High Mag in Tank

[LOZReefer]

First reef tank. It is only 3 months old -- I've been testing everything except magnesium up until last week when I decided to pick up a Mag tester after I noticed my Hammer had been shrinking over the last 2 weeks or so without improvement.

I tested with a Hanna checker and get an 1800+ reading. I thought it was a faulty checker so I tried another Hanna checker and got the same result (they're both brand new). I decided to try out Salifert, and I'm getting readings off the chart with Salifert as well (only able to read up to 1500 with Salifert. It takes 1 full syringe of the second reagent plus .3 ml extra to turn the solution blue). I have tested on tank water, freshly mixed SW using RODI, AND freshly mixed with water straight from the tap and get the same exact results. I typically use Fritz RPM, but also tested with Tropic Marin salt.

At this point I'm at a complete loss - no idea what to do. All parameters within ideal ranges. I'm not dosing ANYTHING right now.

150g tank with 5 fish and cleanup crew (2 cardinalfish, 2 clowns, 1 yellow tang, 11 red leg hermits, 3 conchs, 4 nassarius, 3 cerith, 1 cleaner shrimp)

78.5 degrees
1.025 sg
7.7 alk
5.0 nitrate
.07 phos
441 calc

I ordered an ICP test but I really don't know where the extra Mag could be coming from. The only common denominator between all my tests is my water supply. However, I'm technically on the same city utilities water that my LFS is on, but about 10 miles away. I haven't asked what his parameters are but I will next time I'm there. Also going to see if he can test my water and see what he gets. Any ideas where it could be coming from? I know high mag isn't a super big deal, but my hammer has been shrinking so my theory is that may be why? I really don't know. Appreciate any input. Thanks

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Have you tested your RODI water only? If its in fresh SW more than likely its coming from your source of water.

What RODI unit are you using and how old are the filters?

 

[LOZReefer]

Have you tested your RODI water only? If its in fresh SW more than likely its coming from your source of water.

What RODI unit are you using and how old are the filters?

Doesn't the solution need salinity in order for the reagents to work? I can try real quick though.

I have the 4 Stage 150GPD RODI system from BRS. Filters are all clean and basically brand new. Getting 0 TDS.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

What brand though? I have seen some off brands not correctly filter

But your RO membrane should be removing mag from your water source, if this isnt happening and your city water has excess amounts of mag that could be your issue here. Along with many other containments entering your water possibly

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

First reef tank. It is only 3 months old -- I've been testing everything except magnesium up until last week when I decided to pick up a Mag tester after I noticed my Hammer had been shrinking over the last 2 weeks or so without improvement.

I tested with a Hanna checker and get an 1800+ reading. I thought it was a faulty checker so I tried another Hanna checker and got the same result (they're both brand new). I decided to try out Salifert, and I'm getting readings off the chart with Salifert as well (only able to read up to 1500 with Salifert. It takes 1 full syringe of the second reagent plus .3 ml extra to turn the solution blue). I have tested on tank water, freshly mixed SW using RODI, AND freshly mixed with water straight from the tap and get the same exact results. I typically use Fritz RPM, but also tested with Tropic Marin salt.

At this point I'm at a complete loss - no idea what to do. All parameters within ideal ranges. I'm not dosing ANYTHING right now.

150g tank with 5 fish and cleanup crew (2 cardinalfish, 2 clowns, 1 yellow tang, 11 red leg hermits, 3 conchs, 4 nassarius, 3 cerith, 1 cleaner shrimp)

78.5 degrees
1.025 sg
7.7 alk
5.0 nitrate
.07 phos
441 calc

I ordered an ICP test but I really don't know where the extra Mag could be coming from. The only common denominator between all my tests is my water supply. However, I'm technically on the same city utilities water that my LFS is on, but about 10 miles away. I haven't asked what his parameters are but I will next time I'm there. Also going to see if he can test my water and see what he gets. Any ideas where it could be coming from? I know high mag isn't a super big deal, but my hammer has been shrinking so my theory is that may be why? I really don't know. Appreciate any input. Thanks

I recommend not testing magnesium. Too much error.

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

 

[LOZReefer]

What brand though? I have seen some off brands not correctly filter

But your RO membrane should be removing mag from your water source, if this isnt happening and your city water has excess amounts of mag that could be your issue here. Along with many other containments entering your water possibly

Just one of the ones from BRS. The membrane filter is brand new. Only has about 25 gallons through it.

 

[LOZReefer]

I recommend not testing magnesium. Too much error.

