So I am starting to think that my red sea mag test isn't very accurate at all. When I first got it, it seemed to be accurate, I noticed correct changing results when I was manually dosing mag to raise it up to proper levels. Then after the last dose. Which was about 2 drops of esv mag. (Not a lot) my test read off the chart, which looked like it would be about 1800!. I tested and re test and did the test to a T per directions. Cleaned everything out every time. Still 1800. So I tried testing new fresh saltwater, IO purple, basic salt. That tested 1600 mag. Now I think that can't be right. Test is well within exp date. Any ideas why this could be reading wrong. Or is this a correct reading. (Fwiw my cyano got significantly worse after I started to raise mag up, could be unrelated.) All help is appreciated.
Red sea magnesium test, accurate?
- Thread starter Nick92515
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Joeganja
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Whenever i test i always like to use two different branded test kits for example i use red sea and salifert to compare results. Salifert has been in the business for years and everyone always has positive reviews and seems very dependable, where red sea has good reviews also but also has hits and misses. If i were you id get another test kit just to compare.
twilliard
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A true value of magnesium can be obtained through triton
http://www.triton-lab.de
That is the best comparison
http://www.triton-lab.de
That is the best comparison
FL_Reefer
Valuable Member
The Red Sea mag test is very precise to preform. Have double tested to make sure there wasn't and error? Also the range on that test is pretty broad. There are some big gaps between the numbers. If that is all the mag that you added then I would lean towards a testing error on either both sides. Either the first time you did it or the later. I always preform two tests and if they come up different then I keep testing because I know I messed something up. Make sure you follow that test to the T cause time is very important on this one. Hope this helps you out.
55 gallon, I think it may be the test. Considering the reading I got on fresh mixed sw. I will test again I guess, fresh salt water and tank water. Fresh should be about 1400 I belive. And I got 1600..
FL_Reefer
Valuable Member
I've been there with this test way back when I started using it. I got crazy numbers but realized it was my fault. I have to write down how many drops I add and I even use a timer for between drops just because I loose count. Lol
Breakthecycle2
2500 Club Member
For some reason, I don't believe they are. Every single time I test it, it says my MAG is 1600..every time. Every other kit, including LFS test, 1350.
Breakthecycle2
2500 Club Member
The kit.
Ok sooooo, got a salifert test kit. And my readding is still not where it should be. I use all of the reagent and it doesn't change colors, which tells me a reading of higher than the chart. So I did it a few times same thing.
Tested some rodi and it turned blue before I put any reagent in, which tells me it's a good test.
Don't have any fresh saltwater to test at the time.
Tested some rodi and it turned blue before I put any reagent in, which tells me it's a good test.
Don't have any fresh saltwater to test at the time.
One thing I noticed is my instructions differ from the ones on marine depots website. Theirs state 3 ml water and 6 drops. Mine say 2ml and 5 drops. I know they have changed over the years but it something that I noticed.
