Salifert Magnesium test readings

[A Toadstool Leather]

I recently bought a new mg test kit since my old one ran out. However when I try to run the titration the color does not change at all. Is the magnesium level somehow beyond readable levels? My calcium is at 430ppm if that helps. I was dosing magnesium, but then stopped a few weeks ago.

 

[Jason mack]

The ratio of Calc too mag is roughly 3-1 so if Calc is 430 then mag would be 1290 , when using the saliferts tests , fill the syringe with the reagent , the top of the black plunger wants too be at 1ml mark there will be an air bubble in it still , the air bubble needs too be at the 8.5 mark on the syringe(this applies too all saliferts tests), sometimes it takes a few times of filling and emptying too achieve this , but if done this way will reduce false testing readings because you will be starting at a set point everytime , if you use a full 1ml of reagent then mag would be 1500 , if it’s still not changed color , then refill the syringe as before and add too it changes , add both results together too get your total ,
Hope this helps a little , having high mag is not such a problem in the short term so don’t panic !
Let us know your new results and we will go from there !
Mack !

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

The ratio of Calc too mag is roughly 3-1 so if Calc is 430 then mag would be 1290 , when using the saliferts tests , fill the syringe with the reagent , the top of the black plunger wants too be at 1ml mark there will be an air bubble in it still , the air bubble needs too be at the 8.5 mark on the syringe(this applies too all saliferts tests), sometimes it takes a few times of filling and emptying too achieve this , but if done this way will reduce false testing readings because you will be starting at a set point everytime , if you use a full 1ml of reagent then mag would be 1500 , if it’s still not changed color , then refill the syringe as before and add too it changes , add both results together too get your total ,
Hope this helps a little , having high mag is not such a problem in the short term so don’t panic !
Let us know your new results and we will go from there !
Mack !

Thanks for the tip! I do the 1ml with the plunger but the 8.5ml for the air bubble makes sense. What I hate about them is the numbers wear off the syringe so easy.

 

[Waters]

Thanks for the tip! I do the 1ml with the plunger but the 8.5ml for the air bubble makes sense. What I hate about them is the numbers wear off the syringe so easy.

Man you aren't kidding......I am so careful with those syringes, and after a couple of weeks they are useless.

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

Man you aren't kidding......I am so careful with those syringes, and after a couple of weeks they are useless.

Yeah you'd expect more from a $25 test kit! I only stick the tip im the reagent 3 nothing on the syringe at all no saltwater nothing just the oils from my hand? I don't get it! I'm going to order some 1ml monojects off the interwebs this week.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I recently bought a new mg test kit since my old one ran out. However when I try to run the titration the color does not change at all. Is the magnesium level somehow beyond readable levels? My calcium is at 430ppm if that helps. I was dosing magnesium, but then stopped a few weeks ago.

Yes, the magnesium can be a bit higher than the endpoint of the kit. Use a second syringe to get to the endpoint and just add the two syringe values together.

If you never get tot he endpoint after 2 syringes full, something is wrong with the kit or the way you are using it.

 

[Jason mack]

Yeah you'd expect more from a $25 test kit! I only stick the tip im the reagent 3 nothing on the syringe at all no saltwater nothing just the oils from my hand? I don't get it! I'm going to order some 1ml monojects off the interwebs this week.

Mike , will you share the link for those monojects please !!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The ratio of Calc too mag is roughly 3-1 so if Calc is 430 then mag would be 1290 , !

I'm not sure the point of saying this. Salt mixes and dosing/consumption vary so much, that even if that information was true for NSW, there's no reason to assume it is true for a real reef tank. Often it is not.

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

Mike , will you share the link for those monojects please !!

Still looking for MJ but I found these blunt tipped ones on ebay for $8.19 a 10 pack. Omw to work I'll look at Tractor supply later.

https://www.ebay.com/i/272431484126...3D711-117182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D1481374165872

PS I already had it copied lol

 

[AllTheCorals]

Thanks for the tip! I do the 1ml with the plunger but the 8.5ml for the air bubble makes sense. What I hate about them is the numbers wear off the syringe so easy.

I use a strip of packing tape on all my syringes. Been doing it for years and it works very well.

 

[Jason mack]

I'm not sure the point of saying this. Salt mixes and dosing/consumption vary so much, that even if that information was true for NSW, there's no reason to assume it is true for a real reef tank. Often it is not.

Then I stand corrected !. And this is how we learn .....

 

[SMB]

Have the LFS run a sample? Or a SW friend with another kit.

 

[rosshamsandwich]

keep addint more above the 1500 ppm each drop is 30 ppm

 

[Reef Jeff]

You can get 100 of the 1 ml slip tip syringes for $12.95 at https://www.healthykin.com/p-3031-bd-syringes-without-needles.aspx?keyword=309659.

The above fit the Red Sea and Salifert kits perfectly.

 

[Saltyanimals]

This may be obvious to most of you but I remember my rookie mistake with the test kits. I didn’t use the pink tips that came with the salfiert kits. Some reason the first one I got didn’t come with one so I used without. And without it I had off the scale numbers. Once I used the tips it was back in range. I don’t think it’s about only controlling the precision of the drops.

 

[Reef Jeff]

This may be obvious to most of you but I remember my rookie mistake with the test kits. I didn’t use the pink tips that came with the salfiert kits. Some reason the first one I got didn’t come with one so I used without. And without it I had off the scale numbers. Once I used the tips it was back in range. I don’t think it’s about only controlling the precision of the drops.

Yep, the tips are critical to reducing drop size. The smaller the drop, the more precise the reading. Using the syringe without the tip means a huge drop that can go two increments on the scale which translates to imprecise final result. Fortunately the tips don’t wear out like the numbers wear off the syring so you can use those over and over again.

 

[shred5]

Do you have your old test kit still? I would test it with that or find a friend or lfs.
I always order a new test kit before my last runs out so I can test one against the other. I have had so many Salifert test kits bad I do not even trust them anymore. Some were so off they could nuke a tank.

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

I use a strip of packing tape on all my syringes. Been doing it for years and it works very well.

Dude that is genious! We reefers are some creative resourceful folks! I have all kinds of syringes at home I cultivate fungi too so I use 10ml and 5ml syringes a lot funny i was in the shop at work where we have them for glue too but not a one 1ml on hand! I'm going to order some and use your idea! Thanks for the tip.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This may be obvious to most of you but I remember my rookie mistake with the test kits. I didn’t use the pink tips that came with the salfiert kits. Some reason the first one I got didn’t come with one so I used without. And without it I had off the scale numbers. Once I used the tips it was back in range. I don’t think it’s about only controlling the precision of the drops.

Assuming you are using the syringe correctly (added tip or not), it should be just the precision that changes.

You might read this Reef Chemistry question of the day to be sure you are using them right:

Reef Chemistry Question of the Day 161 Using a Syringe
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reef-chemistry-question-of-the-day-161-using-a-syringe.226267/

 

[Abdullah Al Faruq]

Since i am facing the same situation with Salifert Mg kit, I did add up 1500ppm(1st reading) with 285ppm(2nd reading), both done in the same solution. Now, do I have to find the mean value of the total(1785ppm)? If so, my Mg ends up being 892.5ppm. Your kind inputs on this???

{My Salifert Ca= 445ppm
&
Salifert Alk= 7.15dKH
&
Salinity=30ppt(Aquaforest sea salt}