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 did read this. However, while I agree, exact Mag numbers are not significant... I feel like extremely high Mag numbers on the other hand could be.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Just one of the ones from BRS. The membrane filter is brand new. Only has about 25 gallons through it.

In this case I would go with Randy on this one which its more than likely no issue. Cheap RODI units are a concern but BRS makes a great unit.

Mag isnt as worrisome and even though most dont test for it, I rarely do as well. Other than I dont use salt with higher mag as Randy suggests so I do dose it in new sw. More than likely something else is going on in your system. What brand kits are you using? Also what about flow and lights, maybe a pic of the corals and tank would help

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

With your tank being so new it’s possible that things just haven’t stabilized yet.

Do you have any corals besides the hammer? How are they doing?

In my experience euphyllia actually do better with a higher mag level.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

I did read this. However, while I agree, exact Mag numbers are not significant... I feel like extremely high Mag numbers on the other hand could be.

Mag is directly correlated with helping maintain cal/alk so even though the mag is highly elevated it shouldnt harm the corals directly. Extremely low mag is what will cause issues

 

[LOZReefer]

With your tank being so new it’s possible that things just haven’t stabilized yet.

Do you have any corals besides the hammer? How are they doing?

In my experience euphyllia actually do better with a higher mag level.

I've got a mix. Birdsnest, Stylo, Acan, Mushroom, Montipora, Zoas, Palys, and GSP. Everything is fine besides the hammer. However, the hammer is in fact the only euphyllia I have.

 

[REEFRIED!]

I agree and fully use the RHF “who gives a crap about Mag” method.

I am a bit confused on how brand new salt mixed to the proper salinity would have a reading matching your current tank magnesium level? Hobby grade Mag test kits are generally junk and prone to user error.

Other than the hammer are there other corals in the tank? How do they look?

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Here is a good read that @Randy Holmes-Farley recommended on another thread to show the relationship

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

 

[LOZReefer]

Probably worth noting I lost two brand new pieces of Acros a week or so ago. Just wanted to try them out to see if they would make it. Didn't last but a week.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

I've got a mix. Birdsnest, Stylo, Acan, Mushroom, Montipora, Zoas, Palys, and GSP. Everything is fine besides the hammer. However, the hammer is in fact the only euphyllia I have.

Interesting, so you have some other corals that use cal/alk/mag and they seem ok. Have you dipped the hammer by any chance to look for euphyllia flatworms? Also, is the hammer getting too much flow? Is it getting blasted by too much light?

I think it’s probably something other than the mag level.

 

[LOZReefer]

I agree and fully use the RHF “who gives a crap about Mag” method.

I am a bit confused on how brand new salt mixed to the proper salinity would have a reading matching your current tank magnesium level? Hobby grade Mag test kits are generally junk and prone to user error.

Other than the hammer are there other corals in the tank? How do they look?

I'm also confused on this. I've been doing ~10% water changes every week. Other corals are fine.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

I agree and fully use the RHF “who gives a crap about Mag” method.

I am a bit confused on how brand new salt mixed to the proper salinity would have a reading matching your current tank magnesium level? Hobby grade Mag test kits are generally junk and prone to user error.

Other than the hammer are there other corals in the tank? How do they look?

It could simply be the kit you are using, if you have not dosed before then it would make sense your new sw should closely match your tank water.

Probably worth noting I lost two brand new pieces of Acros a week or so ago. Just wanted to try them out to see if they would make it. Didn't last but a week.

Your tank is still new, a lot of variables come into play here. Lights, flow, stability, ect.. Were the acros wild cuts, agricultured, ect.. A lot of variables here at play especially in a new system

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

When the acros died, did they lose polyps from the base up or the tips?

 

[LOZReefer]

Interesting, so you have some other corals that use cal/alk/mag and they seem ok. Have you dipped the hammer by any chance to look for euphyllia flatworms? Also, is the hammer getting too much flow? Is it getting blasted by too much light?

I think it’s probably something other than the mag level.

While not impossible, I wouldn't think that is the issue. I feel like my flow and lights are actually pretty low comparatively.

I dipped the hammer when I first got it -- no signs of pests/hitchhikers. It did really good for over a month. Started to really grow a bit and then over the last two weeks or so it's shrunk. I guess I could try dipping it and then moving it lower in the tank? I feel like I should just leave it be though.

 

[LOZReefer]

When the acros died, did they lose polyps from the base up or the tips?

Actually never even had polyp extension while in my tank. Basically had RTN from the get go. I don't really think it started from the base or the tips. It all just bleached out pretty quickly