Ph, KH, Mag????

[New Reefer]

Hi All,

Just started marine and require some advice from you all. Currently, having a difficult time maintaining the water perimeters such PH, KH & Mag.

PH - increasing from 8.3 to 8.6. Is it harmful?

KH - currently at 8.3. How to increase to 10?

Mag - currently at 1140ppm. Is it sufficient?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[angelfish]

hi there

r your tank still within cycling period ?

if so, they'll fluctuate from time to time. and this is one of the reason that adding livestocks are not recommended during cycling period.

happy reefkeeping

[New Reefer]

my tank is over the cycling period already.....

Anyone know how to dose seachem mag? realise the salifert test kit for mag reading shows ppm but the dosage shows mg.... dunno how to convert....

And i also see redslime algae growing.... how to get rid of those?

reefing is so difficult

[KennethK]

Red slime usually happens to new tanks. It will go away. But maybe that area have no flow or little. Kh 8.3 is enuff. The mag a little low but still can sustain.

[New Reefer]

Anyone knows how should I dose Mg? Try add alittle and test again?

[KennethK]

Read the manual on the bottle

[sherman]

Your MG is a bit low.

Try to dose MG slowly till around 1380

Regards

[mansiz]

But I would suggest increasing KH to a bit higher level (probably 9 or 10) for more stable Ph.

[RX_GAN]

Are u using a salt mix or seawater ? becos usually good salt mix comes with a good content of minerals for u.

Low magnesium level is quite common for a start becos magnesium will be lost thru precipitation.

Seachem mag dosage is one tsp per 80litres. depends on ur tank size.

so how big is ur tank ?

My advice for a start-up tank is to use Reef Builder to increase the hardness of ur water first.

With the KH at correct parameters, then ur mag, cal, str and pH will be stable. And that's why it's called reef builder. Or u can try other pH buffer products which contain carbonate.

The reason why your pH is all over the place is due to your KH.

So solve the first problem then look into Mg.

pH and kH are the most important things for any tank even as for freshwater.

when these are maintain, u can use Seachem's Advantage calcium once a week to increase ur calcium level and maintain both of your str and mg level.

This way your Mg will also increase by a bit.

Mg and Sr level is not the main focus for cycling a tank.

The main focus should be your ammonia and nitrite.

Be patience.

made sure u have both ammonia and nitrite level up in ur tank.

then monitor in fortnight with a suitable dosage of bacteria.

At the same moment u can raise your Mg and Sr level slowly.

It should be at the right level once u witness a zero level for both ammonia and nitrite.

You should get zero reading as there is no livestock.If the ammonia and nitrite release from a piece of prawn or any detritus can't even be eliminated by a whole system of bacteria, then your biological system is a failure.

Once everything is settled. MORE PROBLEMS COME.hahaha...phosphate, silicate, nitrate, temperature, lighting, current...ops...think i must have scared you. hehe.

GOOD LUCK.