magnesium testing

[thisoldfish]

Hi all,

I've found that my Salifert Magnesium test kit is extremely inconsistent- today I did several tests (very carefully) and found range of 1275 to 1350. Is there a "gold standard" test kit out there that is reliably consistent?

thanks,

Brad

 

[Ocelaris]

Honestly, that sounds like it's just a function of testing accuracy with home kits. I actually moved to the salifert kit from red sea because it was always high. I can't say that I really care about magnesium as long as it's up over 1300 though. I wouldn't stress it too much unless you want to spend big bucks on an element that's not particularly consequential. Imo of course.

 

[Scott.h]

Magnesium is one of the elements that is hard to test for accurately. I use Salifert, although I rarely test for it. My ICP test generally reads higher then Salifert. I'm skeptical of the accuracy of ICP with this element as well. As previously mentioned if you are consistently getting readings of 1280 or above with Salifert you are likely around 1320 1350ish which is perfectly fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't know of a better choice. There's some comparison of kits here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/t...rt-elos-redsea-hanna-etc.222909/#post-2568684

 

[thisoldfish]

thanks- I was targeting 1320 but like you mention given the noncritical nature of mag concentration I think I'll just accept ballpark range

thanks all