Big 3 Balance

[alf1096]

I have a 65 gal tank and just got my Red Sea test kit in. I have the following numbers.

Alk 9.1
Cal 450
Mag 1600 best I could tell

I know the alk and cal are about right but don't know why my mag is so high. I used to add purple up but have not in probably a month. I use Red Sea pro salt and change out 5 gal a week. Is my mag ok or do I need to do something to treat it. Just added my first sps and clam today.

Thanks

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

It'll come down on it's own. Just don't add any more purple up.

 

[DSMpunk]

Ive kept my Mg in the 1500-1600 range for years without any (noticeable) effect.

 

[alf1096]

I guess the purple up is what caused it. I can't imagine the salt being that high.

 

[jrozzi]

thought purple up was just calcium

 

[rfgonzo]

As stated above give it time it'll drop back down.

 

[ViktorVaughn]

Not sure if the companies have re-formulated their salt mixes as this thread is five years old but I really found this list helpful when trying to find a salt that mixes up to levels near where I keep my tanks parameters at. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1714505

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Many people have reported that the Red Sea magneisum kit reads very high, so I would not assume it actually is that high.

 

[downbeach]

You might want to check your testing procedure, the Mg test is a little difficult to get used to at first. If you don't mix each of the 5 drops of reagent 'A' for 15 seconds between each drop, you'll get poor results. Here is some demo's of the test procedures:

Mg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NSGs6j-iXg
Ca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfkMMj7eM2Q
Alk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnGJe4WeNxQ

 

[alf1096]

I did the test right it was the color change that was difficult to tell for me.

 

[SandyPup]

Many people have reported that the Red Sea magneisum kit reads very high, so I would not assume it actually is that high.

I use the Red Sea Foundation test kit too, and my Mag always reads way high (1540-1600) and I have never dosed Mag, just WC with Reef Crystals and RO/DI:strange:

 

[Red Eyed Reefer]

I use the Red Sea Foundation test kit too, and my Mag always reads way high (1540-1600) and I have never dosed Mag, just WC with Reef Crystals and RO/DI:strange:

Hmm, I have been getting 1600+ for Mag with my Red Sea kit as well.. but I actually MAY have a reason for it (dosing mishap).

But still good to know for future reference..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, you'd need a big dosing mishap to boost magnesium by 300 ppm.

To a 100 gallon system, you'd have to add 1.6 Liters of Kent's Tech M product.

 

[Red Eyed Reefer]

FWIW, you'd need a big dosing mishap to boost magnesium by 300 ppm.

To a 100 gallon system, you'd have to add 1.6 Liters of Kent's Tech M product.

You sir, are correct lol. I did the math real quick and to do a 300 ppm increase with the Red Sea Foundation ABC+ (powder)

I would need to dose ~1800 grams for my system. OR roughly just under 4 pounds of the stuff :facepalm:

I just didn't want to jump right in and say that the Red Sea Mag tests do/can read high