Magnesium Levels - Salisfert Test Kit >1500ppm

[RaymondL]

I picked up a Salisfert Mg test kit and the color wouldn't change from pink to - gray/blue, so that means the Mg levels is over 1500mg.

What is the impact of this, and what typically contributes to high values, and how can I lower it if I should?

 

[DanyL]

I would double check with another kit to verify the results are correct.

Generally, LPS usually love a bit elevated Mag however they may get irritated if its way above the recommended range.
SPS on the other hand does not respond well to it from my experience.

Magnesium levels may elevate when an organism that consumes high amounts of it stops growing at the same rate s it used to be, a good examples for them are Carolina and Chaeto.

As for a way to decrease it, the easiest would probably be though water changes.

 

[Dburr1014]

My aqua first kit goes higher than that.
Last I checked, I was 1575.
No issues.

 

[nkyreef]

I've had magnesium levels close to 1450-1500 and didn't notice any negative affects. Water changes eventually brought it down. If you want to bring it down faster large water changes are about your only option.

 

[RaymondL]

Thanks all - I'm using Instant Ocean Reef Mix - I have some mixed up still from my last water change, and measured it - the Salisfert test kit went to the last drop before it change color from pink to blue, so it's 1500ppm of Mg - that's more than what they advertise on the box.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I have the Red Sea Magnesium Test Kit, could do three different test, and have three different results. All different from the LFS. Then I got a Magnetic Stirrer, the same, believable results each time. Also did an API pH test, with and without. pH aligned perfectly with my calibrated pH Probe.

 

[RaymondL]

I've had magnesium levels close to 1450-1500 and didn't notice any negative affects. Water changes eventually brought it down. If you want to bring it down faster large water changes are about your only option.

I would, but I can't - apparently, the Instant Ocean Reef mix I'm using appears to be yielding 1500+ PPM of Mg...sigh

 

[RaymondL]

My aqua first kit goes higher than that.
Last I checked, I was 1575.
No issues.

I'm told that high values for Mg can kill snails, crabs?

 

[Dburr1014]

I'm told that high values for Mg can kill snails, crabs?

How high?
Mine are all fine.

 

[RaymondL]

How high?
Mine are all fine.

Mg is 1550

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I’d switch to Reef Crystals, if you want Corals. Walmart will deliver the 200 gallon box, with Four 50 Gallon bags in the box, for Cheap. No shipping fees. If door delivery is risky, you can get it delivered to the nearest store. I’m running just under 1500 with Reef Crystals.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d switch to Reef Crystals, if you want Corals. Walmart will deliver the 200 gallon box, with Four 50 Gallon bags in the box, for Cheap. No shipping fees. If door delivery is risky, you can get it delivered to the nearest store. I’m running just under 1500 with Reef Crystals.

Switch from what? It seems as if that is what he is using now.

"Thanks all - I'm using Instant Ocean Reef Mix - "

FWIW, I prefer normal IO to Reef Crystals due to the added ingredients in RC that I do not want (vitamins and metal chelators).

 

[Dburr1014]

I’d switch to Reef Crystals, if you want Corals. Walmart will deliver the 200 gallon box, with Four 50 Gallon bags in the box, for Cheap. No shipping fees. If door delivery is risky, you can get it delivered to the nearest store. I’m running just under 1500 with Reef Crystals.

My corals grow fine with normal io.

 

[Tony Tanks]

I have three different test kits . One is a Aquaforest Test Pro ant the other two are Salifert. Each test kit would give me a different reading . Than i tried a few different syringe's. I drew liquid into each one and found that each one had a different amount of liquid . This would make a difference in the amount of liquid that was left in the syringe at the end of the test. Has anyone had the same problem?

 

[gbroadbridge]

I have three different test kits . One is a Aquaforest Test Pro ant the other two are Salifert. Each test kit would give me a different reading . Than i tried a few different syringe's. I drew liquid into each one and found that each one had a different amount of liquid . This would make a difference in the amount of liquid that was left in the syringe at the end of the test. Has anyone had the same problem?

How did you measure the volume of liquid drawn into each syringe?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have three different test kits . One is a Aquaforest Test Pro ant the other two are Salifert. Each test kit would give me a different reading . Than i tried a few different syringe's. I drew liquid into each one and found that each one had a different amount of liquid . This would make a difference in the amount of liquid that was left in the syringe at the end of the test. Has anyone had the same problem?

The liquid level in a syringe is of no concern. Syringes are measured from the tip of the barrel, not the liquid level, due to liquid volume in the tip.

This shows how to use a syringe:

Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #161 Using a Syringe

Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #160 I have just drawn tank water into a syringe with a tip (shown below, including a blowup of the barrel). The blue coloration shows where the fluid is. When I started to draw fluid in, the tip and syringe were empty and the plunger was all the way in...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[gbroadbridge]

The liquid level in a syringe is of no concern. Syringes are measured from the tip of the barrel, not the liquid level, due to liquid volume in the tip.

This shows how to use a syringe:

Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #161 Using a Syringe

Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #160 I have just drawn tank water into a syringe with a tip (shown below, including a blowup of the barrel). The blue coloration shows where the fluid is. When I started to draw fluid in, the tip and syringe were empty and the plunger was all the way in...

www.reef2reef.com

Pfft. You took the fun out of my question lol.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Pfft. You took the fun out of my question lol.

lol