High Mg in Instant Ocean

jd371 · Mar 15, 2020

I've been testing high Mg in my tank the last month so I decided to check the IO mix.

Mix:
Sg 1.025
Alk 10.2
Ca 470
Mg 1710! (tested twice with a new Salifert kit)

The Alk is okay I'd get anywhere from 9 - 10.5, Ca is a little high but close enough to where I test at to not be of too concern 400 - 450. The Mg on the other hand has never been this high, usually I'd test it around 1350 -1425. Anybody else experiencing high Mg in their IO?

Mastiffsrule · Mar 17, 2020

Evening

That is high for io. Is it reg or crystals. I always found the regular mixed low on mag. My question would be did you mix the pack first just in case there was any separating ? Then is it a new test kit or same one you been using for a while? I may just run a sample to a LFS for a second read

2Wheelsonly · Mar 17, 2020

I've been using IO for over 5 years and not once have I ever seen those numbers. It's usually spot on with calc 380-400 and mag 1290 and alk 9.8-10.1.

You sure your refracto is calibrated properly?

jd371 · Mar 18, 2020

I buy the 200g box of regular IO and then empty the bags into a bucket so it gets mixed well during the transfer so I don't think it could be separating. I did use a new test kit but I was still getting high Mg with the last kit as well. I calibrate the refractometer with each test and then double check with the Milwaukee. I haven't been testing the mix because it was always consistent, but since I've been getting MG above 1500 for the last month I decided to check the mix.

homer1475 · Mar 18, 2020

2Wheelsonly said:
I've been using IO for over 5 years and not once have I ever seen those numbers. It's usually spot on with calc 380-400 and mag 1290 and alk 9.8-10.1.

You sure your refracto is calibrated properly?

This +1

I typically have to lower alk(like mine around 7.5), and raise mag to 1350 in a new batch. Cal is a tad high, but not out of range.

Although I have had the odd box mix up weird with high mag(but never that high). Really no way to drop it, and high mag typically won't cause any issues. I just used it.

jd371 · Mar 18, 2020

I was going off memory but looking back at my notes when I use to test the mix water I was mistaken with Mg and was getting in the range of 1290 - 1350. The low 1400's is were I like to keep my tank at but I've been getting above 1500 for the past month. I'm not concerned because the tank is doing great and just curious if anybody else was experiencing high Mg from their mix.

Dr. Jim · Mar 18, 2020

Which Mg test kit?

jd371 · Mar 19, 2020

Salifert

homer1475 · Mar 19, 2020

I actually just mixed up a fresh 50G yesterday, with a new box that has a different lot number then my previous box.

I will test it later this evening and post results.

FWIW, I hate the new bags they started packing the 200G box with.

OnPointCorals · Apr 23, 2021

High Mag again in IO. Freshly mixed testing 1600. Has anyone else been noticing this?

homer1475 · Apr 24, 2021

IO is high in mag, but I've never had it that high. Are you using a 200G box, or a bucket? If the latter, roll it around some next time first. Stratification is a real thing with the buckets of salt.

jeffp1 · Apr 24, 2021

I am using Reef Crystals and my Magnesium is also sound 1500. I am guilty of not mixing the buckets up.

jordan10 · Apr 24, 2021

homer1475 said:
IO is high in mag, but I've never had it that high. Are you using a 200G box, or a bucket? If the latter, roll it around some next time first. Stratification is a real thing with the buckets of salt.

What do u mean stratification? What is that I may be dumb question sorry. But all I use is the buckets should I be doing something?

ReeferLou · Apr 24, 2021

I experienced this Hi MG exceeding hi limit of my salifert with bucket of IO Reef Crystals. I did not mix the bucket . I hear too high mag is bad for snails - I did lose a few around this time.

Joe31415 · Apr 24, 2021

I use the IO 200g Box. While I've never measured checked the numbers of the water still in the mixing container, in my coral QT, with very little consumption (just a few corals), mixed to around 1.025, I'm getting:
Alk 8.5-9.5
Cal 500+
Phos .04-.05
Mag 1500+

When I first ventured into the hobby a few months ago, one of the things I bought early on (blame it on the BRS videos) was two part. So far, after 2 months with 6 corals in a 20 gallon QT made with IO Reef Crystals, the only thing I've had to dose, and I didn't even really 'have' to do it, was about 3ml of soda ash to bump up the ph just a hair over 8 (from a hair under 8) and get the alkalinity raised by about a half a point.

OnPointCorals · Apr 24, 2021

I personally get the 200 gallon bags (50 a bag) and mix it up thoroughly. IO didn't use to have 1500+ mag.

Only reason I tested is I dose heavily in my system and haven't needed to add mag in 6 months, I have been so confused by this as I dose 250ml a day of ALK and Calcium.

ZoWhat · Apr 24, 2021

Non-issue

I've ran Mag over 2000ppm before with no ill effect.

homer1475 · Apr 24, 2021

Stratification....

When elements settle in the bucket. IE - ALK settles to the bottom of the bucket. So when fist mixing a batch the ALK may be low, but when gotten down to the bottom of the bucket, ALK is high.

BRS did a video a while back about it, and it was very noticeable with some salts.

IMO, we used to raise MAG over 2000 to combat bryopsis with a certain magnesium supplement. Nothing ever came of values as high as 2500. Over that and inverts started to act very sluggish.