Alk Cal Mag for dummies?

Hi all, I'm trying to get a better understanding of these three items in my tank. I have tried reading some articles on reefkeeping and about the second paragraph my mind is off in the clouds.

Would there be something that could get the basics down for a guy that isn't so smart? (that's me btw)

Thank you!

 

What are you trying to keep in your aquarium?


One trick is to keep your mag stable in the 1200 - 1400 range. That will keep your alk and cal from chasing each other's tail so much.

 

Right now it's considered a mixed reef, there's a little of everything. So, I think that could make things a bit more complicated. Everything is still in frag size, nothing large and nothing really seems to be growing either. I have 2 acans, a birdsnest, devils hand, 2 ricordeas, condy anem, some zoas and palys and a few others I can't think of the name of.

I did a water change earlier this week and the day after my numbers were:

Ca - 545 ppm
Alk - 9.5 dKH
Mag - 1560 ppm

I use red sea test kits. I know the calcium is high, but it's my understanding that will just add to the buildup on the equipment? I do not dose at all, I also try to get weekly water changes in, 2 weeks is the max I would go for a water change.

I have read it can be tricky to get these all to a point where all 3 are happy and it's best to make changes slowly. However, I'm not comfortable making changes (via dosing or otherwise) until I understand what I'm doing and why.

I was using Kent reef salt and I'm going to start making a slow change to Seachem Reef Salt via small water changes.

I hope this helps clear things up.

Thanks!

 

What is your salinity at? I am thinking your salinity must be around 1.030 with those results. Do you check with a refractometer calibrated to 35ppt?

 

I actually just got a refrac and some calibration fluid. I will check it when I get home.

 

oh man, I feel bad.... I just checked my water with a refact and it's at 1.029 Well, I'm throwing away my hydrometer...

So, what's best way to get it down? do a water change with just some RO/DI water??

 

The best way is the slow way. But yes, water changes with a lower salinity or RO/DI water will work.

 

Thanks!!

 

Matt,

Check again your params again when you SG is a little bit lower.
A mixed reef should be around 1.026-1.027 IMHO

Those params you posted were good/high however.

 

I've been shooting for 1.025, and I thought I was there... haha, now I wish I would have bought a refractometer sooner....

yeah, I'll get the SG back to happy time and I'll run the tests again.