Water Test

[Donsreef]

Tested my water today results are:
DKH: 8.7 Aquaforest test kit
Cal: 460 Aquaforest test kit
Mag: 1500+ Aquaforest test kit. use all reagent in the syringe and no color change?
Phos: 0.31 Hanna Checker
Salinity: 36ppt Redsea seawater refractor (Calibrated @ 35ppt)
Last water change 03/06/18 10 gallons (Aquaforest Reef Salt)
I dose 5ml of BRS Alkalinity only nightly.
What do you think?
Water change is 10 gallons biweekly, waiting for my auto water change, so I can do 1/2 gallon water change daily.
The tank is mixed reef 36x20x20, Plan is to use Aquaforest 1,2,3.

 

[Mike Reef Addict]

Tested my water today results are:
DKH: 8.7 Aquaforest test kit
Cal: 460 Aquaforest test kit
Mag: 1500+ Aquaforest test kit. use all reagent in the syringe and no color change?
Phos: 0.31 Hanna Checker
Salinity: 36ppt Redsea seawater refractor (Calibrated @ 35ppt)
Last water change 03/06/18 10 gallons (Aquaforest Reef Salt)
I dose 5ml of BRS Alkalinity only nightly.
What do you think?
Water change is 10 gallons biweekly, waiting for my auto water change, so I can do 1/2 gallon water change daily.
The tank is mixed reef 36x20x20, Plan is to use Aquaforest 1,2,3.

Other than magnesium being high sounds like it's doing good.

 

[Yati]

I only clicked on this because you’re a broncos fan haha but as far as your parameters they’re a little out of sync of course the high mag which really wouldn’t hurt anything but your phosphates are a little high as well as the salinity is on the higher side as well... nothing a good water change couldn’t get back into balance.. Check the parameters in your salt mix...get your phosphates contained and you should be good

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Salinity is on the high end. Mag is fine. I've seen tanks as high as 1800 on mag to fight algae problem. Phosphate is high. Like stated not much to worry except phosphate.

 

[william.sting]

I'm writing up comments for the magnesium. The salt level is within range (34 - 36) for a reef aquarium. Just remember that being on the high side might be undesirable because the concentration will increase if water replacement doesn't keep pace with evaporation.

 

[Donsreef]

I'm writing up comments for the magnesium. The salt level is within range (34 - 36) for a reef aquarium. Just remember that being on the high side might be undesirable because the concentration will increase if water replacement doesn't keep pace with evaporation.

ATO working fine, I'll make adjustment

 

[Donsreef]

Salinity is on the high end. Mag is fine. I've seen tanks as high as 1800 on mag to fight algae problem. Phosphate is high. Like stated not much to worry except phosphate.

I have some Red Sea NO3O4-X should dose carefully to lower Phosphate. maybe a few ml a day?

 

[william.sting]

Assuming that the test result is correct, magnesium levels that high most likely won't hurt your animals. Unless there is a contamination source replenishing it, the levels should eventually fall back to those in your salt.

Is it possible that the test is in error? Try retesting. Have your LFS test a sample. Do they get the same results? If you are convinced the result is high, you can either wait and see what it does over time, or try to find the root cause and correct it.

If you decide to fix the problem. Do you know how it might have gotten elevated? Be sure magnesium isn't present in any of the additives you've used. Check to make sure magnesium isn't already high in the replacement water you use for water changes and topping off, and if it is work back to the source of the contamination. You can check your fish foods as a possible source as magnesium is commonly added to commercial preparations.

And finally, I saw this post about aqua forest sea salt:

"Anyone else here use Aquaforest Reef Salt? I have 3 buckets, all purchased at separate times (months apart), all reading 1680ppm magnesium on my Red Sea test kit, and off the charts (over 1500ppm) on my brand new Salifert test kit"

This implies your experience might be related to your salt brand. From the aqua forest site the magnesium for your mix should be 1300-1360 mg/l, so if related to the salt it doesn't appear to be by design. There is a good article on magnesium chemistry you should read if you want to learn more:

Aquarium Chemistry: Magnesium In Reef Aquaria, Advanced Aquarist, 2003 by
By Randy Holmes-Farley, Ph.D..

If your animals appear fine and if your parameters are stable, I wouldn't worry overly much about your current parameters.

 

[Donsreef]

Assuming that the test result is correct, magnesium levels that high most likely won't hurt your animals. Unless there is a contamination source replenishing it, the levels should eventually fall back to those in your salt.

Is it possible that the test is in error? Try retesting. Have your LFS test a sample. Do they get the same results? If you are convinced the result is high, you can either wait and see what it does over time, or try to find the root cause and correct it.

If you decide to fix the problem. Do you know how it might have gotten elevated? Be sure magnesium isn't present in any of the additives you've used. Check to make sure magnesium isn't already high in the replacement water you use for water changes and topping off, and if it is work back to the source of the contamination. You can check your fish foods as a possible source as magnesium is commonly added to commercial preparations.

And finally, I saw this post about aqua forest sea salt:

"Anyone else here use Aquaforest Reef Salt? I have 3 buckets, all purchased at separate times (months apart), all reading 1680ppm magnesium on my Red Sea test kit, and off the charts (over 1500ppm) on my brand new Salifert test kit"

This implies your experience might be related to your salt brand. From the aqua forest site the magnesium for your mix should be 1300-1360 mg/l, so if related to the salt it doesn't appear to be by design. There is a good article on magnesium chemistry you should read if you want to learn more:

Aquarium Chemistry: Magnesium In Reef Aquaria, Advanced Aquarist, 2003 by
By Randy Holmes-Farley, Ph.D..

