red sea coral pro mag problem

[downset21]

I saw that other people may have encountered the same issues I have had with red sea coral pro.

Since I've used it, my magnesium has been around 1800 with a salifert and nyos test kits.

Calcium was pretty normal and Alk hangs out around 9. Right now calcium is too high (520) but that is due to a kalk stirrer mishap I had.

The magnesium issue has been consistent for a about 6 months. Is this reason enough to change salts? I don't dose mag because I havent had to! I feel like it has to be the salt.

[bertoni]

If the number is correct, I'd change the salt product, but it might be worth getting a second opinion. Have you tested some freshly-mixed saltwater? That magnesium level seems to be very high.

[downset21]

Ill test the fresh mix tomorrow and get back to you.

[vhuang168]

http://www.redseafish.com/my-batch/

That will tell you exactly what your mag levels in a fresh mix should be for your batch of salt.

Also try to roll the bucket around a little. Sometimes they settle out differently.


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[downset21]

I mixed 1.20 salt with RO/DI water today. My mag came out to 1140 which makes sense given the lower salinity. Perhaps my mag was high because my salinity was high?

[bertoni]

If the magnesium is 1140 ppm at 1.020 SG, then it'd be around 1500 at 1.026, which is only a little high. Maybe the salt mix settled badly in shipment. You could try stirring it up.

[Buzz1329]

I mixed 1.20 salt with RO/DI water today. My mag came out to 1140 which makes sense given the lower salinity. Perhaps my mag was high because my salinity was high?

What salt mix are you using?

Thanks,

Mike

[downset21]

Red sea coral pro

[worldbook]

I have been experiencing the same thing. My Mag hovers around 1600 with Coral pro salt. I mix mine to 35ppt/1.026. I used the my batch feature on the Redseafish site and all parameters tested are spot on with the batch parameters, except the mag. I always mix the dry salt in the bucket before using. I do not dose mag and my tank is the same as the tested freshly mixed water.

[bertoni]

Maybe the company is targeting a higher level now. 1600 ppm should be safe enough, although I would prefer a lower level, personally.

[downset21]

I'm trying to go to 1.025 on my next two changes to see what happens to parameters then.


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[downset21]

I should also point out that my old hydrometer was way off. I have switched to a refractometer.


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[bertoni]

Hmm, how far off was the hydrometer, and what model was it?

[downset21]

Refractometer read 1.028 when the hydrometer read 1.026

[bertoni]

Okay, that's better than some error margins, but I'm glad you caught it.