Urgent Salifert test kit questions for Magnesium and Calcium

[seldin]

Here is the scenario. I have had a reef aquarium for 2 years and am used to test kits.

This week I bought new Salifert test kits for Calcium and magnesium.

My original water readings were 1200 magnesium and 360 calcium (too low), I usually have calcium at 400.

1) So I followed my normal calcium calculations and raised calcium to 420. I also followed directions to raise magnesium to 1550 (not tested, just measured with reef calculator).

I went to test the new changes from step 1. My calcium is now not measuring and my magnesium is not right.

PS. I wanted the Magnesium this high, because I researched that I can get rid of my green hair algae at that number.

PSS. I went to my LFS and they validated my calcium at 430 and my magnesium level.


Thank you,

 

[HighlandReefer]

The first step I would take is to check your new test kits by mixing up a batch of new salt mix to 1.0264 using a properly calibrated refractometer and compare the results to those found in this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Which salt mix are you using and are you using a refractometer for salinity?

 

[seldin]

Cliff,

I am using a refractrometer and my salt mix is Reef Crystals. My salt is at 1.027. I normally have this at 1.025, so this is a little high.

So my guess (not positive is that the raised magnesium of 1550 is skewing my testing using Salifert for magnesium and calcium.

However, my fish store said I could be doing tests wrong. I don't think so, because last week, they were correct and I have been testing for years.

What do you think.

Thank you,

 

[bertoni]

The magnesium shouldn't cause problems for the test kit. 1550 isn't that high. So the problem is that your calcium kit is not working? Does the solution not turn blue? You can use a second syringe (for both test kits) to get a number.

 

[adtravels]

i have been using salifert tc for years now I dont even use the sheets anymore.
The other day i tested calcuim and it registered 0, I tested again horrified it read 0.
The solution remained blue at all times i went through evary reason that my calc could have been low, then realised I had been putting 4 ml of tank water in instead of two as for the alk test.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I wanted the Magnesium this high, because I researched that I can get rid of my green hair algae at that number.

I do not believe that you'll find magnesium will help with green hair algae. Some people seem to find that bryopsis (and only bryopsis) is impacted by certain brands (and only certain brands) of magnesium additives. Possibly due to an impurity in those brands (like Kent Tech M).

 

[seldin]

Randy,

I did dose with Kent Tech M. If that does not work, after a couple of weeks, I was thinking of dosing with Sugar.

However, my nitrates and Phosphates are both reading 0. I have a 55 gallon reef 2 years old, and my bio load is very low. So what should I do, if this does not work?

Jonathan,

My test kit is not turning blue.

Thank you,

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If you have an algae problem, phosphate will often read very low just because so much algae is taking it up rapidly. You can still eliminate it by intercepting the phosphate before the algae gets it. It must have phosphate to grow.

 

[seldin]

Randy,

I read about dosing sugar and vodka for nitrates. Would sugar also help with phoshates.

PS. I really enjoy your articles. Very interesting.

Thank you,

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, carbon dosing will help reduce algae problems by reducing nutrients.

 

[bertoni]

You could try titrating another syringe with the calcium test, and then adding the results.