If your animals appear fine and if your parameters are stable, I wouldn't worry overly much about your current parameters.

Thanks
I saw that article but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I going to retest mag and get post it. not dosing anything other then Alk.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have some Red Sea NO3O4-X should dose carefully to lower Phosphate. maybe a few ml a day?

Organic carbon dosing is not especially effective at reducing phosphate.

 

[Donsreef]

For feeding
1. Ocean Nutrition: Prime Reef Flakes once a week. It does have Mag in it
2. Reef-Roids once a week
3. LRS Reef Frenzy twice a week

 

[Donsreef]

Organic carbon dosing is not especially effective at reducing phosphate.

Okay
what do you suggest to reduce phosphate? I'm doing water changes.

 

[Donsreef]

Thanks
I saw that article but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I going to retest mag and get post it. not dosing anything other then Alk.

Okay, so retest was same results

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Water changes are not a good way. Even a 100% change won’t drop it way down due to phosphate bound to rock and sand that will then come off. Better ways are growing macroalgae, and binders like GFO, aluminum oxide, and lanthanum.

 

[william.sting]

So now either it's high, or the kit is reading high. It might have been advanced aquarist, but I once read an article on testing the test kids where they compared results from a bunch of attendees at a trade show. You could have someone else try your kit to see if they get the same result. You could also have your LRS test it.

IMO the reading is high. The fact that at least one other individual has experienced similarly elevated magnesium results using a different brand testing kit on multiple samples from water prepared using Aquaforest Reef Salt is an odd coincidence. I wouldn't waste further test reagents from my kit on additional sampling. I might get it tested at my local store and then send an enquiry to the manufacturer to get an explanation. Perhaps they increased their magnesium target without updating their website. The average consumer isn't going to ever notice.

.

 

[reeferdon]

So now either it's high, or the kit is reading high. It might have been advanced aquarist, but I once read an article on testing the test kids where they compared results from a bunch of attendees at a trade show. You could have someone else try your kit to see if they get the same result. You could also have your LRS test it.

IMO the reading is high. The fact that at least one other individual has experienced similarly elevated magnesium results using a different brand testing kit on multiple samples from water prepared using Aquaforest Reef Salt is an odd coincidence. I wouldn't waste further test reagents from my kit on additional sampling. I might get it tested at my local store and then send an enquiry to the manufacturer to get an explanation. Perhaps they increased their magnesium target without updating their website. The average consumer isn't going to ever notice.

.

No LFS near here. Only option is to order another type of test kit. Not sure what to do at this moment.

 

[william.sting]

It occurred to me last night, that I wasn't sure whether out not you tested the mixed water before adding it to your tank.

I would suggest contacting the company. It's up to you whether you test a sample of water carefully mixed according to their instructions. Tell them what the mix instructions say the concentration is supposed to be, and then tell them that two separate test kits used by completely separate individuals on completely separate batches indicated concentrations of magnesium closer to 1600 on average. I'd be curious to know what their explanation is and what they would recommend doing about it. They're providing you with what should be a carefully formulated and manufactured product. If one constituent is off by that much, it makes you wonder what their ranges are on the others. For example, some freshly mixed salt mixed have tested high in phosphate before.

So that's what I would probably do, since the cost in time and materials is insignificant relative to the time and money I spend in this hobby. Not to mention that I feel a moral obligation to give my animals the best care I'm capable of giving them.

Still, if you aren't having any problems, and if you don't see any signs that your animals are being harmed, I think it's fine to wait and see. Perhaps switching brands gradually to an alternative. I'm sure you're as reluctant as I wound be to waste expensive salt. Good luck with this!

The fact that you're being cautious here is a strong indicator that you're going to be a very successful reef aquarist.

 

[rkpetersen]

Check your magnesium level with the Salifert test kit. It's quite accurate with a clear endpoint. Also, if you haven't reached the endpoint when the syringe hits zero, you can refill it and continue the titration; extend the table beyond 1500 to determine your total mag (this may apply to the Aquaforest test also, I haven't used it.)

If you want to bring that phosphate down fairly quickly, but not dramatically fast, I'd say that a small quantity of GFO in a reactor is your best bet. Algae scrubber is safer but slower, lanthanum is faster but riskier, I personally wouldn't use aluminum.

 

[Donsreef]

Check your magnesium level with the Salifert test kit. It's quite accurate with a clear endpoint. Also, if you haven't reached the endpoint when the syringe hits zero, you can refill it and continue the titration; extend the table beyond 1500 to determine your total mag (this may apply to the Aquaforest test also, I haven't used it.)

If you want to bring that phosphate down fairly quickly, but not dramatically fast, I'd say that a small quantity of GFO in a reactor is your best bet. Algae scrubber is safer but slower, lanthanum is faster but riskier, I personally wouldn't use aluminum.

I'm gonna test tomorrow.
I have the skimz algae reactor going for about 3 weeks now but no growth yet, light on 12 hours after the main tank lights go off. flow through the reactor is good.