Magnesium at 1600?

[ccejka]

I will start out by saying I NEVER test Mag, I know I should but with Hanna's I always have a hard time breaking out my Red Sea kit for the Mag.

Broke it out tonight and my tank is stable at 8 dKH and 425 - 435 Cal. Tested Mag for the first time in 2 months and it is at 1600 ppm. I dose Ca and Alk but no Mag and have only been dosing those for a few weeks. Any idea why my Mag would be that high? I am getting a test kit from my brother to make sure its not the test kit.

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

What salt are you using?

 

[ccejka]

Fritz Red Box

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Have you tested your fresh mixed saltwater? I know IO reef crystals runs high on levels.

The reason I ask is because 1600 is a bit high of a number. I would suggest doing a water change to bring it down, but if your fresh saltwater is measuring high, then you will need to wait it out and let it drop on it's own. You may also have to smaller water changes or less frequently to try and maintain magnesium below 1500.

 

[ccejka]

I am doing a 2 gallon a day water change with an AWC set up. I will test the water from the drum and see what it says.

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

How much water volume do you have?

 

[ccejka]

265 gallons

 

[blasterman]

My vote is it's likely a bad test kit. By experience I've found Mag test kits, particularly the amatuer ones to be horrible. Test with another kit.

Amatuer salt mixes like Reef Crystals will often run absurdly high on alk like 13 dKH and calcium around 420, but I've never seen a salt mix run Mag higher than ~1300. Magnesium Chloride is the most expensive ingredient anyways.

 

[ccejka]

I am still waiting on my brother to bring one over... He has never been fast when I need something lol