Red sea magnesium test, accurate?

Nick92515 · Jul 30, 2016

Ok, just mixed some fresh water. Still a reading off the chart!!! Maybe a bad salt.. hmm

fishboy11 · Jul 30, 2016

I found the Red Sea mag test to be accurate. However, you must make sure the vial you are using is absolutely clean, especially for the mag test. Residue will remain in the vial if you don't and significantly raise the test results. I use RO water and a brush, and then a cloth to dry

reeferfoxx · Jul 30, 2016

Make sure when testing magnesium, don't add 3/4 regent to test water. I noticed when doing mag tests, that if I applied 75% regent(thinking it wouldn't be that low in mag) I never got a reading for my magnesium test.

It might be tedious, but make sure you apply 1 or 2 drops at a time and mix the test. See if that helps.

Nick92515 · Jul 30, 2016

Ok I will try that. I'm definitely guilty of emptying half the vial then going drop by drop after that. But for Cal and alk that method never altered my readings.

reeferfoxx · Jul 30, 2016

Nick92515 said:
Ok I will try that. I'm definitely guilty of emptying half the vial then going drop by drop after that. But for Cal and alk that method never altered my readings.

Agreed. I have no issues doing that with other tests.

Nick92515 · Jul 30, 2016

Ok I tried that with the salifert test, which seems to be the more popular choice than red sea. Same results.

reeferfoxx · Jul 30, 2016

It's possible you have a bad batch of salt mix.

Nick92515 · Jul 30, 2016

That's what I'm thinking.. it's the io purple. But it's the last bag. I may order some more and see. I can't think of any other possibilities. Weird that the other levels are fine tho.

reeferfoxx · Jul 30, 2016

Nick92515 said:
That's what I'm thinking.. it's the io purple. But it's the last bag. I may order some more and see. I can't think of any other possibilities. Weird that the other levels are fine tho.

I've seen others have extremely high magnesium in bad batches of salt mix. I have a batch of salt that is higher than manufactures numbers. Not extreme like yours but high enough for my liking.