Magnesium levels rising without adding supplements to reactor

[Sierra_Bravo]

I'm curious as to what may be happening here. I brought a calcium reactor online in mid-July; had it completely dialed in by mid-August. Since then I've seen my magnesium levels steadily increase, with my last three weeks being 1600+ and out of range of Red Sea's test kit. I am using just Reborn without any supplemental magnesium. It is a much larger reactor than needed for my tank, but I wouldn't think that would make a difference.

Any insight on what may be happening? What other reasons could be a possible explanation?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Many people get problem readings with the Red Sea kit. So while there are reasons that magnesium may very slowly rise, kit error is by far the most likely in this case.

how much had mag risen? If it is more than 1-2 ppm per day, then either it is test error, wrong media in reactor, Rising salinity, or some additive adding it that you didn’t know.

 

[ScottR]

To add to Randy’s explanation, your rock could be leeching Mg. I’ve seen my Mg raise unexpectedly. And I don’t see it as a problem.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Many people get problem readings with the Red Sea kit. So while there are reasons that magnesium may very slowly rise, kit error is by far the most likely in this case.

how much had mag risen? If it is more than 1-2 ppm per day, then either it is test error, wrong media in reactor, Rising salinity, or some additive adding it that you didn’t know.

I think many people have an issue with the Red Sea kit because they miss the single drop/mix, single drop/mix, etc. part of the process. I've been using Red Sea seemingly successfully for two years; prior to having a calc reactor typically I have been in the 1300-1350 range, manually dosing when needed. Since the calc reactor coming online I've seen it rise in value by 20-40 points per week.

I'll buy another brand test just to confirm what I'm seeing. Do you know which one has the highest upper range?

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I also found a few recent threads regarding IO salt testing higher than normal lately. Coincidentally I started using a newly purchased box of IO salt early July as well. I'll test my next new water batch.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think many people have an issue with the Red Sea kit because they miss the single drop/mix, single drop/mix, etc. part of the process. I've been using Red Sea seemingly successfully for two years; prior to having a calc reactor typically I have been in the 1300-1350 range, manually dosing when needed. Since the calc reactor coming online I've seen it rise in value by 20-40 points per week.

I'll buy another brand test just to confirm what I'm seeing. Do you know which one has the highest upper range?

any magnesium kit can be used for higher values. Just use a second syringe of titrations and add the values together.