Cali Kid Corals

Salinity MG levels

seminolecpa

seminolecpa

Past President
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By no reason trying to start a Reef Crystal panic here to start off and this could be realted to many other issues. just wanted to see if other Salinity users were experiencing low Magnesium levels and or percipatation in their mixing containers. I have been having to dose an extremely high amount of magnesium and at first thought my tank was just gobbling it up very quickly. Decided to investigate some of the potential reasons for the drop.

Tested out a 40 gallon batch of Salinity I mixed up recently and noticed that the MG was testing out at around 1050-1100 on a Seachem MG kit (the chemistry set one). Might explain a lot of what has ben goin on in my tank but again not sure if it is an issue of just mine or others are having the problem. Mix 16 cups in a 40G Brute filled nearly to the top using a Mag 7 to mix. Everything else tests out fine CA 420ish, Alk 7-8 etc etc. Could it perhaps be someting in my water causing the GM to drop or the precipatation in the mixing container? I know people have said repetedly not to ever remix the salt in the bucket by rolling it etc, but is it possible that the mix has seperated or that a 40G batch is not enough to make at one time? Grasping at straws here.
 
Two things.

#1 if precipitation caused a drop in mag, you'd see a tremendous amount in your mixing vessel.

#2 do you have a mag standard to double check your kit? the last SeaChem kit I bought read pretty low compared to Salifert, which tested close to the standard.

I haven't noticed an issue withe the mag, I did just buy a couple of buckets that took forever to go into solution, super frustrating...
 
The kit I have has a MG standard with it. This one http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=SC4119&child=SC4119&utm_source=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=SC4119

I did check it out to their standard with the kit but that is it at this point.
 
I want one of you guys or both to come over and run a series of tests to confirm my tank's perimeters. I think it's never been better but you guys, you guys are the bomb about water chemistry! H)
 
Bryan I tested a new batch yesterday. I made 25gal in my brute. I had 1400 reading on my Salifert test kit. I can bring my test kits when I stop by and we can check there readings with yours.
 
I'll check Mg tomorrow if I remember, but I do get a bit of precipitation. Not too much, but after a couple buckets, my brute has a nice inner crust.
 
i did a water change today and measured 1300 @ 1.025-1.026 sg. I dont notice much precipitation w/ salinity compared to others ive used (seachem reef, IO, brightwells)
 
Hey Bryan...I used to use Reef Crystals and I had the same issue. I was getting the exact same parameters as you and had low Mg levels. Didn't notice any precipitation issues but I had to dose extra Mg to my salt water batches. I haven't been using Reef Crystals for about six months now and have since switched to the Seachem bucket I won at one of the raffles.
 
DurTBear said:
Hey Bryan...I used to use Reef Crystals and I had the same issue. I was getting the exact same parameters as you and had low Mg levels. Didn't notice any precipitation issues but I had to dose extra Mg to my salt water batches. I haven't been using Reef Crystals for about six months now and have since switched to the Seachem bucket I won at one of the raffles.
Click to expand...

This thread actually has nothing to do with Reef Crystals. Bryan used that as a reference to starting a panic over salt being low in MG, like some previous batches of Reef Crystals a few years ago. He is using Seachem's AquaVitro Salinity.

Bryan I'd like to suggest rather then posting a "potential problem" like this, to simply contact the company prior top posting. No matter how much you illustrate in your post you don't want to create a panic, it will do no good. I know I would prefer you contact me as a manufacturer first as so I can work the issue out and as a company it's far easier for me to contact my dealers to get the word out if there is an issue. It's MUCH harder to deal with a whipped up internet then it is to do your own recall campaign.
 
Curious : Did you have rather solid clumps when you mixed the bad batch?

I had some precipitation issues with wacky parameters, when mixing salt that had clumps in it.
Standard IO, so I am sure it was my fault - used part of the bag, and did not seal it properly. .
The theory is that when you drop a big clump in, and it dissolves slowly, you can
get temporary regions that are VERY high in Alk/Ca, and instantly combine and precipitate.

BTW: You can also get what seems to be completely harmless precipitation from some mixes.
For example, some of the more natural ones (H2Ocean) seems to precipitate a lot, but produce great results.
 
