Mixing magnesium

[rishma]

My mag is at 1200 and I’m trying to get it to 1350 I’ve asked u questions in the past but my tank split and I never got the chance to put it to practice now I’ve decided to start again

If you tested Mg with a home magnesium kit I wouldn’t trust it.

 

[Lee belk]

If you tested Mg with a home magnesium kit I wouldn’t trust it.

I’ve just started up a new tank and the blue bucket redsea salt has left me with a reading of 1200 I use salivary test kits

 

[rishma]

I’ve just started up a new tank and the blue bucket redsea salt has left me with a reading of 1200 I use salivary test kits

What does redsea claim to mix at?

How have you verified your salinity?

I would trust the salt mixed up as advertised and I would not add additional magnesium based on a home test kit.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, cloudiness is just calcium sulfate. It’s ok to use

I agree on skepticism of the value..

 

[Lee belk]

What does redsea claim to mix at?

How have you verified your salinity?

I would trust the salt mixed up as advertised and I would not add additional magnesium based on a home test kit.

 

[Lee belk]

From 1250 to 1310

 

[rishma]

From 1250 to 1310

I would assume it’s mixing correctly and is in that range if you mixed to the proper salinity. Salinity inaccuracy is a very common issue because many hobby tools and calibration solutions are not great.

What tool did you use?

 

[Lee belk]

I would assume it’s mixing correctly and is in that range if you mixed to the proper salinity. Salinity inaccuracy is a very common issue because many hobby tools and calibration solutions are not great.

What tool did you use?

Just a refractometer

 

[rishma]

Just a refractometer

Ok. A calibrated refractometer can work, the only issue is hobby calibration solutions are not great. I think there are two reasonable options.

1) assume your salinity is correct.

2) if you have an accurate scale to measure grams, make a diy refractometer calibration solution with table salt. Calibrate your refractometer and check your salinity.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/
With either option, assume your Mg is about 1300. Since you want it at 1350, dose enough to add 50ppm. There is no harm in it.

Going forward, just dose magnesium at a ratio of 1-2ppm for every 20ppm calcium you dose or every 2.8 dKH alkalinity you dose.

 

[Lee belk]

Ok. A calibrated refractometer can work, the only issue is hobby calibration solutions are not great. I think there are two reasonable options.

1) assume your salinity is correct.

2) if you have an accurate scale to measure grams, make a diy refractometer calibration solution with table salt. Calibrate your refractometer and check your salinity.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/
With either option, assume your Mg is about 1300. Since you want it at 1350, dose enough to add 50ppm. There is no harm in it.

Going forward, just dose magnesium at a ratio of 1-2ppm for every 20ppm calcium you dose or every 2.8 dKH

Ok. A calibrated refractometer can work, the only issue is hobby calibration solutions are not great. I think there are two reasonable options.

1) assume your salinity is correct.

2) if you have an accurate scale to measure grams, make a diy refractometer calibration solution with table salt. Calibrate your refractometer and check your salinity.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/
With either option, assume your Mg is about 1300. Since you want it at 1350, dose enough to add 50ppm. There is no harm in it.

Going forward, just dose magnesium at a ratio of 1-2ppm for every 20ppm calcium you dose or every 2.8 dKH alkalinity you dose.

my mag is 1200 kh 10.2 cal 400