Magnesium test

[DevilBoy]

Does anyone locally have a Magnesium test kit?? I have been continueing getting a read of 2445ppm with my magnesium test. I dont know if the reagents are bad or what, they say 7/2008 on them. I would to have someone verify it for me with there magnesium test. Please let me know. and we can figure out a time to meet

[pogodzib]

What brand of test kit do you have? Most that I have seen don't read anywhere near that high. I would guess that your test kit is bad unless you are dosing huge amounts of Mg since it takes a lot of Mg supplements to raise Mg levels. Even then, if the Mg is really that high, I would guess that you would be having some issues with your alkalinity or calcium.

I plan on bringing some MagFlake up to David in a couple of weeks, so I would guess that David would have a Mg test kit if he is planning on using the MagFlake. If not, I can bring my test kit up there when I come up. All that I would ask (if it is alright with David) is that you get some water over to David's place prior to me getting up there so I don't spend too much time running all over town.

[davidsreef]

Tim - I do have a mg test kit by salifert you can use. PM me on when and how to test.

[DevilBoy]

i dont dose any Mg at all. i dose nothing actually.

David, I also use the salifert Mag test. I could bring some vials of water over to your house to do it. I can also bring my salifert kit so we can compare the 2 kits. just let me know when a good time for you would be.

[pogodzib]

My salifert test kit only reads Mg up to 1500ppm. Are you only testing half the volume of water in the directions and then multiplying your result by two or are to doing the full volume of water and then multiplying your result by two? If your testing the full amount of water as in the directions, then you should not be multiplying by two, which would cut your number in half (1222ppm) which is a realistic number if you don't dose Mg.

[DevilBoy]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

My salifert test kit only reads Mg up to 1500ppm. Are you only testing half the volume of water in the directions and then multiplying your result by two or are to doing the full volume of water and then multiplying your result by two? If your testing the full amount of water as in the directions, then you should not be multiplying by two, which would cut your number in half (1222ppm) which is a realistic number if you don't dose Mg.

no i am not doing that... once my syringe is completely empty my test vial has not changed to a gray or blue color, so i draw another ml outta the regeant with the syringe. And it turns to a blue color with about .5 ml left in the syringe

[pogodzib]

Wow. It sounds like your test kit is bad. Since you don't dose any Mg, the Mg levels in the tank shouldn't be higher than the Mg levels in the salt that you are using. Most brands of salt have Mg levels in the 1200-1400ppm range.

[Big B]

WOW! How often do you do water changes? Have you tested your new water? As stated above your new sw should be between 1200 to 1400ppm. Where do you keep your salinity, alk & ca?

[DevilBoy]

Originally Posted by Big B

WOW! How often do you do water changes? Have you tested your new water? As stated above your new sw should be between 1200 to 1400ppm. Where do you keep your salinity, alk & ca?

once a week... yep tested new batches of water also still getting around 2500ppm in the new water...

my salinity is 1.025, dKh is at 9, Ca is 440ppm


Its only one of 2 things, 1 my reagants are bad in my kit, or 2 the bucket of salt i got is bad.