Can my Mag really be 1600ppm

[turfster26]

Well like the title states, my Mag has been at or above 1550 for the past month. I've tested it weekly with Red Sea test kit (which is fairly new/not expired).

To that end, a few questions. What can cause it to be that high? What problems can it cause? And what's the best way to bring it down?

I don't dose two part, but I do run a CalRx and have been for 10+ years (same reactor & same brand media, etc). I've been using Live Aquaria salt for the better part of 9-10 months and do weekly or bi-weekly water changes.

I haven't tested my salt mix recently, so that's obviously my first step this coming weekend to see if my salt is the issue. I do find it a bit hard to believe a salt mix would be the issue, but have to rule that out. I calibrated my refractometer (and do so every few months). I run my tank at 1.027. My Alk is spot on at 8.85 dkh, my Cal is perfect too at 450ppm and pH 8.15. Phos & Nitrates are within range.

Just running this up the R2R flagpole to see if I'm missing something.....we are human and all make mistakes.

Lastly, have to mention that my SPS dominant tank (which had a reboot exactly a year ago) is the best it's look in a loooooong time. All sps frags are encrusting nicely and great polyp extension.

Any help and/or insight would be greatly appreciated....thx so much in advance!

 

[NY_Caveman]

I use LiveAquaria salt as well and my Magnesium runs pretty high. In general, all other parameters are right where I want them. I do not believe 1,600 is a detrimental level, but as Randy mentioned here there has not been much study in Mg toxicity.

Unfortunately, the link to his full Magnesium article appears broken.

 

[NY_Caveman]

He mentioned here that 1650 was not a problem. I do not mean to speak for him, but I know he is not around as much since starting a new job.

 

[WWIII]

live aquaria and fritz "the same imo" both run high magnesium. Usually around 1450-1500, but occasionally i've had boxes mix up to 1600 or a little higher. Good news is you never have to supplement magnesium I guess!?

I've never had a problem with magnesium that high.

 

[SPR1968]

It might be worth double checking with a different test kit or ICP test.

In’thought’ I was running very high magnesium at 14-1500 for months, using the Red Sea test kit, and when I had a Triton test it was actually 1224ppm. I purchased a NYOS Magnesium test kit and that matched the Triton within 5ppm

Coral growth had stalled and they didn’t look truly happy, but once I topped the magnesium up they their health improved dramatically in some cases,

 

[turfster26]

Thanks for the replies. And yes I agree, I should get another name brand test kit. I do have an unopened ICP kit sitting on my shelf, so maybe a good time to send off one. I got frustrated with ICP b/c the first one I sent in got "lost in the mail" and CS sent me a new one.

And like I mentioned, I am very curious to see this weekend what my actual salt mix is tell me. I'll be sure to post the results of the big three: alk, cal and mag.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I have a WC as well this weekend with LA salt, new batch, and I will try and remember same.

 

[turfster26]

I have a WC as well this weekend with LA salt, new batch, and I will try and remember same.

That would be great. It would be very interesting to see other's results.

For the record (and I will post it again w/ results) I am using Red Sea RFP test kits and all three are relatively new reagents.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I tested my LA saltmix today. First let me say, I use the Salifert test for Mg and it always tests high. Although the test seems simple to execute, it is new to me and I make no claims of lab quality results. Until I saw this thread I considered I was doing something wrong. That said here are my results.

LiveAquaria salt mixed to 52.1 ms/cm (1.0258 SG or 34.29 ppt). New bucket just opened after rolling it around for a few seconds.

I ran the test and the color did not change before I emptied the syringe. This means I am over 1,500 Mg. It took me an additional 0.2 ml of the Mg3 reagent to see a color change which would indicate the Mg level was 1,800. Pretty high, but again, I am not super confident there is zero human error.

 

[turfster26]

I finally got a chance to test my salt (Live Aquaria) yesterday during a WC. Results were pretty impressive and do state accurately what LA states on their label.

So with that said, I am assuming at this point, that my high Mag reading (1550-1600) lately "may" be coming from my CalRx and not the salt. I'll keep an eye on things at this point, since my SPS dominant tank has been rocking lately and don't want to &^%$#$%^ up.

SG: 1.026
Temp: 73
pH: 7.9

Alk: 8.8 dkh
Cal: 430
Mag: 1440

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Many people have problems with the Red Sea magnesium kit and I would not assume the value is accurate. I also wouldn’t worry much about it.

 

[turfster26]

Many people have problems with the Red Sea magnesium kit and I would not assume the value is accurate. I also wouldn’t worry much about it.

Thank you Randy. I may try Salifert or another trusted kit.