Testing for Mag, Ca and KH/Alk

Ab129

Ab129

Member
So to quickly recap my situation, I had a BTA and several frags that were all doing great for the first month and then things went south for about a month.
Now everything seems to be coming back slowly so that's cool.
I just got the salifert test kits for Mag Ca and khalk and I am puzzled by the results, especially after reading sk8er's water parameter sticky.
My numbers were

Mag 300
KH/Alk. 9.3
Ca 100

Does this seem possible or did I possibly not test properly?
I did not do the low resolution tests
I plan to bring a sample to LFS this weekend and see what they come up with but always interested to hear what the thoughts are around here.
 
I would suggest repeating them a couple times just to verify your results. The Alk is right in the middle of the good range, but the Ca and Mg are almost impossibly low.

Especially with the Magnesium test - follow the directions exactly. I use the stopwatch function on my phone. When it says to swirl for 30 seconds, swirl for 30 seconds. If it is really that low, it is impossible to bring the other two into line.
 
As others have said, the mag and calc are way, way off so it's either a bad test, crazy out of whack parameters or some combination of the two. If you're doing any kind of regular water changes, it's hard to imagine things getting that far off.

As mcgyvr suggested, try testing some freshly made SW for comparison. If that looks 'normal' for your salt, go ahead and do a big water change (maybe 33-50% if you have the water storage space) and test the display tank again.

If mag is really that low, you'll never get alk and calc in balance without fixing it first. If you have the ability to dose each independently, start by bringing your mag into a normal range, then bump up the calc.

Start with the confirming of test results though. It's hard to believe those numbers are correct.

Matt
 
Mg and Ca are suffering from user error.

I would guess that the test is being read backwards....Like you're reading how much is left instead of how much was used, or vice versa. For example the Mg is 1200 instead of 300ppm.
 
I will test all 3 again tonight and see what I come up with.
Just to clarify , if they say add drops until the water turns pink and at some point the water is only partially pink and partially blue I should keep adding drops correct?
 
Ab129 said:
I will test all 3 again tonight and see what I come up with.
Just to clarify , if they say add drops until the water turns pink and at some point the water is only partially pink and partially blue I should keep adding drops correct?
Click to expand...
Add one more to see if it's all pink.

And to your measurements, you use the amount used as the reference, not how much is left in the syringe.

This is a for a Red Sea kit, but basically the general process the same.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...ith-the-red-sea-reef-foundation-pro-test-kit/
 
Are you using the syringes that came with the test kits? Some syringes go from 1 to .00.

I bought a bunche berfore realizing the graduations were "backwards".
 
No I'm using the syringes that came with the kits.
Lol!
Click to expand...

I've only got a month under my belt using the Salifert test kits, but im used to them now. As mentioned above, follow the instructions exactly. The instructions sound almost juvenile but they are precise and accurate. If is says swirl, dont shake, for 30 seconds; swirl, and dont shake, for 30 seconds.

For the color change, if you wanna take it seriously, 1st step is SLOWLY, METHODICALLY, and patiently add drop by drop. Swirl the test tube a little btwn drops. Lets say you are going from blue to red. If you are just staring at it, you can notice some drops start to add the red color, but when you swirl it around it will revert back to blue. When you see that, slow down. At some point, even after you swirl, the color starts to change. IT will be like...starting to turn red. Slow down again. Now, Slowly add a drop. Then another. One of these drops will make it go full red. You wont have any more doubt about it being red. it will be red. Stop adding drops and take the reading.

Thats been my experience anyways.
 
Redeyes31 said:
I've only got a month under my belt using the Salifert test kits, but im used to them now. As mentioned above, follow the instructions exactly. The instructions sound almost juvenile but they are precise and accurate. If is says swirl, dont shake, for 30 seconds; swirl, and dont shake, for 30 seconds.

For the color change, if you wanna take it seriously, 1st step is SLOWLY, METHODICALLY, and patiently add drop by drop. Swirl the test tube a little btwn drops. Lets say you are going from blue to red. If you are just staring at it, you can notice some drops start to add the red color, but when you swirl it around it will revert back to blue. When you see that, slow down. At some point, even after you swirl, the color starts to change. IT will be like...starting to turn red. Slow down again. Now, Slowly add a drop. Then another. One of these drops will make it go full red. You wont have any more doubt about it being red. it will be red. Stop adding drops and take the reading.

Thats been my experience anyways.
Click to expand...

Good Advice. Regardless of the brand test kit, consistency is the key to getting accurate, repeatable, results.
 
nereefpat said:
Mg and Ca are suffering from user error.

I would guess that the test is being read backwards....Like you're reading how much is left instead of how much was used, or vice versa. For example the Mg is 1200 instead of 300ppm.
Click to expand...

Bingo!!
Correct reading is
Mag 1350
Ca. 485

Thanks !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Corals slowly dying / getting white spots water tests good
Replies
18
Views
678
griss
griss
Broken reefer
Alk and cal
Replies
10
Views
1K
Broken reefer
Broken reefer
Broken reefer
Alk and calcium
Replies
3
Views
867
Reefing102
Reefing102
H
Alkalinity/Calcium Balance
Replies
1
Views
515
griss
griss
S
Low mag
Replies
12
Views
847
Scotty333!!!
S
Back
Top