Really high Mag level

[nlgill13]

So I checked my Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium today...numbers were 7.8 dKH, 450 ppm, and 1600 ppm respectively. I know the Alk is a little low and I will dose it up, but the Mag is looking quite a bit off. I did about a 15% water change last night.

I also check my parameters last week and saw the same thing with the Mag at 1600. Any thoughts?

[ek9vboi]

It will be ok. High mag level won't be as big of an issues as high alk. Over time with water changes and depletion, it will lower but don't freak out about it.

How did it get so high? Dosing?

[nlgill13]

No, I haven't needed to dose Mag because its been so high...Could it be the salt im using (Instant Ocean)?

[sucker_fish]

just curious if you're using the reef crystal salt by instant ocean. I recently switched to this salt and my MG has been high also, not as high as yours is but it went up to around 1500 ppm

[nlgill13]

I have just been using the regular Instant Ocean salt.

[jong11]

I use reef crystals and my mg and ca are high. I don't dose anything.

Mg - 1520
Ca - 520

[TimeConsumer]

What test brand?

[mguiling]

What test brand?

I guess this is a good thing. I'm just starting, have only one sps coral, so maybe reef chrystals are overkill, but my calcium and magnesium levels are very high as well.

[Mel 2038]

I don't think reef crystals values are that high. I'm going to look it up.

[nlgill13]

What test brand?

Im using Red Sea Pro Test Kit for Alk, Cal, and Mag

[shifty51008]

I use IO salt and only get a reading of 1350 from NSW using salifert test kits.

I beleive RC salt has a reading of around 1450 or so

either way those mag levels will be fine.

[bnumair]

some calcium supplements are increase mag and strodium. just in case if you guys are dosing cal supplements.

[USC-fan]

If u didn't follow the direction and mix for 15 sec after each drop during the first step. It would give u a false high reading

[nlgill13]

If u didn't follow the direction and mix for 15 sec after each drop during the first step. It would give u a false high reading

Arent the directions to mix for 15 seconds after each drop of solution A.

Are you suggestion to not mix after each drop, just add 5 drops of Solution A and then add Solution B, followed by using the titration.

[nlgill13]

some calcium supplements are increase mag and strodium. just in case if you guys are dosing cal supplements.

I haven't needed to dose Calcium yet.

[jong11]

Arent the directions to mix for 15 seconds after each drop of solution A.

Are you suggestion to not mix after each drop, just add 5 drops of Solution A and then add Solution B, followed by using the titration.

No he is saying that you have to follow the directions precisely otherwise your results won't be accurate.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Also, if you just mixed up part of a larger bag or bucket, the salt may settle, allowing certain ions to be higher or lower than normal in the portion you sampled.

I expect it is testing error, but 1600 ppm magnesium is not at the point where you need to anything about it, even if accurate. :)

[WillM]

I use regular IO as well and mine tested over 1600 on a Sera test kit.

[TimeConsumer]

I've tested erroneously high on mag with red sea pro before. Follow the instructions very closely and test two or 3 times in a row. It's probably lower.

[nlgill13]

I've tested erroneously high on mag with red sea pro before. Follow the instructions very closely and test two or 3 times in a row. It's probably lower.

Thanks TimeConsumer, I have actually tried testing twice before because I figured I had done the test wrong....Still got the same result. I figured I would check to see if this was a common occurrence.

[nlgill13]

Also, if you just mixed up part of a larger bag or bucket, the salt may settle, allowing certain ions to be higher or lower than normal in the portion you sampled.

I expect it is testing error, but 1600 ppm magnesium is not at the point where you need to anything about it, even if accurate. :)

Thanks Randy, I did the test a little less then a day after mixing a new batch of salt and doing a water change. Would you suggest waiting longer to do my testing after mixing the salt?

What are the dangers of elevated magnesium? And what would be considered dangerous levels of magnesium? The reason I ask is that my Red Sea Mag test only goes up to 1600 ppm and my actual levels might be higher.