Should I be testing magnesium levels in my tank?

[TonyOrlando]

I wanted to know how important it is to test for magnesium in my tank and are there any other tests that i should perform?
I currently test my Nitrate, Nitrite, Amonia, PH, Calcium, Alk, Phosphates, and Salinity. Ive never added any magnesium supplements to my water either.
My tank is a 72 gallon reef with several fish, inverts, and soft and lps, zoas, and 1 sps.

 

[SDguy]

Mg levels should be about 1300ppm or higher. Lower...you can have problems keeping ca/alk up. I check mine about once a month.

 

[TonyOrlando]

What do you dose with? What type? and are there othter supplements i should add, besides the ones that i mentioned above that im already dosing?

 

[TonyOrlando]

By the way, love the tank man!!! Way cool

 

[Bebo77]

i test alk, ca and mg 2 times a week... i use salifert test kits, there are dozens off additives you can use to dose your tank.

 

[TonyOrlando]

Wow Bebo77, i just looked at all your pics and threads. That is something to achieve. Way to go!

 

[Bebo77]

thanks man... its always a work in progress.. lol

 

[jen bee]

i test alk , calc and mag every sat morn, dosing kalk i dont have to add much more than mag, i use esv

 

[DrBegalke]

i dont routinely test for Mg2++, maybe once every 6 months, or if i'm having trouble keeping Ca2++/alk up.

 

[reefkoi]

I test it every couple weeks and maintain the level with ESV mag. I buy it by the 5 gallons for around $75 i think.
It works great.
I use a Elos test kit, It is easy to use and read, I love Elos test kits!

 

[Paintbug]

i check my mag when i have problems with getting my calc above 380. the calcium levels are a good sign of you mag levels. using a good salt, and keeping up with your water changes, usually keeps plenty of mag in the water. if i do dose mag i use epson salts for a mag supplement.

 

[TonyOrlando]

Thanks for all the feedback guys!!!