Question for the chemistry experts, or anyone else with this experience

[DiverGirl82]

I got the Red Sea Reef Foundation test kit yesterday and both yesterday and today my Mg tested a bit high at 1400. So I was looking around on Google about how to lower it when I found a post on another forum where someone said that his Mg was testing really high with the same test kit and he noticed a white film in the test bottle so he cleaned it out with a bit of vinegar. After that his Mg was testing considerably lower. Well I didn't see any white film in my bottle but I swished a little vinegar around in there anyways and dried it out then retested and it came back as 1320. So what I'm wondering is is the 1320 correct or could the vinegar cause a false lower reading?

I don't know if it matters but my CA and KH were both low at 370 and 7.3. I've ordered some supplements to get those numbers up and they should be here today. And my water right now is a mix of reef crystals (the regular one) and red sea coral pro. And the only critters in there are crabs and snails. Will be adding 2 mushrooms and 2 rock nems today.

Would love some insight on this as I'm not even remotely a chemist. Thanks

 

[DiverGirl82]

Oh yeah, and my salinity is 1.025

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Curious on why you are using two different salt mixes?

As for high Mg, I personally believe 1380-1400 is dead on perfect. I have hit Mg over 1500 a few times with no issues. The only way to reduce Mg is water changes (depending on your salt mix), and or letting it fall on its own through time.

Keep your Mg around 1380-1400 which is important on keeping your Ca and Kh in check.

 

[DiverGirl82]

Curious on why you are using two different salt mixes?

As for high Mg, I personally believe 1380-1400 is dead on perfect. I have hit Mg over 1500 a few times with no issues. The only way to reduce Mg is water changes (depending on your salt mix), and or letting it fall on its own through time.

Keep your Mg around 1380-1400 which is important on keeping your Ca and Kh in check.

When I initially bought my salt I went to my nearest lfs and all he had was instant ocean not the reef crystals but the regular one (didn't figure that part out till after I got home with it). I was feeling bad that I had been buying everything online and nothing from him so I bought it. And payed WAY too much. I only got enough to just fill the tank. So later I went to another lfs further away and he had the Red sea coral pro which was what I originally wanted. I figured if I was going to switch over from one salt to another now was the time while the tank was still in the beginning stages.

And thank you

 

[Squid]

As already stated 1400 is not too high. I've had mine at 2200 when I was dealing with bryopsis. Your fine at 1400 so stop worrying lol

 

[ReefMadScientist]

When I initially bought my salt I went to my nearest lfs and all he had was instant ocean not the reef crystals but the regular one (didn't figure that part out till after I got home with it). I was feeling bad that I had been buying everything online and nothing from him so I bought it. And payed WAY too much. I only got enough to just fill the tank. So later I went to another lfs further away and he had the Red sea coral pro which was what I originally wanted. I figured if I was going to switch over from one salt to another now was the time while the tank was still in the beginning stages.

And thank you

Ah gotcha. Yeah its better to switch earlier than later.

As for feeling bad for your LFS, I had that before. I too have overpaid for too much stuff but never again. They should feel bad for us due to their over-charged prices.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In terms of the test with deposits around the glass, I am not sure exactly why that has an effect, but it may relate to the titrant binding to those deposits, hence taking more.

I do not believe the vinegar will result in any interference as long as the glass is clean and dry.

That said, if you run the test twice without changing anything you might also see differences.

As folks point out, either value is fine, so in this case it doesn't really matter which is correct.

 

[DiverGirl82]

In terms of the test with deposits around the glass, I am not sure exactly why that has an effect, but it may relate to the titrant binding to those deposits, hence taking more.

I do not believe the vinegar will result in any interference as long as the glass is clean and dry.

That said, if you run the test twice without changing anything you might also see differences.

As folks point out, either value is fine, so in this case it doesn't really matter which is correct.

Thank you. I'm feeling better about putting my new goodies in today.