If I may derail this thread a tad further.

I mix up water in a 32g brute trash can but with only doing 2-3 gallon weekly water changes it lasts a couple of months. I test the water's mg, alk and calc. before water changes and adjust accordingly, usually add more alk. Is there a problem with using water that is 2 months old? Loss of trace elements, bacteria growth or any other reason I shouldn't save water that long?
 
r0ck0 said:
If I may derail this thread a tad further.

I mix up water in a 32g brute trash can but with only doing 2-3 gallon weekly water changes it lasts a couple of months. I test the water's mg, alk and calc. before water changes and adjust accordingly, usually add more alk. Is there a problem with using water that is 2 months old? Loss of trace elements, bacteria growth or any other reason I shouldn't save water that long?
Click to expand...

As long as you keep the water circulating it should be just fine. I am not sure as to why your levels will change though while in the container waiting to be used? As long as the container is sealed and circulating with no other items in the container nothing should be using up the trace elements causing them to drop.
 
Tumbleweed said:
r0ck0 said:
If I may derail this thread a tad further.

I mix up water in a 32g brute trash can but with only doing 2-3 gallon weekly water changes it lasts a couple of months. I test the water's mg, alk and calc. before water changes and adjust accordingly, usually add more alk. Is there a problem with using water that is 2 months old? Loss of trace elements, bacteria growth or any other reason I shouldn't save water that long?
Click to expand...

As long as you keep the water circulating it should be just fine. I am not sure as to why your levels will change though while in the container waiting to be used? As long as the container is sealed and circulating with no other items in the container nothing should be using up the trace elements causing them to drop.
Click to expand...

Depends on the salt. You do not want to let Reef Crystals or TMCs Bio-Activ sitting around too long.
 
GreshamH said:
Tumbleweed said:
r0ck0 said:
If I may derail this thread a tad further.

I mix up water in a 32g brute trash can but with only doing 2-3 gallon weekly water changes it lasts a couple of months. I test the water's mg, alk and calc. before water changes and adjust accordingly, usually add more alk. Is there a problem with using water that is 2 months old? Loss of trace elements, bacteria growth or any other reason I shouldn't save water that long?
Click to expand...

As long as you keep the water circulating it should be just fine. I am not sure as to why your levels will change though while in the container waiting to be used? As long as the container is sealed and circulating with no other items in the container nothing should be using up the trace elements causing them to drop.
Click to expand...

Depends on the salt. You do not want to let Reef Crystals or TMCs Bio-Activ sitting around too long.
Click to expand...

I'm using seachem reef, why would that be an issue for only those two brands?

I think the alk continues to drop because of the Co2 in the air and the water trying to maintain its pH?
 
r0ck0 said:
I'm using seachem reef, why would that be an issue for only those two brands?
Click to expand...

Additives in them break down... Seachem Reef does not have those additives
r0ck0 said:
I think the alk continues to drop because of the Co2 in the air and the water trying to maintain its pH?
Click to expand...
Not sure what you mean the water is trying to maintain it's PH? The buffer you mean? Water has nothing do do with it, the salts are the deal.

If you aerate your water there won't be much of any pull down on your alk. I store water for months at work with no noticeable effects. Did the same at the last few facilities I worked at.
 
Curious : So what is the theory behind salt water going stale?
(On a moderate time scale, like a few months)
Unless wide open, not really enough contaminants to worry about. Worst case is a few bacteria.
Without circulation, it will stratify a bit, perhaps bumping up regions of alk/calc, but not much.
Normal chemical reactions should actually be slower than in main tank, since it is likely colder, with less circulation.

I generally mix up 30 gallons, which lasts 6 weeks.
It sits outside in a trash can, no circulation, with a lid but hardly airtight.
Never seems to be a problem.
 
Looks like the thread moved while I was typing and my question is answered.
Must be some organic additives. Seems like a bad idea, since they would also break down
even more quickly in your main tank. Iodine maybe?
 
The answer is on their websites.... super easy to find as well... Umm no it's not, TM's website has not seen an update since 2008 :O

RC has extra "vitamins"
TM Bio Actif has "organic compounds" added

http://reefbuilders.com/2010/03/23/tropic-marin-bio-actif-salt-reviewed/
 
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