Has anyone ever had an issue with high magnesium? I tested twice today and got a reading of 1600ppm. This is strange because it has been reading pretty consistent ever since I started measuring. I have attached the past readings to this thread. Only things that have changed: dosed calcium and alkalinity on 4/1 performed 20% water change on 4/2 and dosed alkalinity today. Can anyone help explain?
High Magnesium
- Thread starter MBarr57
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I don’t know what kind of testing kit you are using but, I would test again. Nothing you’ve done is out of your regular routine, you didn’t add any magnesium source. So test again. Do you see your corals looking bad?
Maybe have two different brand of kit to compare. Since you test mag 2 to 4 times a week?!? I have two brand of kit to compare. And rarely ever test mag or dose mag.
Let’s say you have issues with Alk or Calcium or Mag that you can’t get it to stabilize in your tank?!! Theoretically, you can do 100% water change and get it back to normal range. Corals look bad…. Do 100% water change. -.-;
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Maybe have two different brand of kit to compare. Since you test mag 2 to 4 times a week?!? I have two brand of kit to compare. And rarely ever test mag or dose mag.
Let’s say you have issues with Alk or Calcium or Mag that you can’t get it to stabilize in your tank?!! Theoretically, you can do 100% water change and get it back to normal range. Corals look bad…. Do 100% water change. -.-;
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Thank for the quick response. Corals seem fine and invertebrates seem fine too. I don’t normally test this frequently but I have just recently started with corals and started dosing alk and calcium because they were low. I’ve been trying to gauge how the tank handles dosing and how quickly the elements get used. When I got the high result I tested again and got around the same. I’m using a Red Sea foundation pro test kit and the Red Sea Foundation A and Foundation B for dosing.
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When it comes to testing, you will want to test at the same time for few days to see the consumption rate. Don’t test at random time since there are much fluctuations thru out the day. And watch for the pattern. Go by alkalinity consumption to make things simple.
Unless you see something odd, you really don’t need to test calc and mag often unless you have corals and invertebrates that may take up more than usual. Take one thing at a time.
It’s definitely good to know these parameters. Not stopping you from it. Just know that unless you have tons of corals your consumption will be low. I started dosing when my alkalinity started to drop more than 0.5dkh per day. Dosed via pump. Hope you figure it out.
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Unless you see something odd, you really don’t need to test calc and mag often unless you have corals and invertebrates that may take up more than usual. Take one thing at a time.
It’s definitely good to know these parameters. Not stopping you from it. Just know that unless you have tons of corals your consumption will be low. I started dosing when my alkalinity started to drop more than 0.5dkh per day. Dosed via pump. Hope you figure it out.
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If the corals look alright, I wouldn't worry too much at this point. i.e. I wouldn't take any drastic steps to resolve the issue. If I were in your position, I would test the fresh saltwater mix that I use to do water changes. Perhaps it's got a lot of magnesium in it for some reason? I don't use the Red Sea supplements but I don't think the Foundation A has any magnesium in it. Can someone confirm? I know a lot of Calcium supplements do have magnesium and strontium in lower doses.
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I got curious as well. ABC+ seems like all for reef.
The FoundationTM Supplements
• FoundationTM Calcium+ Contains Calcium, Strontium & Barium in the ratios as found in
coral skeleton.
• FoundationTM KH/Alkalinity Contains Bicarbonates.
• FoundationTM Magnesium Contains Magnesium
• FoundationTM ABC+ Contains Calcium, Strontium, Barium, Bicarbonates, Magnesium, Potassium, Boron, Iodine & Bromine formulated in the exact ratio as found in the coral skeleton. This unique powder supplement simplifies the daily dosing of more than just the foundation elements and is recommended for aquariums up to about 300 liters / 75 gallons.
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The FoundationTM Supplements
• FoundationTM Calcium+ Contains Calcium, Strontium & Barium in the ratios as found in
coral skeleton.
• FoundationTM KH/Alkalinity Contains Bicarbonates.
• FoundationTM Magnesium Contains Magnesium
• FoundationTM ABC+ Contains Calcium, Strontium, Barium, Bicarbonates, Magnesium, Potassium, Boron, Iodine & Bromine formulated in the exact ratio as found in the coral skeleton. This unique powder supplement simplifies the daily dosing of more than just the foundation elements and is recommended for aquariums up to about 300 liters / 75 gallons.
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