HELP! Need to find a balance

[nsakis]

Alright...
So a few weeks ago I had made a similar post trying to get help with my Ca/kH/Mg issues. I since have purchased Warner Marine 2 part and been dosing 12mL of each everyday. My test kits just came today and here are the results:

Ca - 370
kH - 5.5
Mg - 1090

Whats going on?! Warner Marine suggests 5mL/25 gallons 3 times per week. My tank has a total volume of 75 gallons. That equals 15mLs x3 = 45 mLs per week. Im currently dosing 84 mLs per week and still cant get the levels up. This would make sense to me if my tank was packed with sps but i only have zoas, a duncan head, and gsp. My only two guesses on whats going on is either my ridiculously purple rock is soaking it all up and/or the low Mg isnt allowing the Ca and kH to rise. Ill give as many details about the tank below as I can to help you guys help me. Ive about had it and am unfortunately close to calling it quits as I am losing pieces that i have NEVER had die on me (anthelia, zoas).

Ammonia - 0.25 - 0.50 (this is the first time Ive seen a slight bump since I started the tank)
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
pH - 7.8 - 8.0
Temp - 78 - 80

Lighting - 4x54w T5
SCAquarium Skimmer - runs all day every day
Ball of chaeto in fuge
Lots of flow
Plenty of aiptasia unfortunately

Please ask any other relevant details. I really dont wanna give up on this but its not fun when you cant buy anything cuz youre scared of losing it. Thanks in advance everyone...

 

[Gsxr1000rider]

With Duncan's, zoas and gsp there's no reason you need to dose. Water changes will be plenty in regards to ur parameters staying in check.

As far as your param not coming up, that's something you need to figure out by testing your water daily. Do WCs to get ur parameters in check then start testing daily to find how much your param are changing and figure out your dosing specs from there.

With just those corals, I highly doubt you need to dose and is just a waste of $$ at the moment.

 

[toomuch420]

I was told long ago that if mag. Is off
You can dose Alk & cal all day without results.
Idk I this I correct but I have always followed this rule


*rAzOr*

 

[Gsxr1000rider]

I would stop dosing and start doing 20% water changes every 2 days till you get you param in check.
Check
Double check your test, don't see why your param should be low

Also when ur mag is low it will keep your calc from raising.

 

[Jhuneke]

I am in the same boat !! Have learned about how mag levels really do influence your ability to maintain cal and alk. Raising your mag to closer to 1400 will help.. But beyond that I am still learning myself. It's a constant science experiment over here! Lol will be following along intently..

 

[pgr11]

First thing is the ammonia that's a killer right there. How are your fish be cause those levels are not good. Lock that up with some prime or amequel and do a wc. Next your mag is way too low. Adjust your mag up and the work on the alk. When the mag is off that much your not going to be able to get the others up. What changed in your tank do you think that gave you the ammonia spike

 

[nsakis]

With Duncan's, zoas and gsp there's no reason you need to dose. Water changes will be plenty in regards to ur parameters staying in check.

I understand that these corals dont need the dosing but I have already lost some LPS and SPS because of it so I want to correct it so I can have those again.

First thing is the ammonia that's a killer right there. How are your fish be cause those levels are not good. Lock that up with some prime or amequel and do a wc. Next your mag is way too low. Adjust your mag up and the work on the alk. When the mag is off that much your not going to be able to get the others up. What changed in your tank do you think that gave you the ammonia spike

My skimmer was off for like 2 days but I doubt thats what caused it although I cant think of anything else. Nothing else has changed. Any suggestions for a good product to does Mag?

 

[pgr11]

I just buy the brs dry mag and mix it myself but I do t know about the other stuff. I'm sure any will do

 

[Surgical]

Do you have any dead critters in your tank? Did you stir up a lot of sand lately?

 

[Six2seven]

The recommendations on most bottles are to keep the levels maintained. You need to bring your cal,alk, mag up and then maintain it. Water changes will bring your parameters up but since yours are so low it may take a few water changes. Find the bulk reef supply calculators and calculate how much of (whatever you are using) is needed to bring up your parameters to what you want them at. I've dramatically increased my magnesium in one dose but go slow with the alkalinity.

 

[nsakis]

Do you have any dead critters in your tank? Did you stir up a lot of sand lately?

Nope and nope.

The recommendations on most bottles are to keep the levels maintained. You need to bring your cal,alk, mag up and then maintain it. Water changes will bring your parameters up but since yours are so low it may take a few water changes. Find the bulk reef supply calculators and calculate how much of (whatever you are using) is needed to bring up your parameters to what you want them at. I've dramatically increased my magnesium in one dose but go slow with the alkalinity.

I guess Ill get to doing water changes and update after that.