Magnesium struggle

[Hossam89]

I wonder if someone can help me out!

I used to add PH buffer to my tank to maintain higher PH
But since then my magnisium levels went sky high over 2000 ppm
I stopped doing pH buffer, and stopped dosing any more magnesium for months
I made several 100% water changes and the magnesium levels when down slightly it’s now 1900 ppm and of course my corals are struggling

The salt I use have normal magnesium levels
What should I do??!

 

[gbroadbridge]

I wonder if someone can help me out!

I used to add PH buffer to my tank to maintain higher PH
But since then my magnisium levels went sky high over 2000 ppm
I stopped doing pH buffer, and stopped dosing any more magnesium for months
I made several 100% water changes and the magnesium levels when down slightly it’s now 1900 ppm and of course my corals are struggling

The salt I use have normal magnesium levels
What should I do??!

I don't know what product you have been adding, however it is unlikely that your Magnesium is that high.

Test using a different test kit.

Have you checked the Magnesium reading on freshly mixed salt water?

 

[SPR1968]

As above I would check the test kit but also I would not add any pH buffers because unless there’s a need, which in the majority of cases there isnt, your pH should be fine within a relatively wide margin.

Messing with pH can cause all sorts of issues.

If the raised magnesium is causing problems, which again is unlikely so check its that and not something else, you could do water changes with a salt with nominal magnesium levels.

All depends on the size of the tank and how easy water changes are etc.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Im skeptical of the scenario itself.

The new salt water reads normal with the same kit that shows 1900 ppm in the tank even after multiple 100% water changes?

I expect test error is the answer. the only way that scenario can be true is if somehow massive amounts of magnesium are being added between the water change and the next test.

What salt mix?

IMO, it’s time for RMM;

Just say NO to magnesium testing: RMM is born

OK, this thread has been many years in the making, and I'm posting it here since folks in the chem forum are probably already tired of all the threads relating to problematic magnesium testing. I'm going to propose a method, let's call it the Randy Magnesium Method, or RMM for short. All good...

www.reef2reef.com