Well thats what I mean, if I went higher with Mg, my salinity would go up (obviously) and then I found my Ca would go down, likely parcipitating out (which changed the salinity again), so it made sence not to keep it so high. Also, my major being chemistry I'm well aware of solubility with realation to concentration of dissolved ions (salts), and at the higher levels of Mg my theory would be that the already relatively low solubility of the calcium salts (from a Ca reactor) resulted in them being unable to remain in solution at the higher concentrations of Mg. If I had been using "two part" it probably wouldn't have been as big an issue (as they are more soluble salts in a basic environment), though even then I would have had to lower the concentration of a different salt (NaCl in this case) inorder to maintain the ideal salinity overall. SUFFICE TO SAY... wasn't going to dick around with that just to get a bit higher Mg concentration. lol.
My 210 FOWLR Turned Reef
- Thread starter nonstophoops
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Well thats what I mean, if I went higher with Mg, my salinity would go up (obviously) and then I found my Ca would go down, likely parcipitating out (which changed the salinity again), so it made sence not to keep it so high. Also, my major being chemistry I'm well aware of solubility with realation to concentration of dissolved ions (salts), and at the higher levels of Mg my theory would be that the already relatively low solubility of the calcium salts (from a Ca reactor) resulted in them being unable to remain in solution at the higher concentrations of Mg. If I had been using "two part" it probably wouldn't have been as big an issue (as they are more soluble salts in a basic environment), though even then I would have had to lower the concentration of a different salt (NaCl in this case) inorder to maintain the ideal salinity overall. SUFFICE TO SAY... wasn't going to dick around with that just to get a bit higher Mg concentration. lol.
Well thats what I mean, if I went higher with Mg, my salinity would go up (obviously) and then I found my Ca would go down, likely parcipitating out (which changed the salinity again), so it made sence not to keep it so high. Also, my major being chemistry I'm well aware of solubility with realation to concentration of dissolved ions (salts), and at the higher levels of Mg my theory would be that the already relatively low solubility of the calcium salts (from a Ca reactor) resulted in them being unable to remain in solution at the higher concentrations of Mg. If I had been using "two part" it probably wouldn't have been as big an issue (as they are more soluble salts in a basic environment), though even then I would have had to lower the concentration of a different salt (NaCl in this case) inorder to maintain the ideal salinity overall. SUFFICE TO SAY... wasn't going to dick around with that just to get a bit higher Mg concentration. lol.
Interesting. What were you running your calcium and alk at?
I guess I just don't think that getting the salinity in line would be that hard. Next time you did a water change, just bring in new water with a lower salinity but it one more thing to do.
I am obviously not looking at this on the same level you are, my thoughts being on a more basic, surface level.
How are 2 part and a calcium reactor different once you have both of them in solution?(assuming they are both in the same concentration or close to saturation)
Also, why would high magnesium cause calcium to fall out of solution? Wouldn't it only be in the same ratio as the ratio of calcium to total salt? But even at that, you can raise salinity significantly higher than what we run on our tanks without precipatation, so adding more salt shouldn't automatically make salt fall out.
I hadn't heard the high levels of magnesium causing lower levels of calcium. I have heard that low levels of magnesium can cause that to be true. Low levels can/will cause precipitation and make it difficult to maintain calcium and alk.
Your right, salinity can be up to 359 ppt when using just sodium chloride, but in the case of other salts its veryable... there is alot at play and they don't always make sence, the chemisty of solutions with respect to multiple solutes with different solubilities can be somewhat complex.
