Mg not increasing

chemtig · Sep 19, 2015

I have read a few articals and questions on these threads but have not found an answer.

These are the stages for my aquarium water. City water (hardness 530ppm), Soft water system, RO system (0.5 ppm), DI cartridge (.01 ppm).

Now for the issue. I can not get the Mg level to increase. It is around 60 ppm. I have been adding 50 ml of Kent Marine tech M Magnesium morning and evening (100 ml/day) for about 12 days and have seen no increase. My Ca levels are good my KH levels are good pH perfect temperature around 81 degrees F. I am just at a lose as to explain it.

It is a 100 gal cube tank, 2 fish, small handful of coral, some crabs and a few snails.

Waters · Sep 19, 2015

What salt mix are you using? I find it hard to believe that your Magnesium is only 60...especially after dosing the Kent Marine Tech M. I would check the accuracy of your test kit?

Tahoe61 · Sep 19, 2015

Yes this sounds like test kit or user error. I would stop adding any magnesium until you nail down what is wrong with the testing method.

Pfisherman · Sep 19, 2015

i know this is off topic, but isnt it bad for your ro membrane or di resin to have it hooked up after your water softener?

Tahoe61 · Sep 19, 2015

Yeah I am little confused (nothing new) regarding that information as well. Have you tested the water saltwater that you preform water changes with. What test kit are you using?

JimWelsh · Sep 19, 2015

How are you testing for Mg? I concur that this is almost certainly some gross testing error of some kind.

bct15 · Sep 19, 2015

Your test kit is bad, have your water tested with a different kit.

ermartin · Sep 19, 2015

chemtig said:
I have read a few articals and questions on these threads but have not found an answer.

These are the stages for my aquarium water. City water (hardness 530ppm), Soft water system, RO system (0.5 ppm), DI cartridge (.01 ppm).

Now for the issue. I can not get the Mg level to increase. It is around 60 ppm. I have been adding 50 ml of Kent Marine tech M Magnesium morning and evening (100 ml/day) for about 12 days and have seen no increase. My Ca levels are good my KH levels are good pH perfect temperature around 81 degrees F. I am just at a lose as to explain it.

It is a 100 gal cube tank, 2 fish, small handful of coral, some crabs and a few snails.

I don't think this is possible. you need to take a sample to your LFS or ask a fellow reefer to test with there kit

chemtig · Sep 19, 2015

I am thinking the kit also and have one on order. Salifert. Other test kits are API. The way the Water is set up in this house, is ALL spigots in the house go through the softener. If I should not or cannot run my saltwater in these type of stages I will have to hook something outside. I doubt my wife will go for that

. I am using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. I have checked the parameters before adding salt and everything looks fine. I have a Kinetico water system. I was told, by them, that there was not an issue with their Soft Water going through their RO System. I would not know where else to ask questions about the system.

I do appreciate all the quick help I have received.

WindeyD · Sep 19, 2015

I use Reef Crystals and my calcium and magnesium consistently run high (500 and 1480) without any dosing.

scardall · Sep 19, 2015

Go to a LFS and have your magnesium checked.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 20, 2015

Pfisherman said:
i know this is off topic, but isnt it bad for your ro membrane or di resin to have it hooked up after your water softener?

No, that is actually better as it prevents calcium carbonate buildup on the membrane.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 20, 2015

FWIW, there is no possibility the magnesium is 50 ppm.

Are you sure you are not reading the kit backwards?

To get only 50 ppm it would take hardly any drops (maybe only 2) to get to the color change. If you added a lot, then it is not 50 ppm. Some people make that mistake.

chemtig · Sep 20, 2015

It was the test kit. The Mg level is about 1625. I am due for a water change so I will do that today, throw away the old test kit and cross my fingers. Thanks again for all the help. I had such a beautiful take in the high mountains of Colorado with almost no work, I move to Las Vegas and everything went to pot.