First time dosing magnesium

[Reef-_-Noob]

So magnesium in the tank has remained relatively high closer to 1400. Just did a test and is showing 1260. I am also noticing cloudy water at times and looks to be precipitate. I have read some literature that higher alk and calcium with lower mag may cause this. Could this be my case?

Parameters
Alk: 9.3
Calcium: 425 (its dropping from over 500)
Magnesium: 1260
Ph 8.2-8.3
Salinity: 1.023

How do I go about dosing the mag? Raise it slowly or all at once? Also is there anything to look out for when dosing?

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

So magnesium in the tank has remained relatively high closer to 1400. Just did a test and is showing 1260. I am also noticing cloudy water at times and looks to be precipitate. I have read some literature that higher alk and calcium with lower mag may cause this. Could this be my case?

Parameters
Alk: 9.3
Calcium: 425 (its dropping from over 500)
Magnesium: 1260
Ph 8.2-8.3
Salinity: 1.023

How do I go about dosing the mag? Raise it slowly or all at once? Also is there anything to look out for when dosing?

I just purchased red magnesium foundation for magnesium dosing

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Follow the instructions on the product. Red Sea also has some info online about how they recommend you add different supplements - what order, how far apart, and how much to raise at one time.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

STOP.

Magnesium did not decline from 1400 to 1260 ppm, unless the salinity dropped a lot.

Real magnesium consumption is about 1/10th if the calcium decline and never drops more than 1-2 ppm per day.

A big drop is test error. Make sure the new value is accurate before dosing.

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

STOP.

Magnesium did not decline from 1400 to 1260 ppm, unless the salinity dropped a lot.

Real magnesium consumption is about 1/10th if the calcium decline and never drops more than 1-2 ppm per day.

A big drop is test error. Make sure the new value is accurate before dosing.

This was not a change overnight. It has been 3 months since last water change. The salt mixes magnesium around the 1400 ppm . I prefer not to perform a water change since I have been getting good results. Does this information make a difference?

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

I am a little worried about the magnesium side of things.. is there relation to magnesium and phosphates. In my testing I have seen correlations

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

Salinity has been stable between 1.023 1.024 doesn't deviate much I monitor and perform manually. It really is a case of being stable for 3 months no water changes and magnesium dropping.

I do not test magnesium often bc the number wasn't moving.

I do not think it is more complicated

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Salinity has been stable between 1.023 1.024 doesn't deviate much I monitor and perform manually. It really is a case of being stable for 3 months no water changes and magnesium dropping.

I do not test magnesium often bc the number wasn't moving.

I do not think it is more complicated

Im skeptical, but dosing is easy. Add 25-50 ppm per day for a few days.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Did you add calcium and alk every day for those three months?

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

I am dosing 2 part though calcium uptake is not as much as carbonate.
Steady dosing of calcium took the level over 500. The carbonate is every other day.

I now have an empty bottle of part b and a full bottle of part A

Edit I was dosing during that time but not every day the consumption wasn't that high

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, if the tank reads well below that new salt water using the same kit, boosting it seems fine. FWIW, 1260 ppm nearly matches the 1280 ppm of 35 ppt natural seawater, so there’s no emergency.