High nitrates and alkalinity

[Scoota9010]

How often should I be vacuming my sand. I haven't In a few weeks but with all the rock it's hard to hit a lot of sand with out taking everything out.

 

[Scoota9010]

Magnesium is just as important as calcium and alk. You need to get a mag test kit ang get your magnesium levels to around 1300. Then you can try to stabilize calcium and alk. Magnesium helps keep the other two in check.

ok I will go buy that sucker tomorrow morning then.

 

[Scoota9010]

ok I will go buy that sucker tomorrow morning then.

How do I raise and lower magnesium levels though. Supplements?

 

[lmforbis]

I vac a little bit of my sand bed every week. I don't want to do too much because there are things going on in it that shouldn't be disturbed.

 

[Scoota9010]

I vac a little bit of my sand bed every week. I don't want to do too much because there are things going on in it that shouldn't be disturbed.

Ok I'll start doing that a little more then too, but not to much.

 

[Scoota9010]

I really appreciate all the advice so fast. I've been stressing out.

 

[bang guy]

How do I raise and lower magnesium levels though. Supplements?

For your size tank it's actually easier to use a large water change to raise Mg levels.

What supplements are you using at this time?

One reason for high Alkalinity can be using tap water instead of purified water.