Newbie question regarding MG

[Bryce_]

Hey guys. I think this is my first post.

I have a 55 gallon reef that has been setup since October 1st 2015

Heres my question

Test kits
Red Sea (calc, KH, MG)
API (calc, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate)

Ammonia= Undectable
Nitrite= " "
Nitrates= Below 5ppm and most times Undectable
Calcium- 440ppm
Alk= Between 9.0 - 9.8
Magnesium ( red sea test ) 1800 I understand that is very high. I have read that in order for calcium and alk to be in good ranges Magnesium needs to be within spec. 1200-1500. My guess maybe is an inaccurate test.

I have about 10 corals. Mixed between zoas and lps.

Any help would be appreciated.

Im also setting up a 110g tall with 20g eshopps rs100. Still waiting on cycle.

Thanks guys and gals.

 

[gone fishin]

If your not adding magnesium then I would suspect maybe the test or an error in performing the test.

What type of salt are you using?

 

[thegrun]

What brand of salt are you using? Some of the reef type salts are high in magnesium and if you have little demand in the tank for magnesium it will slowly rise over time with water changes. You also need to follow the Red Sea magnesium test instructions very closely or it will not be accurate. I made a few comparisons of different brands of magnesium test kits and I always got readings that were about 100 ppm high on magnesium compared to other brands.
BTW 1800 ppm is really not going to be a problem, yes it would be better at 1350 but if it stabilizes at 1800 I would not worry about it. You may need to switch away from a reef salt mix if you are using one.

 

[Bryce_]

Thanks for the quick replies. I was using the IO non reef salt and just did a water change with the coral life salt. Should I continue my switch to CL or stay with IO?




Edit***

I am using Purple up and Coral Vite once a week. I see they both have MG in them. I feel dumb now.

 

[jminick2]

make sure you are shaking the vial 1 minute in between drops

 

[CStrickland]

I am using Purple up and Coral Vite once a week. I see they both have MG in them. I feel dumb now.

Not dumb, that's a common mistake.
It's much better to tailor the dose to your tank. If you back off on the additives, which are mostly a scam anyway, your tank will settle out to a standard rate of consumption according to your maintenance schedule. Then you can decide what needs adding/tweaking. Like, if at the end of a normal week you are 3dkh too low in alk, you can add that to keep it steady where you want. Or if you are only changing the water everyother week, and everything is low - maybe upgrade your salt or do weekly changes.

Either way, it's better to figure out what the tank needs first, and then provide it. And if you can't test for it, don't dose it.

 

[CStrickland]

make sure you are shaking the vial 1 minute in between drops

Why?
The directions don't say to do that

 

[jminick2]

Why?
The directions don't say to do that

pretty sure it says add 1 drop shake for 60 sec and repeat 6x

 

[jminick2]

dbl post

 

[CStrickland]

pretty sure it says add 1 drop shake for 60 sec and repeat 6x

The Red Sea mag test?

1. Using the large syringe provided, place exactly 2 ml of the water to be tested into the glass vial.
2. Add 5 drops of Mg Pro Reagent A, shaking the vial for 15 seconds after each drop.
3. Add 5 drops of Mg Pro Reagent B and mix the reagent gently with the water sample.
4. Screw the glass vial onto the bottom of the Titrator and wait for approx 60 seconds forthe test sample to obtain the titration start color as shown on the instruction card. A precipitate will form on the bottom of the vial.
5. Ensure that the dispensing tip is on the 1 ml titration syringe and ll with 1ml of Magnesium Pro Titrant (C). [see note for fI lling titration syringe.]
6. Insert the syringe into the center of the Titrator so that the volumetric scale on the side of the syringe is visible. The graduations of the volumetric scale are 0.01 ml, equivalent to 20 ppm of magnesium.
7. Add the rst 0.4 ml of titrant (equivalent to 800ppm of magnesium) by pressing the plunger of the syringe while gently swirling the Titrator. Continue adding the titrant gradually, swirling the Titrator after each addition and paying attention to the color in the vial. As the color in the vial approaches the end color as shown on the instruction card, add one drop at a time, swirling after each drop, until the blue end color is rst achieved.

http://5w56d28u4co20frgwagf5y18.wpe...E_.FR_.SE_.NL_.SP_.IT_.PT_.JP_.CH_.HB_14A.pdf

 

[jminick2]

15 seconds then I couldn't remember, thanks

 

[jminick2]

It's a step I overlooked when I first used it I added the 5 drops all at once

 

[gone fishin]

Thanks for the quick replies. I was using the IO non reef salt and just did a water change with the coral life salt. Should I continue my switch to CL or stay with IO?




Edit***

I am using Purple up and Coral Vite once a week. I see they both have MG in them. I feel dumb now.

I would stop using the additives for a bit and see where the Mg ends up at. It may take a while for the Mg to go down it is not used up at fast rate. Many of these additives contain things that if not tested for can up your levels. Good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[Sk8r]

Water changes will help knock that down.