Mag or Gag: Do you test magnesium?

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Magnesium testing...This is a hot topic in reefing! Some say you need to do it; others say it wastes time and resources. Where do you fall?

Do you test magnesium? Why or why not?

Want to know more about this topic? Check out this thread from @Randy Holmes-Farley - Just say NO to magnesium testing: RMM is born!

 

[GlassMunky]

Magnesium testing...This is a hot topic in reefing! Some say you need to do it; others say it wastes time and resources. Where do you fall?

Do you test magnesium? Why or why not?

Want to know more about this topic? Check out this thread from @Randy Holmes-Farley - Just say NO to magnesium testing: RMM is born!

I voted no.

But also find your graphic funny cause I never test no3 or po4 either

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I haven't tested mag in my tank in months, haha.

 

[lil sumpin]

I've just recently resumed testing for magnesium again following a bryopsis outbreak. Aiming to bump it up to ~1500, previously was in the 1300 range

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Magnesium testing...This is a hot topic in reefing! Some say you need to do it; others say it wastes time and resources. Where do you fall?

Do you test magnesium? Why or why not?

Want to know more about this topic? Check out this thread from @Randy Holmes-Farley - Just say NO to magnesium testing: RMM is born!

How about randomly and anytime I send water in for an ICP

But I test the other two just as often as the mag

 

[reefnfun]

I have an all SPS tank, I run my mag. at 1500

 

[Zissou Intern]

I just started because I wanted to make sure my magnesium level was correct before I start dosing All for Reef. I'll probably add this test to my monthly rotation rather than weekly once I'm confident that it is stable.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

I've just recently resumed testing for magnesium again following a bryopsis outbreak. Aiming to bump it up to ~1500, previously was in the 1300 range

I’ve heard that high mag keeps algae down

My mag - according to at home test is +1500
The last ICP showed 1600.

 

[lil sumpin]

Great lookin tank! I hope the mag helps kick algae butt... would rather not have to use flux or anything of that sort

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

I’ve heard that high mag keeps algae down

My mag - according to at home test is +1500
The last ICP showed 1600.

Off-topic, but those anemones are gorgeous.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Off-topic, but those anemones are gorgeous.

Thank you! Now if I could teach them how to “stay.”

The original was added 4.5 years ago…..they compliment my clowns

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Thank you! Now if I could teach them how to “stay.”

The original was added 4.5 years ago…..they compliment my clowns

Black widows?

And yes! That is a real struggle. Mine struts around the tank like it owns the place (which it does). I'm hoping mine will start splitting soon.

 

[rtparty]

My Trident tested magnesium but I paid it no attention. Randy's thread confirmed what I had known for years so I stopped testing magnesium.

In over 2 years I never once dosed straight magnesium to this system. Any magnesium additions came from Tropic Marin Part C and water changes.

 

[Formulator]

Yes, but only because my trident measures it. If not for that, I’d probably still test 1x/month just for grins.

 

[BeanAnimal]

It is my understanding (RHF) that most of our mag test kits are wildly inaccurate and furthermore, if one maintains Calcium (easier to test) at the same ratio as Magnesium, then they will almost always be in balance.

 

[shakacuz]

voted other. i don't actively test for mag anymore, but if/when i send out an ICP i test for it lol.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I test mg as part of my tridents’ function for my tanks. I don’t go out of my way to nail down a number, but if something goofy happens, it gives me a trend to look at and eliminate a problem. It gets dosed with my calcium as part of my dosing regimen.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I've just recently resumed testing for magnesium again following a bryopsis outbreak. Aiming to bump it up to ~1500, previously was in the 1300 range

Why so much higher than the ocean? What do you think that level accomplishes?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have an all SPS tank, I run my mag. at 1500

What’s the evidence that sps corals like magnesium so high?

 

[lil sumpin]

Why so much higher than the ocean? What do you think that level accomplishes?

Hoping to keep bryopsis at bay with elevated mag