How to use salifert mag test kit :/

[Mike1995]

I got the salifert magnesium test kit. It makes absolutely no sense to me how to use it. I spent like 2 hours trying to do it and reading the directions over and over. Can someone dumb it down and explain how to use it please?

 

[GoVols]

I got the salifert magnesium test kit. It makes absolutely no sense to me how to use it. I spent like 2 hours trying to do it and reading the directions over and over. Can someone dumb it down and explain how to use it please?

 

[Mike1995]

I did exactly what he did. Is it possible my kit is faulty or something?

 

[wesman42]

In what regard? Are you getting super high or low readings? What's happening with it that makes you think it's bad?

 

[GoVols]

Is it possible my kit is faulty or something?

Maybe

 

[Mike1995]

In what regard? Are you getting super high or low readings? What's happening with it that makes you think it's bad?

In the final step when you swirl and drip the mag 3 stuff from the thin seringe, it stays purple and doesn't change to gray or blue like it's supposed to.

 

[Crabs McJones]

In the final step when you swirl and drip the mag 3 stuff from the thin seringe, it stays purple and doesn't change to gray or blue like it's supposed to.

Even if you empty the syringe into the test solution? It's possible that your mag is higher than the kit can test for. If the solution is a purple color when you empty the syringe, your mag is probably slightly higher than 1500. High mag is not uncommon

 

[GoVols]

In the final step when you swirl and drip the mag 3 stuff from the thin seringe, it stays purple and doesn't change to gray or blue like it's supposed to.

What salt mix are you using?

 

[Mike1995]

Even if you empty the syringe into the test solution? It's possible that your mag is higher than the kit can test for. If the solution is a purple color when you empty the syringe, your mag is probably slightly higher than 1500. High mag is not uncommon

Is it bad to be that high??

What salt mix are you using?

instant ocean for now. Eventually I wanna switch but I still have 150 gallons worth left so I don't wanna waste it lol. Is red sea better?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Is it bad to be that high??

It depends on what your other levels are. But higher mag ismt a huge deal

 

[Mike1995]

It depends on what your other levels are. But higher mag ismt a huge deal

My calcium is 440
Alk is 8.5
Ph 8.2
Nitrate 5
Phosphate .50
Temp 78

 

[GoVols]

Is red sea better

I like the Blue Bucket, but stitched over to the DD Pro mag mix.
It's keeps my cal reactor tuned in to the parameters then I run when making water changes.

Used IO most of my life, but don't like it's high alk.

 

[pecan2phat]

Retest it by emptying the full syringe and draw another syringe and very slowly go drop by drop and add that value to the final number. This will determine if you have elevated magnesium.
Quite common when doing the calcium test when levels are over 500 ppm.

 

[Mike1995]

Retest it by emptying the full syringe and draw another syringe and very slowly go drop by drop and add that value to the final number. This will determine if you have elevated magnesium.
Quite common when doing the calcium test when levels are over 500 ppm.

I did this. It worked
So I think my magnesium levels are over 1500. My calcium was between 440 and 460. Is that okay?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I did this. It worked
So I think my magnesium levels are over 1500. My calcium was between 440 and 460. Is that okay?

It is likely fine. If you are not presently dosing magnesium, I’d probably just stop measuring it.

What are you dosing?

 

[Mike1995]

It is likely fine. If you are not presently dosing magnesium, I’d probably just stop measuring it.

What are you dosing?

My tank is less than a year old and recently just started looking better. So currently I don't dose anything. I do have the seachem fusion 1 and 2 but havent used it yet. Should I be?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I got the salifert magnesium test kit. It makes absolutely no sense to me how to use it. I spent like 2 hours trying to do it and reading the directions over and over. Can someone dumb it down and explain how to use it please?

Don't feel bad.....30+ years in the hobby and I gave up on these kits. Now use the friendlier Elos kits

 

[jasonrusso]

I dose reef fusion 1 and 2 (mag included in 2) and it is about 1550. The whole 1ml and another couple drops. I don't sweat it as it's consistent.

 

[Mike1995]

I dose reef fusion 1 and 2 (mag included in 2) and it is about 1550. The whole 1ml and another couple drops. I don't sweat it as it's consistent.

I have the seachem fusion 1 &2. Should I use it at all?

 

[jasonrusso]

I have the seachem fusion 1 &2. Should I use it at all?

Use what, the Fusion or the mag test?