Crazy Mg readings...

[J Rog]

I cought my Mg level droping (reason being is that my litermeter is leaking. I think it is the tube). Tested last night and it was at 1270. So I put 5ML in. Tested about 2 hours later and the reading was 1220.. Came home on my lunch break today and dosed another 5ML. Tested when I came home about 6 hours after I dosed earlier today and my reading was 1200.. I don't get it.. :suspicious: Any ideas other then bad test kit? Which could be possible..

 

[J Rog]

Anyone?

 

[redfishbluefish]

What is your total tank/sump volume. Five milliliters seems a bit low, unless you are talking about a super nano of maybe 5 to 10 gallons. Use a reef calculator to add the correct amount of Mag to get your numbers up. With that said, I've found the calculators to be off. Start by only adding half what they recommend and go from there.

 

[Shtiff1]

I added about 30 grams a day of anhydrous Magnesium for my 125 gallon. Brightwell. It took me about 3 containers. That was when I knew it was dropping. I think by that time it is to late. Alot of mag later, I am finally back up.

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[J Rog]

Thanks for the heads up! I guess that was a low dose:tongue:. But its still weird that its dropping that fast. Don't you think?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Again....number of parameters...beginning with total volume. Another consideration is who's salt are you using....some are high in MAG than others.

Five milliliters in a large tank....180 gallons plus is like spitting into the wind....nada, nothing, zippo.

Need to know total volume....even for the reef calculators.

 

[Shtiff1]

Again....number of parameters...beginning with total volume. Another consideration is who's salt are you using....some are high in MAG than others.

Five milliliters in a large tank....180 gallons plus is like spitting into the wind....nada, nothing, zippo.

Need to know total volume....even for the reef calculators.

+1

Also coral load!

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[J Rog]

Here ya go
I have a 120 gallon display and about 50 gallon sump. Coral load is fairly light at the moment. 2 sps (orange digi and mili), a tourch, some z's and P's. I have been having some issues with P04 that is now rectified but lost some corals along the way.. I also have a bad aiptisa issue at the moment which got out of hand and started stinging a lot of corals..

 

[J Rog]

oh, I use Reef Crystals

 

[redfishbluefish]

OK….good stuff.


Using Bulk Reef Supply Reef Calculator and the follow numbers (assumptions):

Total Volume: 170 gallons
Starting MAG level: 1200
Target MAG level: 1400
Using mixed MAG solution (MgCl and MgS04)

You will need 2742 milliliters to bring up your MAG from 1200ppm to 1400ppm. Again, I would suggest actually adding some volume (say 300 to 400 mls/day) over a couple days….when you’re halfway there, test again, and continue testing each day until you get there.


FYI, you can make your own DIY magnesium by mixing MAG flakes (an ice melt product…less than $20/40lbs) and Epsom Salt (found at your local drug store.) HERE’s the actual recipe, if interested.