Low Magnesium With H2Ocean Salt

[Wet Dreamer]

Hey, about a month ago there were some posts on people having low Magnesium levels after using instant ocean salt and I was having the same issues, my magnesium dropped to about 1000ppm, I was using IO reef crystals though. I ended up switching to H2Ocean salt after I had heard good things about it. In the mean time, I was supplementing Magnesium to bring it up, but it seems like I add so much, but it barely brings my Magnesium up at all. After several water changes and supplementing Magnesium, I could still barely get my mag levels above 1000ppm. After reading the posts about low magnesium that were on here, some people suggested mixing up fresh salt water and testing the magnesium that way, so that's what I did. I made sure the salt was thoroughly mixed, at the proper salinity and proper temp and tested(using my new Red Sea test kit) and it showed that the mag level was 1000ppm!! I made sure that the salt bucket was mixed properly before adding it too! So, here are a few questions:

1)Has anyone else had this issue with H2Ocean salt?
2)I know this is totally a personal opinion, but what is the best salt to use in a fairly heavily stocked(with coral, SPS,LPS)tank, as in which ones have the most elevated Calcium, Alk, and Mag levels?
3)What is the best supplement for raising Mag?
4)Do people find that the Red Sea test kits are generally accurate?

Thanks!

 

[downbeach]

I'll do the last question. I have been using these kits for a little over a year. I did a cost/accuracy comparison with my Salifert kits and found them to be very close in accuracy, but a lot more economical. The Mg test is the one that is a little bit of a PITA, because of the way you have to add the first reagent one drop at a time and mix for 15 seconds between drops. I can tell you that if you don't do them according to their instructions you can get incorrect results. Here is a video of the Mg test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MofaqM-I6uM

 

[aleggett321]

I have used H2Ocean salt that I buy premixed at my LFS. Over 2 years and my Mg is always stable at 1350.

 

[Wet Dreamer]

I'll do the last question. I have been using these kits for a little over a year. I did a cost/accuracy comparison with my Salifert kits and found them to be very close in accuracy, but a lot more economical. The Mg test is the one that is a little bit of a PITA, because of the way you have to add the first reagent one drop at a time and mix for 15 seconds between drops. I can tell you that if you don't do them according to their instructions you can get incorrect results. Here is a video of the Mg test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MofaqM-I6uM

Thanks for the reply, I watched this video, and I do the test exactly the way he describes. The only thing I noticed is that when I do the test, It seems that mine turns straight from pink to the blue end point in basically one drop, yet I see his took a few drops. Maybe I am mistaking purple for the blue, I didn't think so, but I will run the test again tonight to confirm!

 

[bertoni]

I use a DIY formula for magnesium, but the commercial supplements, except for SeaChem, seem to be fine. SeaChem is basically just magnesium sulfate (epsom salts).

Lots of people are successful with IO. Every salt seems to go through problem batches, though.

 

[WickedBlue28]

I got a 200 gallon box from Marine Depot, never had a problem with Mag before. I've never had to dose for it as WC alone with RC were enough. I have done a few water changes with the new box and the corals starting looking bad, a couple new frags RTN'd. Tested Mag tonight and it was 1260 salivert kit.
I guess I am one of those that got a bad batch

 

[Mekanic]

You may be mistaking purple for blue, I've done that on my RSP kits before.

 

[ampemployee1]

#2: IME, Salinity is the best salt mix, batch tested/guaranteed minimum levels of major + minor trace elements. My levels of Ca are 440 and Mg 1300-1350. I mix 10-15 gallons at a time in a green Rubbermaid 32 gallon container with a powerhead and do a 10% WC every 10 days.

 

[WickedBlue28]

You may be mistaking purple for blue, I've done that on my RSP kits before.

Nope it was purple then next drop blue. I've used the kit several times and always 1375 or so. I know 1275 isnt a very bad reading but off where it is with WC alone.

Glad I checked for it hopefully my SPS polyps will come back. I dont know what else it could me.

 

[bertoni]

1275 ppm for magnesium should be safe, assuming the kit is accurate. I'm not sure what's happening, but I definitely would watch the corals for a few days.