Negative high magnesium affects on SPS

[Zooxanthella]

I have read a few threads regarding high magnesium and most hobbyists say they have no problems with that parameter running upward of 1600. I must of had a bad salifert test kit because it has been reading 1380 for me for a few months. I took my water to a LFS and they did a spin test and it's 1720. I turned off my doser and did a 15% water change but I have noticed pale colors on several of my sps frags. Some look bleached white but are not dead.

I was curious if anyone has photo's of negative results they have seen from high magnesium?

I know this could be several other parameters so I will include my other readings. The tank is only 5 months old and was started with dry rock as well as the frits/ammonia method. I am battling some algae blooms right now as well.

Red Sea Pro Salt
SG 1.025
KH 11.5
Ca 450
Mg 1720
Phosphate 0.1 (could be part of it?)
Nitrate 0 (could be part of it?)
pH 8.2
PAR 200-250

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

I have read a few threads regarding high magnesium and most hobbyists say they have no problems with that parameter running upward of 1600. I must of had a bad salifert test kit because it has been reading 1380 for me for a few months. I took my water to a LFS and they did a spin test and it's 1720. I turned off my doser and did a 15% water change but I have noticed pale colors on several of my sps frags. Some look bleached white but are not dead.

I was curious if anyone has photo's of negative results they have seen from high magnesium?

I know this could be several other parameters so I will include my other readings. The tank is only 5 months old and was started with dry rock as well as the frits/ammonia method. I am battling some algae blooms right now as well.

Red Sea Pro Salt
SG 1.025
KH 11.5
Ca 450
Mg 1720
Phosphate 0.1 (could be part of it?)
Nitrate 0 (could be part of it?)
pH 8.2
PAR 200-250

Magnesium has nothing to do with your issue and even at 1720 it would be fine. Your issue is 0 nitrate. You're starving them.

 

[Pod_01]

pale colors on several of my sps frags

Nitrate 0 (could be part of it?)

Those two definitely go together. I would bring the NO3 to at least 1ppm. I would use aminos, feed bit more.
If that doesn’t work try something else to bring it up.

Can you show pictures of your algae bloom?

 

[Zooxanthella]

I understand that the nitrates can effect pale colors but I understand so can high mg. The issue with increasing feeding right now is my tank is fallow from an ich outbreak. I'm worried about dosing amino's due to the algae. Here are some pics.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I must be the exceptions to the rule as Ive been running zero nitrates for quite awhile and all but one sps is doing great

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

I must be the exceptions to the rule as Ive been running zero nitrates for quite awhile and all but one sps is doing great

You have a larger tank with many fish. You're getting away with it because of the waste your fish produce. It's not what you want, ideally you need some Nitrates (Nitrogen actually). If it's working and your SPS have good colors and growing, then keep doing what you're doing.

 

[OnPointCorals]

Most likely the Salifert test is correct and the spin test is not.

 

[Zooxanthella]

Most likely the Salifert test is correct and the spin test is not.

I did just order a new salifert to double check and it is 1470 after the water change and turning off my doser.

 

[Zooxanthella]

You have a larger tank with many fish. You're getting away with it because of the waste your fish produce. It's not what you want, ideally you need some Nitrates (Nitrogen actually). If it's working and your SPS have good colors and growing, then keep doing what you're doing.

I used to run a ULNS (zeovit method) prior to this tank but as I understand it, you are introducing so many other food sources for the corals, which is why that can be successful.

I have ordered some Brightwell NeoNitro but I am worried about increasing this algae issue.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

I used to run a ULNS (zeovit method) prior to this tank but as I understand it, you are introducing so many other food sources for the corals, which is why that can be successful.

I have ordered some Brightwell NeoNitro but I am worried about increasing this algae issue.

Your algae issue is from your imbalance of Nitrate and Phosphate. Your phosphates are fine and I wouldn't be concerned if they jumped to 0.20, what you don't have is nitrates. Anytime you have excess phosphates and 0 Nitrate that allows the "bad algae" to overwhelm the tank. If you had a balanced mixture of Nitrate and Phosphate, then you would eliminate the algae.

If you have a lot, it will take a couple of months for you to see it clearing out. You'll start to see hair algae die off daily and float around the tank. 0 Nitrate allows the algae to thrive.

Don't go overboard on the NeoNitro. I don't been know your tank size, but let's say it 55 to 120 gallon. I would dose 20ml NeoNitro and give it a day or so and them check Nitrate again. Also check your phosphates and keep them around 0.16 to 0.06. Again, don't try to control Phosphate to a minute level. I like Nitrate from 15 to 20. Once you even those out, you'll see improvement. You can settle on 7 Nitrate if it freaks you out, but over 10 is preferred.

