Hi everyone,
I just started tracking my tank's parameters more closely so I can identify what needs improving. (I dont have a ton of coral growth or color) My understanding of the interactions of elements is not perfect, and now after reading a ton of research- im overwhelmed by conflicting information. so I was hoping for some straight forward advice on what to do to keep things balanced. I know there is a wide range of what is "ideal"- my tank is a 220 reef w about 20 fish and more inverts, kept at 79 degrees, with 30 or so small frags and corals (largest is maybe 4"), mostly lps with some sps. I use 1 bag of regular IO + about 1-2 cups IORC per water change.
Ex:
Beginning values------> 2 weeks later
ph: 8.2/8.25 -----> 8.2/8.25
Nitrate: 0-3 -----> 0-3
Phos: 0-0.05 ------> 0-0.05
Mag: 1215 -----> 1100
Ca: 410-----> 410
Kh/Alk: 8.6/3.08 -----> 7.3/2.6
It seems like the only things that dip are magnesium and alk. Im trying to see if I can back off on water changes since doing them religiously every 2 weeks for 3 years. They dont seem to be necessary for exporting nitrates/phosphates and if Im only doing them to refresh trace elements and other depleted elements- perhaps I can just use additives?
I have a bottle of kents magnesium, Red Sea ABCD, and Coral Vite that I have yet to use bc I dont want to start throwing things in arbitrarily. Are my values over all okay? My ca level is fine, how do I raise alk without ca or ph increasing or decreasing? Am I safe to dose magnesium? Other thoughts?
Thanks reefers!!!
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I just started tracking my tank's parameters more closely so I can identify what needs improving. (I dont have a ton of coral growth or color) My understanding of the interactions of elements is not perfect, and now after reading a ton of research- im overwhelmed by conflicting information. so I was hoping for some straight forward advice on what to do to keep things balanced. I know there is a wide range of what is "ideal"- my tank is a 220 reef w about 20 fish and more inverts, kept at 79 degrees, with 30 or so small frags and corals (largest is maybe 4"), mostly lps with some sps. I use 1 bag of regular IO + about 1-2 cups IORC per water change.
Ex:
Beginning values------> 2 weeks later
ph: 8.2/8.25 -----> 8.2/8.25
Nitrate: 0-3 -----> 0-3
Phos: 0-0.05 ------> 0-0.05
Mag: 1215 -----> 1100
Ca: 410-----> 410
Kh/Alk: 8.6/3.08 -----> 7.3/2.6
It seems like the only things that dip are magnesium and alk. Im trying to see if I can back off on water changes since doing them religiously every 2 weeks for 3 years. They dont seem to be necessary for exporting nitrates/phosphates and if Im only doing them to refresh trace elements and other depleted elements- perhaps I can just use additives?
I have a bottle of kents magnesium, Red Sea ABCD, and Coral Vite that I have yet to use bc I dont want to start throwing things in arbitrarily. Are my values over all okay? My ca level is fine, how do I raise alk without ca or ph increasing or decreasing? Am I safe to dose magnesium? Other thoughts?
Thanks reefers!!!
View attachment 1089543 View attachment 1089544 View attachment 1089543 View attachment 1089544 View attachment 1089543 View attachment 1089544 View attachment 1089543 View attachment 1089544 View attachment 1089543 View attachment 1089544