You know I'm honnestly not sure any more what I was running everything at lol, it was a number of years ago, prior to my chemistry education, and all I noticed was that it wouldn't stay stable. Though the difference between the two part and the reactor, is the ions that are involved namely Chloride and Bicarbonate the solubility of Calcium Chloride is much higher (75g/100mL), then Calcium Bicarbonate (15g/100mL), in water, even more so in a higher pH environment. So in theory, its possible that as the effluent was comming out of the reactor and mixing with the tank it was parcipitating out. But my next paragraph is going to refute this saying it was likely user error. lol
So I'm now thinking it may have nothing to do with chemistry what so ever and I may have had something else messing up... as I was much younger and much less knowledgable about salt aquaria at the time. So grand scheme of things now that I'm looking back on it I probably just messed something else up... As there is no reason I shouldn't have been able to do it now that I really think about it, I can think of all kinds of theoretical reasons why... like I have to do when I find an error in a lab that shouldn't be possible, but when I think about what "should" happen it doesnt make sence that the Ca would parcipitate out. So maybe my reactor wasn't functioning Idealy for a wile... or something similar. Suffice to say, I was having problems and I blamed the Mg, when I lowered the levels again it seemed to solve it... so not 100% what the problem is or why but something happened when I tryed to increase it.
You know I'm honnestly not sure any more what I was running everything at lol, it was a number of years ago, prior to my chemistry education, and all I noticed was that it wouldn't stay stable. Though the difference between the two part and the reactor, is the ions that are involved namely Chloride and Bicarbonate the solubility of Calcium Chloride is much higher (75g/100mL), then Calcium Bicarbonate (15g/100mL), in water, even more so in a higher pH environment. So in theory, its possible that as the effluent was comming out of the reactor and mixing with the tank it was parcipitating out. But my next paragraph is going to refute this saying it was likely user error. lol
So I'm now thinking it may have nothing to do with chemistry what so ever and I may have had something else messing up... as I was much younger and much less knowledgable about salt aquaria at the time. So grand scheme of things now that I'm looking back on it I probably just messed something else up... As there is no reason I shouldn't have been able to do it now that I really think about it, I can think of all kinds of theoretical reasons why... like I have to do when I find an error in a lab that shouldn't be possible, but when I think about what "should" happen it doesnt make sence that the Ca would parcipitate out. So maybe my reactor wasn't functioning Idealy for a wile... or something similar. Suffice to say, I was having problems and I blamed the Mg, when I lowered the levels again it seemed to solve it... so not 100% what the problem is or why but something happened when I tryed to increase it.
Your right, salinity can be up to 359 ppt when using just sodium chloride, but in the case of other salts its veryable... there is alot at play and they don't always make sence, the chemisty of solutions with respect to multiple solutes with different solubilities can be somewhat complex.
You know I'm honnestly not sure any more what I was running everything at lol, it was a number of years ago, prior to my chemistry education, and all I noticed was that it wouldn't stay stable. Though the difference between the two part and the reactor, is the ions that are involved namely Chloride and Bicarbonate the solubility of Calcium Chloride is much higher (75g/100mL), then Calcium Bicarbonate (15g/100mL), in water, even more so in a higher pH environment. So in theory, its possible that as the effluent was comming out of the reactor and mixing with the tank it was parcipitating out. But my next paragraph is going to refute this saying it was likely user error. lol
So I'm now thinking it may have nothing to do with chemistry what so ever and I may have had something else messing up... as I was much younger and much less knowledgable about salt aquaria at the time. So grand scheme of things now that I'm looking back on it I probably just messed something else up... As there is no reason I shouldn't have been able to do it now that I really think about it, I can think of all kinds of theoretical reasons why... like I have to do when I find an error in a lab that shouldn't be possible, but when I think about what "should" happen it doesnt make sence that the Ca would parcipitate out. So maybe my reactor wasn't functioning Idealy for a wile... or something similar. Suffice to say, I was having problems and I blamed the Mg, when I lowered the levels again it seemed to solve it... so not 100% what the problem is or why but something happened when I tryed to increase it.
I see. I definitely agree that a lot of things must work in harmony within a reef tank and different levels of one thing impact the other. I find it very interesting, which is funny because I like math, but hated Chemistry until now when it applies to my tank. Funny how interests change what is boring or entertaining.
