Mg problem

[ShLiMi333]

I've got a serious problem with my aquarium. Something is consuming Mg at a rapid rate. Mg level drop by 20ppt daily and according to rule i can only dose 10ppt daily. What can it be? Added some pics of what my tank looks like. Nothing major. All small zoas and polyps. The gsp grows at an alarming rate though

 

[ShLiMi333]

Oh and the tank is 4 months old if that'll help.

 

[RiaanP]

you got not much in there that would be taking up that much Mg.

Over what time span did you measure it? Over a week? or 2 weeks? Or 3 days?

 

[ShLiMi333]

i test weekly. and this pased 3 weeks i noticed the big drop in Mg. so the passed 2 weeks i tested every 2nd day and this week i test daily and recorded that i get roughly 12 - 20 ppt drops daily. bummer.... i haven't done any waterchanges in 2 months roughly. and all my levels are in check as they are supposed to be. only the damned Mg. im trying to test the "no water change" theory

 

[mariusmeyer]

Your rocks have quite a purple tinge to it but it could alos be the photos. if they are becoming more purple then it could be the coraline algae consuming the Mg. It is a major consumer. What is your alk and ca consumption like?

 

[RiaanP]

How much water is 10% for you? 10% water change weekly on your tank is a lot less trouble that all the parameter testing you are doing weekly. And a lot less head scratching. Good quality salt and on your tank you would be able to maintain the essential mineral levels.

10% water change for me is 180L. That makes a difference in costs. Although the time spend to do that much water change is less than 30 minutes.

 

[ShLiMi333]

7 Liters i trying all kinds of stuff you know lol. but you have a valid point will do my water change tomorrow for a month and keep an eye on Mg. im trying and testing and and and for when the upgrade comes to 300L

 

[ShLiMi333]

Your rocks have quite a purple tinge to it but it could alos be the photos. if they are becoming more purple then it could be the coraline algae consuming the Mg. It is a major consumer. What is your alk and ca consumption like?

alk drop weekly at around 3dkh and Ca drops at around 10ppt

coraline grows at a decent pace i would say

 

[ShLiMi333]

Also when i do eventually upgrade (more to the end of this year early next year) im going to keep this tank exactly like it is and just remove the powerhead to get lower flow rate and then my dear man, im gonna get myself some sea horses and put them in there. Have myself a sea horse only tank. i just cant wait

 

[hotdog83]

What is your alk, ca and mg levels just before you dose?

 

[ShLiMi333]

Ill do a test and post

 

[ShLiMi333]

so just to confirm, i did my water change Monday. I quickly did tests this morning as well.

Parameters before (05/06/2016)
temp 24.7
Sal 1.027
Mg 1280
Ca 420
Alk 3.6Meq/l
Ph 7.8
Phos 0.04
Nitra 0.25

I had to dose Mg daily and Ca every second day
So i did my water change Monday morning and decided to mix for softies resulting in a lower SG range as Ive also noticed som zoa die offs with all the fluctuation going on and heavy dosing.

After Water change (05/06/2016)
temp 25
Sal 34ppt
Mg 1400ppt
Ca 470ppt
Alk 3.9Meq/l
Ph 8
Phos 0.02
Nitra 0

Tests this morning (08/03/2016)
temp 24.9
Sal 34ppt
Mg 1400ppt
Ca 470ppt
Alk 3.9Meq/l
Ph 8
Phos 0.02
Nitra 0

Myth Busted, you cant operate a successful reef without any water changes.
Thanx for the solid advice guys. Hows the saying? "penny wise pound foolish"

 

[JohanB]

Just btw you can dose Mg more than 10ppt a day when it actually drops 20ppt. In theory you should dose 20ppt then. The point is to not have an immediate swing of too much, but if it drops then you are keeping it more stable by dosing more. Probably not all at the same time though to be safe.

But for your size tank I would say it is better to do just water changes. And a lot cheaper.