 

[Pod_01]

My NO3/ PO4:

Also my PO4 range is 0.1-0.3….

Some corals:

Zero NO3 and no fish, usually doesn’t end well from my experience. I would still dose some amino, it is what corals prefer vs. NO3.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

My NO3/ PO4:

Also my PO4 range is 0.1-0.3….

Some corals:

Zero NO3 and no fish, usually doesn’t end well from my experience. I would still dose some amino, it is what corals prefer vs. NO3.

I agree with everything except the Aminos. I've seen numerous corals take a turn for the worse dosing Aminos. I'll quote another forum member for this breakdown. In short, you dose Nitrate to solves the issue, not potentially introduce more problems with a carbon source.

"
When you dose nitrates like potassium nitrate, you are very specifically adding "nitrate" and potassium. When you add amino acid (and there are a variety)--you are adding both carbons and nitrate. So with an amino acid you may be feeding bacteria with the "carbon" and they may have an impact on your total nitrates.

Bottom line, adding nitrates adds directly to total nitrates and it is a more direct way to specifically increase nitrates. Adding amino acids effects more than just nitrates because of the additional carbon introduced. I guess simply put, amino acids is more than adding just nitrates and may stimulate other biological activities that may be harder to understand or control."

 

[Zooxanthella]

Your algae issue is from your imbalance of Nitrate and Phosphate. Your phosphates are fine and I wouldn't be concerned if they jumped to 0.20, what you don't have is nitrates. Anytime you have excess phosphates and 0 Nitrate that allows the "bad algae" to overwhelm the tank. If you had a balanced mixture of Nitrate and Phosphate, then you would eliminate the algae.

If you have a lot, it will take a couple of months for you to see it clearing out. You'll start to see hair algae die off daily and float around the tank. 0 Nitrate allows the algae to thrive.

Don't go overboard on the NeoNitro. I don't been know your tank size, but let's say it 55 to 120 gallon. I would dose 20ml NeoNitro and give it a day or so and them check Nitrate again. Also check your phosphates and keep them around 0.16 to 0.06. Again, don't try to control Phosphate to a minute level. I like Nitrate from 15 to 20. Once you even those out, you'll see improvement. You can settle on 7 Nitrate if it freaks you out, but over 10 is preferred.

I just realized I said 0.1 phosphate but it's actually 0.01 ppm.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

I just realized I said 0.1 phosphate but it's actually 0.01 ppm.

I that case, yeah, way too low on both. Along with the NeoNitro you need NeoPhos. Careful dosing the Phosphate. You'll dose about half of what you will Nitrate.

 

[Pod_01]

I agree with everything except the Aminos. I've seen numerous corals take a turn for the worse dosing Aminos. I'll quote another forum member for this breakdown. In short, you dose Nitrate to solves the issue, not potentially introduce more problems with a carbon source.

"
When you dose nitrates like potassium nitrate, you are very specifically adding "nitrate" and potassium. When you add amino acid (and there are a variety)--you are adding both carbons and nitrate. So with an amino acid you may be feeding bacteria with the "carbon" and they may have an impact on your total nitrates.

Bottom line, adding nitrates adds directly to total nitrates and it is a more direct way to specifically increase nitrates. Adding amino acids effects more than just nitrates because of the additional carbon introduced. I guess simply put, amino acids is more than adding just nitrates and may stimulate other biological activities that may be harder to understand or control."

Not going to disagree.
Corals prefer fish ammonia not option for OP. Aminos are another preferred source of N for corals.
Yes aminos do grow other things, hence my suggestion to dose some aminos, not a full dose.

From what I recall breaking down NO3 is actually energy expensive process for corals. It never worked for me.

I generally keep NO3 in the 1-5ppm range just to make sure there is enough N in the system from fish and feeding. I would run 1ppm but I don’t trust testers and when below 1ppm I use aminos. I always have PO4 above 0.04 so there is no issue.

My preference for N source is fish and feeding the fish.

When I dosed NO3 I always ended up with beautiful GHA… so these days I don’t do it.

It seems OP needs PO4 and with 0.01 level I wouldn’t recommend amino. Corals are definitely starving.

 

[Spare time]

I understand that the nitrates can effect pale colors but I understand so can high mg. The issue with increasing feeding right now is my tank is fallow from an ich outbreak. I'm worried about dosing amino's due to the algae. Here are some pics.

I believe that those are chrysophytes and I also believe 0 nitrates may have caused them.

 

[Zooxanthella]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions. I have been going back and forth on purchasing neophos and neonitro for weeks.