Magnesium

[haiyzues]

Hey guys...
So about 3 weeks ago, I couldn't get my calcium up but now that I realize it, I think it's because I was making the switch from regular instant ocean to reef crystals..anyway I was testing magnesium with salifert and I'm pretty sure I was reading the results wrong. Just to clarify...this a dumb question but the more drops I add, the higher the mag? Anyway so if I have the right results than I probably should have never been using kent tech m cause now mag is over 1500 what should I do? All my corals have been great, all lps are open. Only thing I lost was daisy polyps which is weird but that was when my calc was low. Thanks for your time guys.

 

[Paolissimo]

I would also make sure your salinity is not high.

Sent from my VS920 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[KathyC]

I don't have a Mg Salifert kit to tell you if the more drops you have to add if your reading will be higer or lower, but do make sure you are reading the syringe with the tip pointing upwards..and do follow the instructions carefully!

If you are certain you did the test correctly and 1500 is your reading, that is not really bad. Many folks will raise their Mg level to over 1700 to get rid of bryopsis algae in their tank. It won't harm your corals or your fish.
Just let it reduce to 1350 natuarally when you do water changes.

You could always redo the test to double check your results

 

[rebelson]

This should help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKFaV3euOG8

 

[haiyzues]

I would also make sure your salinity is not high.

Sent from my VS920 4G using Tapatalk 2

Salinity can't rise though because of more mag though? It's at 1.026,

 

[haiyzues]

I don't have a Mg Salifert kit to tell you if the more drops you have to add if your reading will be higer or lower, but do make sure you are reading the syringe with the tip pointing upwards..and do follow the instructions carefully!

If you are certain you did the test correctly and 1500 is your reading, that is not really bad. Many folks will raise their Mg level to over 1700 to get rid of bryopsis algae in their tank. It won't harm your corals or your fish.
Just let it reduce to 1350 natuarally when you do water changes.

You could always redo the test to double check your results

Thanks for the help!

 

[rebelson]

Salinity can't rise though because of more mag though? It's at 1.026,

Your salinity is fine and does not fluctuate with mag levels. What are you using to check salinity?

 

[haiyzues]

This should help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKFaV3euOG8

Thank you, that's what I was tryin to find out, well I was doing the test right...

 

[haiyzues]

Your salinity is fine and does not fluctuate with mag levels. What are you using to check salinity?

Hydrometer, not good I know but I was planning on getting a refractometer next week, just wasn't sure which to go with.

 

[Paolissimo]

The reason i advised on checking salinity, is because you mentioned that you added kent tech m, as far as i know that add salt to the tank

 

[rebelson]

Hydrometer, not good I know but I was planning on getting a refractometer next week, just wasn't sure which to go with.

http://www.reefs.com/blog/2011/07/19/d-d-seawater-refractometer-head-to-head/

I personally use this and LOVE it:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4416+4486&pcatid=4486

 

[haiyzues]

http://www.reefs.com/blog/2011/07/19/d-d-seawater-refractometer-head-to-head/

I personally use this and LOVE it:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4416+4486&pcatid=4486

Sounds good, well definitely take it into consideration. Thanks for the links!

 

[rebelson]

Welcome and Good Luck!

 

[rbtwo4]

any reason y u r dosing mag?

 

[haiyzues]

any reason y u r dosing mag?

I was dosing it because I I couldn't get my calcium up, thinking that was the reason for it but that wasn't the issue. I'm not dosing anymore.