Cal, Alk and Mag question

[Marinne13]

Just tested my newly setup tank, only about 3 days old with dry rock...no livestock at all but this will be an LPS dominate tank

here are my numbers: Calcium 490ppm, ALK 5.9 and Mag 960ppm

my Alk and Mag seem really low so I am assuming the reef crystals I am using have low mag numbers and obviously high Cal #'s which are lowering my KH

should I just let it go or raise my Mag and KH?? I am going to use the BRS dosers and 2 part when I get the money but can order the solution

What are your suggestions???

my PH is 7.8, Salinity 1.026, temp 79 and am going through the rise in nitrites of my cycle right now

I am using brand new Red Sea pro test kits

 

[Marinne13]

maybe I should switch salt mixes?? crappy thing is, it is a full 5G bucket or RC but not impressed with the low Mag numbers

 

[salt_for_brains]

I use reef crystals as well. The alk and mag levels are much higher than that something like 13 and 1440. Here is a link that shows different salt mixes and some levels.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/salt-mix-guide

 

[Marinne13]

I followed the testing instructions to a T and thats what its reading...I use RO water as well

 

[salt_for_brains]

I haven't tested my mix in a long time but I pretty much got those higher numbers when I did. You may have gotten a weaker batch. I am dosing pickling lime to be able to maintain those levels between water changes.

 

[Marinne13]

Prob a crap batch...I am thinking of switching to red sea when this is gone but I will be dosing two part or kalk when its cycled and has stock

 

[Marinne13]

Ok so I was reading the test kits wrong...my MG levels are actually 1200 and KH 8.1 but the calcium is only 390 at 1.026 with RC

what is up with that??

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

This may sound basic, have you shaken the mix of salt before mixing it with the water? Sometimes their product does settle out and a good shake does the trick.

 

[Marinne13]

I can try...like shake the whole bucket?

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

Correct. It was on mr. Saltwater tanks Friday quick tips 3 weeks ago

 

[Marinne13]

gotcha, I will give it a go...I did order BRS 2 part and will start manually dosing in a week or so once the tank fully cycles and I get the nitrates down

 

[mariobrothersleeve]

Then you can stock the tank faster. :-)