Howdy guys.
So I finally got a magnesium test in for my tank so I could check the magnesium levels, particularly since my hammers haven't really been happy in a while. They're extending, but it's not full extension, and I've seen in a half dozen sources that checking magnesium is something to keep in mind for them if they're not fully happy.
Here's my conundrum. My magnesium test came in a 1020 on a salifert testing kit, which right away, is lower than all sources say is good for a reef tank. My question is - my alk and calcium are both steady around 8 for alk and 400 for calcium. Should I attempt to push magnesium higher, or will it throw the others out of balance? This is a little more advanced in reef chemistry than I've gotten so far and mostly what you hear is, don't chase perfect numbers, chase stability.
The tank is 6 months old, not brand new but still in the middle of becoming seasoned. I had a scare with my clownfish over something in the tank causing them serious distress, but they're doing much better now and all of the other corals seem to be opening and happy. The only other LPS I have are blastomussa and goniopora, both fluffy and growing.
Current params:
Evo 13.5 gallon tank
Salinty: 1.025
Temp: 79-80
Alk: 8
Cal: 400
Mg: 1020
PH: 8
Nitrate: 20 ppm
Phos: .01
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
So I finally got a magnesium test in for my tank so I could check the magnesium levels, particularly since my hammers haven't really been happy in a while. They're extending, but it's not full extension, and I've seen in a half dozen sources that checking magnesium is something to keep in mind for them if they're not fully happy.
Here's my conundrum. My magnesium test came in a 1020 on a salifert testing kit, which right away, is lower than all sources say is good for a reef tank. My question is - my alk and calcium are both steady around 8 for alk and 400 for calcium. Should I attempt to push magnesium higher, or will it throw the others out of balance? This is a little more advanced in reef chemistry than I've gotten so far and mostly what you hear is, don't chase perfect numbers, chase stability.
The tank is 6 months old, not brand new but still in the middle of becoming seasoned. I had a scare with my clownfish over something in the tank causing them serious distress, but they're doing much better now and all of the other corals seem to be opening and happy. The only other LPS I have are blastomussa and goniopora, both fluffy and growing.
Current params:
Evo 13.5 gallon tank
Salinty: 1.025
Temp: 79-80
Alk: 8
Cal: 400
Mg: 1020
PH: 8
Nitrate: 20 ppm
Phos: .01
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0