.

[jdm01]

Got it. You told me that before and I forgot. I reread the article and understand now. I even set up a spreadsheet to help prevent the confusion in the future.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Happy reefing.

[jdm01]

I have checked all of my water parameters. They are as follows (from yesterday):

Calcium 440ppm (as of 2 days ago)
Alkalinity 3.66 meg/L; 10.2 dkh
Salinity 1.026
Temperature 80
ph 8.08
Nitrate 0 ppm

I will check magnesium tomorrow. I am adding about 1 gallon of RO daily. The temp does not fluctuate more than 2 degrees per day - approx 79-81. Just an update.

The ph in the morning this morning was actually around 7.8. What is the safest way to increase ph without goofing up something else? I have some thoughts based on other reading and suggestions made, but thought I would ask first for a change.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The best ways to keep pH up are more aeration with fresh air, or through the use of high pH calcium and alkalinity systems, such as limewater.

This article has more:

Low pH: Causes and Cures
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

[jdm01]

I have been letting the system sit and have been trying to get the water balanced out properly. I think I have everything where it needs to be at this point with only one exception. The only parameter that I think is out of balance right now is the magnesium. (The ph is a little low, but I have a good idea of how to fix that now.) I have looked around, but have not found much about how to increase the magnesium level. Following are the tanks current parameters.

Calcium (ppm) 446
(KH) Alkalinity (meg/L) 3.71
KH (Alkalinity) (dKH) 10.4
Salinity 1.025
Temperature 82
pH (acceptable 7.8-8.5) 8.00
Nitrate (ppm) 0 mg/L
Magnesium (ppm) 1050

Any thoughts?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Magnesium ought to be in the range of 1250-1350 ppm or so. You can use a commercial magnesium supplement, or MAG flake from a place like Home Depot. Boost it 100 ppm per day or less.
This calculator shows how much to add:

Reef Chemicals Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html


This article talks about MAG flake sources:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#17

These articles also have more on magnesium:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Magnesium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm


The other parameters look OK, although I'd personally raise the specific gravity to match natural seawater at about 1.0264.

[jdm01]

Thanks Randy. If I use the MAG flake, will it change any of my other water parameters or will they all pretty much stay the same?

[PatMayo]

I have been unable to find the magflake so I use B-Ionic liquid magnesium. It comes in 1 gallon jugs and is not too terribly expensive.

Regards,

Pat

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If I use the MAG flake, will it change any of my other water parameters or will they all pretty much stay the same?

Same.

[jdm01]

Randy and Pat, thanks for the advice.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Good luck.

[jdm01]

If the alkalinity level of a tank is well beyond the preferred range, what symptoms would the tank display? I do not have any symptoms that I know of right now, but my alkalinity is rather high (roughly in the 13-14 dKH range).

[jdm01]

Okay, I just read another thread on this same question. I was using Seachem Marine Buffer to raise the ph. This is probably the cause of the rise in alk. Now that the alk is high and calcium is a little low but still acceptable (~380), the idea would be to stop the 2 part (b-ionic). I should let the alk fall and use a calcium chloride to maintain or slightly increase calcium. The last time I used Kent turbo-calcium. The label says it is a calcium chloride product. Would this be safe to use while I let the alk fall? So far the water is crystal clear, the corals are doing well (mostly soft and LPS), and coraline has started to grow.

[jdm01]

I should mention that ph is in the 7.9 (am) - 8.1 (pm) range.

[Gudwyn]

Don't use buffers to adjust pH.

In theory, better airation will fix your pH if your alk is in the right range.

But the easiest fix (in my opinion) is to set up a limewater drip to replace your evaporation. MrsWages pickling lime is pretty cheap.

Read Randy's article about low pH. It's near the top of this list http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=102605

[Gudwyn]

With regard to your current situation:

0. Read Randy's articles so you understand what is happening. Then make changes slowly.

1. stop adding the buffer, just try to improve airation (skimmer sucking air from outside stand, open a window in the house, etc)

2. Adjust your Ca to the right range using CaCl (Turbo Calcium or Peladow). I would do this in increments over several days with testing between so you don't overshoot or cause a mass precipitation event.

3. Wait for everything to fall to right levels. Other than trying to improve airation, ignore your pH problem. During this time, read Randy's stuff about Ca/Alk supplementation schemes and solutions to low pH.

4. By the time you reach four, you'll know what to do (I'd start with limewater)

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The last time I used Kent turbo-calcium. The label says it is a calcium chloride product. Would this be safe to use while I let the alk fall?

Yes, that's a fine way to go.

FWIW, 13-14 dKH is not much above the normal ranges that I recommend of 7-11 dKH, so it need not drop much.

[jdm01]

Thanks,

Believe it or not I really do try to read the info you provide. Unfortunately chemistry drives me nuts. I guess if I stay at it long enough I will eventually figure it out - kind of.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Believe it or not I really do try to read the info you provide

I believe it.

Good luck!