[andy007]

Hi

My 40g has been setup for 4 weeks now. I have not really had any problems so far
The water stats on Thursday were -
Temp = 26
SG = 1.025
Ph = 8.3
Amm = 0
Phosphate = 0
NitrIte = 0
NitrAte = less than 5
Calcium = 430
Hardness = 8
Mag = 1320

Today, Saturday, everything is the same except the Mag which has dropped to 1260'ish?

What would make the mg drop like that? I have done nothing to the tank between those readings. Tank contains approx 30kg LR, a couple of fish, a few Zoas/polyps and cuc.

Any help appreciated

[lindsay]

With magnesium levels on our systems and many customers tanks it seems that a system may need to be kept at 1350 ish by dosing for a good few weeks then the system will start to hold its levels of 1300 plus with very little dosing .
I am not sure why other than the system becomes saturated at just over 1300 then holds this level for long periods with just a small drop below 1300 now and then .

[andy007]

Thanks Lindsay

Would it just be a case of using something like Mag Advantage to slowly increase it back up?

[lindsay]

Tropic Marin Bio Magnesium is what i have always used and i find it very good ,a lot of additives are often made up with a lot of minerals but if its just magnesium you need get one with just magnesium in it .

[andy007]

Ok thankyou Lindsey

[chriss]

What lindsay didn't mention was why it has dropped. Most likely in a new system is that the sand and rock has 'soaked' it up. This will continue until the reach a 'saturation' level at which point your levels will level out, until you start adding lps/sps corals.

Chris

[andy007]

Thanks Chriss. Just been reading about the LR soakink it up. I'll just keep buffering

[SLAPPY]

Do you have Mangroves in your sump? As these will eat the magnesium as well.

[andy007]

No Mangroves in my sump.