Water testing

wdahring · Dec 22, 2014

What would cause my magnesium to be through the roof ?
Sq 1.027
Ph 8.2
Kh 8ppm - 143.2
Cal. 480
Nitrates 5.0
Magnesium 1600
I have done several water changes in the last 4 weeks and it has not changed? The test kit is red sea magnesium pro and bit ia new?

mike007 · Dec 22, 2014

What salt mix are you using? Mag. at 1600 will pose not problems. Looks like all your other parameters are good.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 22, 2014

Unless you are dosing it, it came from the salt mix (assuming the kit is accurate).

prsnlty · Dec 22, 2014

Mg is ok at 1600. As Mike said, everything else looks fine also. Granted, it should be a bit lower but where it's at won't hurt. I wouldn't keep doing wc though as you can cause your tank to cycle again.

wdahring · Dec 22, 2014

I use reef crystals. Right I never thought of it cycling. I had been dowsing it because my test kit had been reading low but even with dosing it the kit was always reading low so I decided to get a new kit, the 1st and 2nd time I tested with the new kit it was normal 1300 and then bam through the roof. Do you think that the salt might be the problem?

prsnlty · Dec 22, 2014

Be sure you follow the instructions for mg exactly. And be sure you wait the FULL minute before adding the triation solution or it will give inaccurate results. This may be where your issue is.

wdahring · Dec 22, 2014

Ill 're test tomorrow and see how it goes

prsnlty · Dec 22, 2014

Sounds good. Let us know how it turns out

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 23, 2014

prsnlty said:
Mg is ok at 1600. As Mike said, everything else looks fine also. Granted, it should be a bit lower but where it's at won't hurt. I wouldn't keep doing wc though as you can cause your tank to cycle again.

Water changes cannot cause cycling. The bacteria that perform the nitrogen cycle are attached to surfaces such as live rock and so are not swept away in a water change.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 23, 2014

Unless you dosed really large amounts, it is probably the testing that is off.

Did you try testing the new salt water?

prsnlty · Dec 23, 2014

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Water changes cannot cause cycling. The bacteria that perform the nitrogen cycle are attached to surfaces such as live rock and so are not swept away in a water change.

Good to know Randy, thanks

Been told this and read it countless times here and several other forums and 20 year old info. Haven't purchased more recent media however... Learn something new every day

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 23, 2014

prsnlty said:
Good to know Randy, thanks Been told this and read it countless times here and several other forums and 20 year old info. Haven't purchased more recent media however... Learn something new every day

:thumb:

Happy Reefing.

joshbbert · Dec 28, 2014

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Water changes cannot cause cycling. The bacteria that perform the nitrogen cycle are attached to surfaces such as live rock and so are not swept away in a water change.

So does that mean im able to change out as much water as I see fit to? Say 50% or more?

rayn · Dec 28, 2014

Should be able to. Heck do 100% if you want, just don't let the rock dry out. Think of a qt tank, you can or should do as close to 100% water change for them and the bio filter is still in the hob filter pad.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 29, 2014

Yes.

joshbbert · Dec 29, 2014

rayn said:
Should be able to. Heck do 100% if you want, just don't let the rock dry out. Think of a qt tank, you can or should do as close to 100% water change for them and the bio filter is still in the hob filter pad.

Thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Yes.

wdahring · Jan 4, 2015

Ok sorry this has taken so long to up date I tested today
Sg 1.025
Magnesium ⬆ 1600
Cal 480
Ph 8.0
Kh 125.3 ⬇ just a little low
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 5.0
Phosphate 0.05