MG level won't rise?

dickie89 · Apr 10, 2015

Hi guys Ive tried topping up my magnesium all day on the salifert test it's coming up 1200
But on Red Sea it's not moving from 880 ppm.

Quiet frankly am sick to the back teeth because it just doesn't seem to be moving in the direction, does anyone know why it's not moving up?
Thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 10, 2015

I don't believe the 880 ppm can be correct, but in general, it takes a huge amount of additive to boost magnesium.

Are you using a calculator to determine the dose?

dickie89 · Apr 10, 2015

Hi randy I just seen the calculator for instance if I want it from 1200 to 1350 it recommends this amount123.9 tsps, if I'm correct it's telling me I need that many table spoons? and how often would I pour it into the sump to get the level up?

Also I can't get my head round the Red Sea test surely it can't be right, but what test should I go off salifert?

Thanks
Richard

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 10, 2015

tsp is a teaspoon, but yes, you need a lot.

Dissolve it in fresh water first, and add to a sump to boost it by maybe 50 ppm each day for a few days if you want a big boost.

No one is going to have 880 ppm magnesium in any ordinary reef tank at normal salinity using a good quality salt mix.

dickie89 · Apr 11, 2015

My sanlinity is at 1.023 at the minute, I just seem to be having problems with it all since the skimmer packed in and then the sump flooded due to water just over flowing, but the magnesium seems to be rising will keep on top of it also. Cheers

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 11, 2015

If you boost the specific gravity from 1.023 to 1.0264 (matching natural salt water average salinity in the ocean), the magnesium will rise from, say, 1133 to 1300 ppm.