Magnesium Rising by itself!!

[uutank]

I’ve a 180gallon setup closing on to a year now. To this day I’ve not dosed a drop of mag in my tank. The mag levels somehow manage to stay above 1350, only for the first time last week it dropped to 1320, I waited out for weekend to dose, and when I checked on weekend the mag levels were 1410. This is the latest case and ive seen these type of fluctuations a lot, it magically increases.
Earlier I used to blame it on water change and maybe due to the salt mix. But now, I’ve not had a water change for like 3 months.

I’ve a mixed reef and everything from softies to SPS to LPS all are healthy and growing in the tank only exception being a Goniopora.

 

[PDR]

What test kit are you using and are you dosing any alkalinity and calcium?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I would start with sslt mix?
What brand and what temperature?
Hiw are you mixing the water?
Take a sample to your LFS to have readings verified and see how they compare with your tests

 

[uutank]

I would start with sslt mix?
What brand and what temperature?
Hiw are you mixing the water?
Take a sample to your LFS to have readings verified and see how they compare with your tests

I’m using Red Sea Coral Pro. My tank temp stays at 26 degree Celsius. I mix it the normal way in a separate 100litres bucket with ro di water.
I don’t know how it’s back in your country but in my country lfs guys also use test kits to check water params. They don’t have any lag grade equipment here.

 

[uutank]

What test kit are you using and are you dosing any alkalinity and calcium?

I’m using Salifert test kit for mag. And yes I dose mag and alk, I use alk and mag from Randy’s Recipe. Both cal and alk are on autodoser.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

IMO , it’s not High or low enough chance to be concerned with. Mag is the most common test error across all kits, and those are well within error range.

 

[PDR]

I agree with Salty, nothing to worry about and probably just testing error.

I found this quote from Randy earlier this year. "Unless the salinity is rising (due to evaporation that you didn't replace), the rise in calcium and magnesium (if any) can only come from dosing or test error."

 

[uutank]

I agree with Salty, nothing to worry about and probably just testing error.

I found this quote from Randy earlier this year. "Unless the salinity is rising (due to evaporation that you didn't replace), the rise in calcium and magnesium (if any) can only come from dosing or test error."

Yeah even I’ve read this.
But my concern is in 8 months, I’ve never dosed magnesium ever. Neither do I do monthly water changes. Though i do water changes but not routine as params are perfect and everything seems to be pretty happy. And my corals are growing too. All I’m worried about is all of a sudden tank crash.

 

[vegamedic]

All I’m worried about is all of a sudden tank crash.

the good news is that high mag won't crash your tank. some people run 1600+ to try and fight algae. I did this myself and it did absolutely nothing to the tank, including algae. perhaps your dosing solutions have some magnesium in them (as impurities)? at the end of the day I wouldn't worry much about it. the increase you saw is right around 5 or 6%, which is within test kit error anyway.

 

[Mical]

Next water change stir salt up before mixing it. Sometimes salt settles and you get more of some elements.

 

[uutank]

the good news is that high mag won't crash your tank. some people run 1600+ to try and fight algae. I did this myself and it did absolutely nothing to the tank, including algae. perhaps your dosing solutions have some magnesium in them (as impurities)? at the end of the day I wouldn't worry much about it. the increase you saw is right around 5 or 6%, which is within test kit error anyway.

I’m worried that test kits show error while in reality the mag levels may be low. And all of a sudden one day everything is gone. Yeah I understand that everything’s pretty much in Range

 

[uutank]

Next water change stir salt up before mixing it. Sometimes salt settles and you get more of some elements.

I do, I prepare my water in a 100litres bucket, and throw two wavemakers inside the bucket. It does the job for me

 

[PDR]

I’m worried that test kits show error while in reality the mag levels may be low. And all of a sudden one day everything is gone. Yeah I understand that everything’s pretty much in Range

That is why it was recommended to take a sample to your LFS, not because they have better tests, but just to double check the results. As long as everything looks healthy I don't think you need to be worrying about a sudden tank crash just because of some potentially low or high magnesium.

 

[Mical]

I do, I prepare my water in a 100litres bucket, and throw two wavemakers inside the bucket. It does the job for me

No I meant mix salt up in bucket of salt before adding it to water. I had inconsistencies of alk, cal, and found mixing salt prior to adding to water made a difference.

 

[uutank]

No I meant mix salt up in bucket of salt before adding it to water. I had inconsistencies of alk, cal, and found mixing salt prior to adding to water made a difference.

Thanks man will keep that in mind [emoji846]