Okay, another paramete question

[gflat65]

I was finally able to pick up a Mg test kit, too (every time I've ordered one, they are on back order and never get shipped, so I got lazy about looking). I added something once at less than half recommended dosage and frequency about a year ago, but when I ran out, I didn't add anything more. Aside from that, I've never added anything for Mg. I just tested all four systems that matter and all were in the 300-350 range. Is that likely? I've been noticing some very slow recession from th ebottom up over the last couple of months, but my alk and Ca aren't too out of whack (alk/dKH is a bit high at 13, and CA a bit low at around 375). I've had constant prioblems keeping them in line, which seems to follow low Mg, too, for a long time. Could my Mg actually be that low with years with no supplementation? If I were at 600, it would be bad, but I'd not think twice about it. At 300, I just want to make sure it is practically likely.

 

[crumbletop]

Could be, Gary. I know C_stowers started having all kinds of trouble with his tank when his Mg was way low. In the beginning he was surprised by the result and had me double check with my test kit. I use Seachem for Mg, so we verified with a diff manufacturer and test method. Maybe someone around you locally has a mg test kit and you can double check your #'s.

I'd correct that Mg, if I were you. Probably not too fast, but I'd get it up around 1200.

 

[gflat65]

I added a little already today (DT Marine Mg supplement from the ETRC swap-I got about 5 bottles. I was shocked when i saw it, and every tank I have showed in the same range. I'll see if anyone local has a Mg test kit and see if I can get a verification. It being extremely low would definitely answer some questions for me.

 

[crumbletop]

Well, I haven't heard of any problems with high Mg, so even if your test kit is a bit off, adding more Mg should be fine. Especially in the setting of having not added much at all for quite some time. Your coraline and stonies will thank you for the Mg -- as will your Ca and Alk

 

[DMBillies]

jeez... 300 is really low. As Jack said, it usually can't hurt to add more (I think Mg would have to be really high to get you TOO high), but like you I'd be looking for a confirmation.

You aren't subtracting the number are you? I assume this is Salifert? If it is, and you reading on the syringe is .20 when you're done, then your Mg really is 1200. If you're subtracting that from 1.00, then you're looking on the table at .80 and that would give you a Mg reading of 300. 1200 sounds more reasonable for an Mg reading assuming you do semi-regular water changes. You could still raise 1200 a little, but you won't need to bring it up from 300.

 

[gflat65]

Dadgummit. I'm not used to things being dumbed down... I saw in the instructions to subtract the remnants from 1, so I thought that was right. I just went back and checked it and to calculate it yourself, you subtract from 1 and multiply by 1500 (otherwise, you read directly...). I need to recheck Ca now, too, since I misread it the same way. I'm not used to having a test kit hold my hand. The LaMotte test kits have to be calculated, and I had to hunt down conversions for the Alk kit to make it mean something to me (gives ppm). I'll stop making things harder than they should be one of these days.

 

[DMBillies]

At least you figured it out before you did something really stupid...

I haven't had lamotte, but I like the salifert kits and they are pretty easy to use once you get used to them. I feel like I get pretty consistent readings with them when I take tests closer together and I haven't had any real bad misreads that I'm aware of aside from accidentally dropping an extra drop or something (which of course I knew when it happened).