Magnesium

[LetItReef]

Hello,

I am using Red sea blue bucket and Mag level is 1200 after WC. I dosed 40ml with ESV and that brings it to 1260, then after 2 days it drops again to 1200. Is this normal?
I keep my Alk at 8.3 also using ESV. Calcium around 390-410 not dosing.
All Salifert test kit.

Thank you.

 

[DLHDesign]

Most magnesium kits have a +/- of 20 (or more), so the numbers you are seeing could mostly be testing variation.

Magnesium is used in calcification, mostly. So if it's dropping, then something is likely growing. If you are seeing good coraline algae growth, for example, that could account for the drop.
Note that 1200 or 1260 is on the low end of the generally desired level. 1250-1500 is usually the Mg range desired.

 

[LetItReef]

Agree! My Mag is on the low level and would like to keep it stable atleast above 1300 but that would take alot of dosing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hello,

I am using Red sea blue bucket and Mag level is 1200 after WC. I dosed 40ml with ESV and that brings it to 1260, then after 2 days it drops again to 1200. Is this normal?
I keep my Alk at 8.3 also using ESV. Calcium around 390-410 not dosing.
All Salifert test kit.

Thank you.

Can only be test error. Mangesium cannot drop 60 ppm in 2 days (except by water change or a big decrease in salinity).

 

[LetItReef]

Can only be test error. Mangesium cannot drop 60 ppm in 2 days (except by water change or a big decrease in salinity).

Agree! It can't be that fast on Mag consumption. I have to get a new test kit although it expires 02/2020.