By the way, KH is 5, pH is 8.2, Nitrate is 10?! (there is nothing dying off
in the tank, its bare)
I didn't do anything to the RO before I added the salt other than aerate it
for 24 hours as I understand the Tropic Marin should buffer it OK.

Also, I would like to increase the SG to 1.025 as I'm sure this would also
help. What's the best way to calculate how much extra salt should be added
to the water?
---


"David Hillyard" wrote in message
...
I have 1110 Mg & 350 Ca in a new tank. Can anyone shed any light on this
for me?

I have drained and cleaned a 240l planted freshwater tank thoroughly with
tap water. Left it to stand and dry for a few weeks in the garage and
then started to set it up as a marine system.

I filled it with (known good) RO water and added Tropic Marin Pro Reef to
an SG of 1.023 (a little low I know). I have allowed this to mix
thoroughly and age for 3 days and was about to add live rock but tested
the water first.

To my dismay the Magnesium and Calcium are much lower than I would expect.
The tank is completely bare except for 3 powerheads, protein skimmer,
carbon & rowaphos in an external filter and the heaterstat. Does anyone
have an explanation for this? The salt has been tested by my lfs and it
seems OK.

If I do a 50% water change would this help?

David