Very Low Magnesium and Alkalinity

[SiD]

Hi All
The test results came out with Mg = 30 ppm ( tested thrice) , Alkalinity = 6.4 dkh, Calcium = 480 ppm, Nitrate = 20 ppm. All other parameter are normal. Tested with Salifert.
Tank is 320 litre, mainly fishes, invertebrates and few soft corals. I dose Pro Bio S, NP pro and Lanthanum (1 ml) every day as my Phosphate and Nitrate were on higher sides few months back. Now Phosphate is 0.03 ppm.
What should I do? Pls help as I am planning to add a Sun Coral shortly .

Regards
Sid

 

[DeniableArc]

Hi All
The test results came out with Mg = 30 ppm ( tested thrice) , Alkalinity = 6.4 dkh, Calcium = 480 ppm, Nitrate = 20 ppm. All other parameter are normal. Tested with Salifert.
Tank is 320 litre, mainly fishes, invertebrates and few soft corals. I dose Pro Bio S, NP pro and Lanthanum (1 ml) every day as my Phosphate and Nitrate were on higher sides few months back. Now Phosphate is 0.03 ppm.
What should I do? Pls help as I am planning to add a Sun Coral shortly .

Regards
Sid

Testing error 100% what test kit did you use for mag?

 

[Deep]

Agree testing error for Mg otherwise all Alk and Calcium would have precipitated, you need a new test kit.

 

[SiD]

Testing error 100% what test kit did you use for mag?

Salifert

 

[Deep]

Salifert

What was the reading on the syringe ? 30 ppm on the salifert test kit, means your reading on the syringe plunger must have been 0.98. Which means the colour change happened without adding any of the reagent. Is that what happened ?

 

[SiD]

What was the reading on the syringe ? 30 ppm on the salifert test kit, means your reading on the syringe plunger must have been 0.98. Which means the colour change happened without adding any of the reagent. Is that what happened ?

It read 1 when the colour changed. FYI I have taken out around 20 litres water and added water with higher salinity around 1.03 using Aquaforest reef salt. The mg now measures 450 ppm with the same test kit. I am absolutely lost of what is happening.

 

[Deep]

It read 1 when the colour changed. FYI I have taken out around 20 litres water and added water with higher salinity around 1.03 using Aquaforest reef salt. The mg now measures 450 ppm with the same test kit. I am absolutely lost of what is happening.

if it read 1, then the colour changed without adding any reagent ? the syringe is 1.0 ml. So if you even add one drop it will be less than 1.
I think you are reading the syringe incorrectly.

 

[redeyejedi]

Also agree its a testing error.

 

[SiD]

if it read 1, then the colour changed without adding any reagent ? the syringe is 1.0 ml. So if you even add one drop it will be less than 1.
I think you are reading the syringe incorrectly.

Please read it as 0.1 ....my mistake

 

[Deep]

Please read it as 0.1 ....my mistake

Great,so your magnesium is 1350. Problem Solved.

 

[SiD]

Great,so your magnesium is 1350. Problem Solved.

What about Alkalinity at 7 dkh? The syringe read 0.52.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That alkalinity value is fine too.