Mag levels

[ndz98]

Would it be a bad thing if mag levels were too high?

 

[joshkirkland83]

Its not a good thing, if you want a balanced reef.

 

[DannyB]

How high are we talking?

 

[ndz98]

>1600 ppm

 

[DannyB]

It isn't at a dangerous level or anything but try not to let it get higher.

 

[ndz98]

What can I do to get it lower?

 

[joshkirkland83]

Water change

 

[joshkirkland83]

Might wanna double check your test before you do anything also.

 

[ndz98]

I've done several water changes and the test is accurate. It seems to stay pretty high for some reason.

 

[joshkirkland83]

I've done several water changes and the test is accurate. It seems to stay pretty high for some reason.

What brand test and what test did you double check with?

 

[ndz98]

Red Sea and I tested with another Red Sea test kit I have.

 

[joshkirkland83]

Red Sea and I tested with another Red Sea test kit I have.

What salt are you using?

 

[ndz98]

Aqua forest salt

 

[joshkirkland83]

Oh lawd. I know nothing about that salt. I do know @reefwiser uses it. He might be one to ask. Im sure hes in bed now tho.

 

[ndz98]

Is there any other way to lower it besides a water change?

 

[joshkirkland83]

Is there any other way to lower it besides a water change?

Not that i know of. I use RSCP. When i wanna drop my levels, which is super rare, i use purple top IO. I do know there are diffetent levels of that brand salt, so you may not have enough coral to consume that much mag between water changes. So, you may need to look at a different level with a lower mag.

 

[dacianb]

I had same issue with Mg at 1600 and Ca above 500. Tried out different tests, more water change, things went from bad to worse.
Then someone give me a nice idea - to check salinity. I used a floating device and was sure that I have 1.024 in my tank. I bought a refractometer and calibration liquids and I found out that I had > 1.032 salinity. Next few days I just replaced saltwater with RO water and once I get to 1.026, Ca and Mg were in perfect zone (450 and 1350).

 

[Luke Schnabel]

I keep mine around 1390.

 

[mrtian97]

I use RS salt and been trying to get my mag level from 1240 to 1300. Been dosing RS mag 10mL/day

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is there any other way to lower it besides a water change?

Nope. :)

FWIW, some folks have problems getting accurate results with the Red Sea magnesium kit, but regardless, use the kit on your new salt water to see if a water change will help any.

Unless you massively dosed magnesium, that is where it came from in the first place. :)