Strontium to test or not... Oh and Mag

[mwebber28]

My knowledge of this element is limited to a intro college chemistry class and that was years ago. So does anyone test and dose for this element or are regular water changes good enough to maintain proper levels.

If you do test and dose how often do you do it and which product do you use. Also if you dose for sr do watch another element or parameter for significant changes.

So onto the Magnesium. I have been able to maintain adequate levels 1200-1300ppm in a LPS tank with my regular water changes(no additives). However I recently added a few SPS and started to watch this element more closely.

Today my test showed 1050ppm. I know this is not, or at least I dont think it to be adequate. So can my SPS live in this range and be healthy or do I need to start dosing. If I need to dose can you recomend a product.

I have a 75gal tank with a 40 gal sump 3/4 full so around 100 gal of water. My water changes are every 3 weeks with reef crystals and I do 15 gallons.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Frankie]

Hello mwebber, welcome to ReefFrontiers

You are correct that it is important to test regularly Calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, ph and sometimes strontium in some cases. usually not SR. Most of your SR should be coming from the salt you use. These companies that want to sell you stuff for SR have no clue as to what their selling it to you for. Stay away from the lfs additives.
I suggest reading this article before confusing yourself on the SR topic.

Aquarium Chemistry: Strontium and the Reef Aquarium — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Focus on your other key elements like Ca++, Mg. PH and DKh.

Frank

 

[mwebber28]

Thanks frank. I have read a few articles on SR and most of it has been confusing, some say do some say dont. I guess what I'm looking for is conformation that it is not something I don't need to pay particular attention to, but rather just let happen.

As for the Mag, what level do you maintain your tank at and have you noticed any major difference when you step outside that range.

Thanks again

matt

 

[NC2WA]

mg level should be around 1300-1350, also Mg can influence pH, so watch it..

some reading for you:

Aquarium Chemistry: Magnesium In Reef Aquaria — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Aquarium Chemistry: Strontium and the Reef Aquarium — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[Aquanaut]

It would be better to increase water changes, that way all chemistry will maintain itself until the point of installing a Lime Reactor when the TwoPart fails to keep the levels up. No worries untill you have major SPS colonies stripping out the elements, but you'll find the LPS not liking the levels that some SPS thrive in.

 

[mwebber28]

mg level should be around 1300-1350, also Mg can influence pH, so watch it..

some reading for you:

Aquarium Chemistry: Magnesium In Reef Aquaria — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Aquarium Chemistry: Strontium and the Reef Aquarium — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Thanks for the links.

Do you dose your mag and if so what product do you use.

 

[mwebber28]

It would be better to increase water changes, that way all chemistry will maintain itself until the point of installing a Lime Reactor when the TwoPart fails to keep the levels up. No worries untill you have major SPS colonies stripping out the elements, but you'll find the LPS not liking the levels that some SPS thrive in.

Intresting thought. I'm moving from LPS to SPS and plan to keep my acans and bubble coral. Do zoos and star polyps factor into the equation?

 

[NC2WA]

Do you dose your mag and if so what product do you use

I do. I use Kent Tech M

 

[mwebber28]

I do. I use Kent Tech M

Thanks.

I'm going out on a limb here but I'm going to guess you dose as needed? but is that once a week or every other day? and how often do you check the mag level.

I got to tell you guy this is really helpfull, thanks to all contributers.

 

[NC2WA]

dose as needed, and check weekly..keep in mind if Ca and Mg needed dosing, do not dose at the same time...dose Mg first, wait a day, then dose Ca.

 

[mwebber28]

dose as needed, and check weekly..keep in mind if Ca and Mg needed dosing, do not dose at the same time...dose Mg first, wait a day, then dose Ca.

Funny, I was going to ask which element first and how long to wait untill adding the next..... are you using Jedi mind tricks here or what?!?!?!

 

[NC2WA]

yes, Luke...Jedi minds....that and 15+yrs of experience...been there, done that.

 

[mwebber28]

yes, Luke...Jedi minds....that and 15+yrs of experience...been there, done that.

lol..

this here pretty much sums it up for me...

We're not Worthy!!!! - YouTube

Thanks for you help, mucho appreciated.

 

[NC2WA]

no worries...glad I could help....btw....make sure you have a decent test kit for Mg and Ca...Elos and Salifert seem to be the better ones most ppl on this forum are using.

 

[mwebber28]

Thanks, both are Elos.

 

[NC2WA]

you are good to go then....happy testing

 

[Frankie]

For mg i use dolomite mixed in 25% of the calcium reactors volume. It keeps the mg balanced perfectly. So, dolomite and crushed coals in a calcium reactor usually keeps my levels balanced perfectly.
If your not running a Calcium Rx then i would use the tech m. I see some great results from those that use that two part doing system.

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