Magnesium Lvls High

Petey Pirate · Dec 8, 2024

Hey all,

I have issues with my Mag being higher after the recent WC. (Ma:1800) I notice my Ca is out of the recommended parameters as well. I started testing Mag, Cal & Alk from my last water change since I added GSP & a Kenya Tree to my tank. Tank is fairly new (2.5 Months Old). I'm still trying to bring down my NO3 & P04 but the least of my worries since since I only have clowns and a small CUC. I have been on top of my weekly WC, salinity has been consistent. GSP & K-Tree looks happy. I am using Ocean Crystal Reef Salt & RODI Water. I usually wait almost 24hrs to do my testing after a WC. After WC I do dose Microbater7 as well.

Testers: All Hanna's
Tank size 12G

Testing: 11/30/24

No3: 13.2
Po4: .13
Ca: 527
dKH: 8.8
MA: 1270

Recent 15% WC 12/8/24
Testing: 12/8/2024
NO3: 14.4
PO4: .16
dkh: 8.8
Ma: 1800
Ca: 514

The other recent thing I have done differently from the recent WC I dose Brightwell Restor since I have the GSP & K-Tree.I will be receiving 3 Corals (an Aussie Lord, a Richordea Mushroom & a Echinata from WWC later this week.

Is it possible the Reagents are going bad? They do not expire till 2027.

Thanks in advance!

jrill · Dec 8, 2024

Hanna mag tester is notoriously inaccurate. Are you using distilled water in the hanna calcium testet?

Petey Pirate · Dec 8, 2024

jrill said:
Hanna mag tester is notoriously inaccurate. Are you using distilled water in the hanna calcium testet?

I am using RODI water that I make.

rtparty · Dec 8, 2024

Incorrect test readings. No possibility for magnesium to jump that high like that.

Just say NO to magnesium testing: RMM is born

OK, this thread has been many years in the making, and I'm posting it here since folks in the chem forum are probably already tired of all the threads relating to problematic magnesium testing. I'm going to propose a method, let's call it the Randy Magnesium Method, or RMM for short. All good...

www.reef2reef.com

kevgib67 · Dec 8, 2024

I second or third, I stopped counting, false reading. Your salt doesn’t mix that high and since you aren’t dosing it can’t be that high.

Petey Pirate · Dec 8, 2024

rtparty said:
Incorrect test readings. No possibility for magnesium to jump that high like that.

Just say NO to magnesium testing: RMM is born

OK, this thread has been many years in the making, and I'm posting it here since folks in the chem forum are probably already tired of all the threads relating to problematic magnesium testing. I'm going to propose a method, let's call it the Randy Magnesium Method, or RMM for short. All good...

www.reef2reef.com

I tested it twice. Once I got a reading for 1800 the first time I thought I made an error. Then the 2nd time I got the same reading…..

rtparty · Dec 8, 2024

Petey Pirate said:
I tested it twice. Once I got a reading for 1800 the first time I thought I made an error. Then the 2nd time I got the same reading…..

Welcome to Hanna. The magnesium tester just isn’t reliable enough IMO. No magnesium kit is reliable and accurate enough to trust. Randy outlines it well in that thread.

On a 12g tank like that, 10% weekly water changes is plenty to keep everything on course, especially magnesium.

Keep your nitrates around 10-20ppm and phosphate around 0.1 to 0.2ppm.

jrill · Dec 8, 2024

Petey Pirate said:
I am using RODI water that I make.

That will give the calcium tester inaccurate results. Hanna has been very clear that you must use distilled water.

Petey Pirate · Dec 8, 2024

jrill said:
That will give the calcium tester inaccurate results. Hanna has been very clear that you must use distilled water.

Great I'll do the test again and get some distilled water when I head to the grocery store. Funny thing in the beginning of my cycle I started out with 12G of distilled water. Then, I eventually transitioned to RODI water once I got my RODI system. Just curious how much of a difference and to see if Hanna trying to get more money out to me to get their "Hanna Distilled" water. lol