I can see it precipitating out right after leaving the effluent with a reactor. That is very different than dosing. You are dropping a solution that is both high in alk and calcium unlike dosing which you will dose the 2 things separately. With the instantaneous rise in ph from the solution dripping into tank water there will always(well frequently, always is never a good word to use, either is never lol) be some precipitate. Hence the build up on pumps, heaters, and even sump walls in close proximity to the effluent. Even dosing, I am tinkering with where the best place to let my dosers drip into the sump. Obviously a high flow area is best, but the highest flow area is right by the skimmer and I don't want it skimmed out right away or build up of precipitate within the skimmer parts.
Thats an awesome tank you have their nonstop, you should post a vid of the tank soon lol, I still have to work on my water chemistry little more so I get that coralline algae all over my rocks, can't wait.
Thanks! I will try, I have never recorded videos before, but with the new camera I can take some 1080p ones. I will try when I get back into town.
That's alot of thiaminase,(Raw- fish,shell fish, crustanceans) the enzyme that splits vitamin B complex eliminating vitamin B1-thiamine causing potentially deadly concequences to the immune system. Amazing how Saltwater fish can live on it as it would probably be a death sentence for Freshy's. Good thing Bacteria, Fungi, + Flora are able to naturally produce Vitamin B1 - Animalia can not.
Hmm strange - did not know this. Also strange as most very serious freshwater keepers I know almost exclusively feed their monsters marine proteins. Shrimp etc.
I wouldn't worry about the thiaminase content of any of those foods provided that those fishes are receiving a vitamin supplement that includes Vitamin B1 and/or have a similar diet in the wild.
Just picked up my new Reflectors and Ballasts(guy threw in another ballast, extra cords/connections, and a bag of different brand and kelvin bulbs to try out). Guy has a ridiculous setup. 460 gallon mixed reef, 120 gallon cube mixed, and 800!!! more gallons of tanks and frag tanks downstairs. Best part is the guy sells all his frags for 5-10 bucks. I had to get a couple including a really really sweet mushroom. I don't get excited about shrooms but this thing is sick and I got 3 polyps for 5 bucks lol.
One problem. The reflectors are bigger than I thought and I might not be able to use them without completely changing my canopy which I would prefer not to do. So I may be reselling these and getting different ones that fit lol.
My house and my parents currently look like used Fish stores with everything from set ups to high end stuff to crappy stuff. Just gotta somehow balance this without the mother and gf getting too mad. hahaha.
One problem. The reflectors are bigger than I thought and I might not be able to use them without completely changing my canopy which I would prefer not to do. So I may be reselling these and getting different ones that fit lol.
My house and my parents currently look like used Fish stores with everything from set ups to high end stuff to crappy stuff. Just gotta somehow balance this without the mother and gf getting too mad. hahaha.
Just picked up my new Reflectors and Ballasts(guy threw in another ballast, extra cords/connections, and a bag of different brand and kelvin bulbs to try out). Guy has a ridiculous setup. 460 gallon mixed reef, 120 gallon cube mixed, and 800!!! more gallons of tanks and frag tanks downstairs. Best part is the guy sells all his frags for 5-10 bucks. I had to get a couple including a really really sweet mushroom. I don't get excited about shrooms but this thing is sick and I got 3 polyps for 5 bucks lol.
One problem. The reflectors are bigger than I thought and I might not be able to use them without completely changing my canopy which I would prefer not to do. So I may be reselling these and getting different ones that fit lol.
My house and my parents currently look like used Fish stores with everything from set ups to high end stuff to crappy stuff. Just gotta somehow balance this without the mother and gf getting too mad. hahaha.
Sounds like you're doing pretty well when it comes to finding cool saltwater stuff.
Thanks! I will try, I have never recorded videos before, but with the new camera I can take some 1080p ones. I will try when I get back into town.
Now that you mention it, my sister has her HD flip here right now - so maybe I will be doing some HD video myself! All the new goodies - man I gotta get to work on my thread.
My house and my parents currently look like used Fish stores with everything from set ups to high end stuff to crappy stuff. Just gotta somehow balance this without the mother and gf getting too mad. hahaha.
Our parents should start a club haha
