anyone have problems with Crushed Coral substrate?

[new2salt2]

i cant find a MG test around here. would have to order one to get it tested. LFS looked at me llike i was crazy to ask for one. They told me that they wouldl not carry them as MG has never come up as a concern for Salt tanks. Then told me that i should not worry about it.

[JohnO]

[quote author=new2salt2 link=board=General;num=1083728275;start=60#60 date=05/10/04 at 15:51:21]i cant find a MG test around here. *would have to order one to get it tested. *LFS looked at me llike i was crazy to ask for one. *They told me that they wouldl not carry them as MG has never come up as a concern for Salt tanks. *Then told me that i should not worry about it.[/quote]

....and what did you expect them to say

Stick with the people here, their advice is excellent and will save you a lot of money in the long run

John

[new2salt2]

how much is good test kit? can i buy a cheap one?

[JohnO]

Here's some interesting data re Mag from Salifert



Magnesium is present in NSW in a fairly high concentration (1300 - 1400 mg/L). Magnesium is an essential part of chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis plants, including algae and the corals, which we usually have in our aquariums, would not be able to live.



Magnesium has another important function since in fact makes maintaining the correct combination of calcium concentration and alkalinity or carbonate hardness possible.



The explanation is as follows. Calcium forms with carbonates and bicarbonates an insoluble compound called calcium carbonate. Yes this is indeed an important building stone for corals and calcareous algae but then it should be formed by biological processes and be deposited at the right place. Therefore formation of calcium carbonate by chemical processes should be avoided.



Even without biological interference calcium carbonate would be formed and would deplete calcium and alkalinity or carbonate hardness without fulfilling any function. In fact it will scavenge many important trace elements as well lowering the trace element concentration.


Magnesium slows down this negative process. The lower the magnesium concentration the faster this negative process will take place and also at a much lower calcium and alkalinity/carbonate hardness value.



Maintaining a correct magnesium concentration is therefore very important and is indirectly responsible for fast coral and calcareous algae growth by virtue of making the maintenance of correct calcium and alkalinity figures possible.



Magnesium is depleted by algae and is also depleted by the use of excessive kalkwasser and by going far beyond natural calcium and alkalinity and pH values.



There are also certain brands of salt, which have or had a dramatically low magnesium content. Use of such a salt will result in permanent problems with calcium and carbonate hardness values.



Conclusion:

The measurement of magnesium and taking corrective measures are justified. Magnesium additives should be such that no ionic imbalance is created. Furthermore many magnesium salts contain sufficient amounts of ammonia to upset biological balances. Very high-grade magnesium salts are therefore required.

Magnesium is an element which was neglected for a long time. The magnesium content of some aquariums appears to be rather low when tested. Corrective measures have to taken for a balanced reef system.



The Salifert magnesium test is very straightforward and does not suffer from calcium and strontium interferences when within certain bounds. It measures in sufficient accurate steps of 30 mg/L with a sharp color change. The kit can perform approx. 50 measurements.

I likee that info.
Magnesium has another important function since in fact makes maintaining the correct combination of calcium concentration and alkalinity or carbonate hardness possible.
I will look for the test kits and let ya know.
Hey Newie you should print that and give it to your LFS guys,

[new2salt2]

actually i think they are considering me to be a pain in their A$$. ill go in with some information that they didnt want me to know. like why their Anenemies are bleached now and such. now one of the 2 peeps in the department walk away when i go in and simetimes i have to look around and ask for help as they are busy holding up counters in other places when i start to look around.

[quote author=new2salt2 link=board=General;num=1083728275;start=60#65 date=05/11/04 at 08:00:02]actually i think they are considering me to be a pain in their A$$. *ill go in with some information that they didnt want me to know. *like why their Anenemies are bleached now and such. *now one of the 2 peeps in the department walk away when i go in and simetimes i have to look around and ask for help as they are busy holding up counters in other places when i start to look around. *[/quote]

Information is power, tell them peta is on it's way. LOL

http://cheapcorals.com/product_info....roducts_id/336


http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...nt/103478.html

http://www.eaquanature.com/store/pro...products_id=42

[new2salt2]

good news.. since i added the shrooms and took out the crab my water is now PH 8.3, SG 1.023, calc 525 and Alk is 4.5 so its going down now slowly. no water changed, but that was after last weeks precipitation too LOL. ill keep up and post more results

[JohnO]

Looks like things are heading in a better direction :-)

Were you at one stage using Kalkwasser?

John