Testing newly made salt water batch.

[mc524]

So, I have battling a low Mag level lately. Dosing Mag from Continuum.
Haven't been able to get the level up where it should be. I decided to test the new batch of salt water that I mixed a day or so ago. I mix at 1.026Sg which according to Reef Crystals, should set Mag at 1345.
Well according to my Seachem test, my tank water I'd actually higher
It only tested at like 900! My tank is at about 1100.
Could I have got a batch of Salt not properly mixed? Almost seems like it was just Instant Ocean and not Reef Crystals.
Anyone else run into this?

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[rdnelson]

Try a different test kit or take a sample to an LFS. My guess is you are getting false readings.


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[mc524]

Yeah I need to run by Jenn's tomorrow anyway. So was planning to have her test both a sample from DT, and Fresh Mix. Getting two different readings. Kits not very old. Figured it would be okay. Beginning to see signs of things not right by looking at a coral or 2. All else is in check, but been noticing pH moving around more than it should be. Course, dosing Mag would make it drop and then I'd have to dose to bring the pH up a bit.

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[rdnelson]

Good luck. Hope you find the problem.


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[mc524]

I've never reached a 1350 mag level, always near the 1200 mark. Everything else would stay in check. So wondering if it's been this batch of Salt. Wondering if I shouldn't bail on this last bag that I poured in the bucket and try the new box. Only one way to find out.

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[jennm]

I'm guessing the test is accurate - the salt isn't. Not worth throwing it away though, just dose some magnesium if you need to.

People worry way too much about little things, sometimes.

Low mag won't kill anything - just won't promote as much growth since the calcium can't be used as easily without enough magnesium present.

What's your Calcium level?

Jenn

 

[mc524]

Cal is at 420-440 at the moment.

I'm going with the salt as well. I won't throw thus last bit out, I will use it in the Bio Cube with the Clowns. I am going to mix a new batch with that latest box I picked up earlier this month. Been dosing Mag regularly but didn't seem to pick up the level enough to make a difference. For the most part everything is fine, just slowed down growth here or there. The main concern is the Pearl Bubble. Been fine but over the last 2-3 weeks one section stopped expanding like it used to. Now seeing some recession. Since everything parameters wise was okay other than the Mag, only thing I can come up with is Chemical war between corals. I have since moved it from its original location, but not much has changed. If I thought the Clowns would leave it alone I would move it out to see if it improves.

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[bluespot]

I had an issue with low mag in several buckets of RC even with really good mixing. Had to add a large amount of mag. Try using a reef calculater to see how much you need to use. Most products require quite a large amount for a seemingly small change. Makes it seem like you cant raise lvls high enough when in reality you have to add a lot more. I use this calculator:

 

[mc524]

Yeah I believe if you go by the bottles instructions, they are more maintaining a level or small increases. For in my case, or from what you were explaining, we need to mix a lot more. Thanks for the tip. I just mixed up a new batch from the new box. Give it some time to mix, and I will test it's levels. If too low, there will be a box of RC for sale
May switch to Salinity or Red Sea if this box tests low as well.

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[rdnelson]

For raising it, you could use the Epsom salt mix. It is a higher concentration. I used it for a while in my old tank with good success. Plus, it is much less expensive.

The one drawback is over extended periods of time you will get a build up of undesirables.


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[mc524]

Yeah I was reading up on that. If your salt mix is high in Sulfates it can create issues.
Wait and see what this new mix does.

I hear you won a free envelope!

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[rdnelson]

MC524;877803 wrote: Yeah I was reading up on that. If your salt mix is high in Sulfates it can create issues.
Wait and see what this new mix does.

I hear you won a free envelope!

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LOL. My prized possession. .


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[mc524]

I'm chatting with Larry right now. He said he fastened it himself. He said the shirt must gave busted the seam, then resealed itself.

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[rdnelson]

MC524;877811 wrote: I'm chatting with Larry right now. He said he fastened it himself. He said the shirt must gave busted the seam, then resealed itself.

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LOL. Must have been because it was XXXXXL and the cardboard just couldn't hold that much manhood.



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[bluespot]

I switched from RC that I have used nearly exclusively for years to Red Sea Coral Pro due primarily to consistently low levels of mag in the RC. To raise mag levels in 95 gal total system from 1200 to 1340 it takes 126 teaspoons of Seachem Reef Adv Crystals. The difference in price between the two salts wasnt that much when the price of mag supplements was taken into account.

Edit: Love Rich's idea of the epsom salts for an initial boost. Never heard of that but makes sense. Just don't drink any epsom salt and water. I lost a bet and had to drink some. Not good! Lol!

 

[mc524]

Good to know. I mixed a fresh batch last night. So I will be testing today to see where it's testing at.
I too may be switching.
How has the Red Sea been testing?



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[mc524]

Well tested a new batch of mixed water from a new box of RC. This batch measured at 1000.
Needless to say, I'm not real happy. I don't have the time or the equipment to worry about dosing. It's all been manual dosing. So, sounds like it's time for a change in Salt Brands.

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[jennm]

How long are you mixing it before you test it?

If you're mixing it too long, you could be precipitating it out. That can happen whatever brand you use.

 

[mc524]

Less than 24hours.

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[jennm]

Hmm, maybe too long?