Cal/mag needs for reef

[Delouise]

Does Magnesium directly contribute to Calcium uptake? I find that my Mag is generally pretty low <500 and my Cal high > 500.

 

[biom]

Does Magnesium directly contribute to Calcium uptake? I find that my Mag is generally pretty low <500 and my Cal high > 500.

Directly not, but you should check salinity or your salt quality or Mg test. 500 magnesium is very low to be explained only by coral uptake.

 

[Delouise]

Directly not, but you should check salinity or your salt quality or Mg test. 500 magnesium is very low to be explained only by coral uptake.

I just started adding trace elements (balling method) should I wait for that to kick in or add mag asap?

 

[biom]

I just started adding trace elements (balling method) should I wait for that to kick in or add mag asap?

Before adjusting mag levels you should be sure salinity is not too low. then check your mag test with freshly prepared salt water. Again magnesium levels below 500 is quite strange. You should find the reason. It could be bad test, low salinity, bad batch of salt, etc. if you are sure magnesium levels are really that low i would suggest water changes . Because if magnesium is that low probably all other ions are also unbalanced and simply adding magnesium will not be enough.

 

[Delouise]

Before adjusting mag levels you should be sure salinity is not too low. then check your mag test with freshly prepared salt water. Again magnesium levels below 500 is quite strange. You should find the reason. It could be bad test, low salinity, bad batch of salt, etc. if you are sure magnesium levels are really that low i would suggest water changes . Because if magnesium is that low probably all other ions are also unbalanced and simply adding magnesium will not be enough.

I hadn’t thought of bad salt?!? Ugh. I have a new box (insta-ocean) I’ll open and start using. I did just do a 25% water change and the salt was at (I use a refractometer) 1.025. I do calibrated it with a solution just about every time I test. I’m inclined to get another test kit, and see where we are before jumping into anything. Thank you.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The magnesium result is test error. Are you sure you are not reading the syringe backward? Which kit and how much titrant was added to get to the endpoint?

 

[Delouise]

The magnesium result is test error. Are you sure you are not reading the syringe backward? Which kit and how much titrant was added to get to the endpoint?

I tend to agree, test error, may be expired, I’ll check that when get home. It was an Elios (?) test kit and i added .61ml to get color change