Salifert vs...?

[saltyfins]

does anyone know another test kit, that makes sense? I am frustrated trying to figure out, what my Magnesium is. I use 1 full syringe, and 1.5 ml from a 2nd one. doesn't Hanna make this yet? so so frustrating. I even tried a different syringe, I googled and YouTubed it, and I cannot wrap my brain around it. gah! ;Rage

 

[blaxsun]

Red Sea, Aquaforest...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

does anyone know another test kit, that makes sense? I am frustrated trying to figure out, what my Magnesium is. I use 1 full syringe, and 1.5 ml from a 2nd one

Why do you think that doesn't make sense?

 

[Rjramos]

does anyone know another test kit, that makes sense? I am frustrated trying to figure out, what my Magnesium is. I use 1 full syringe, and 1.5 ml from a 2nd one. doesn't Hanna make this yet? so so frustrating. I even tried a different syringe, I googled and YouTubed it, and I cannot wrap my brain around it. gah! ;Rage

It’s too high. I really wish there was a way to get a faster change in color thus using less reagent. If you start with 1ml of water, but then you would have to add 2.5 drops and half a spoon of powder reagent. The difficulty being 2.5 drops.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It’s too high. I really wish there was a way to get a faster change in color thus using less reagent. If you start with 1ml of water, but then you would have to add 2.5 drops and half a spoon of powder reagent. The difficulty being 2.5 drops.

I know that means its high, but that doesn't mean it is wrong.

What salt mix are you using and have you tested that?

 

[Gtinnel]

I've never used any of their titration test (I'm just guessing this one is) but I generally like salifert.
If you are just wanting to try another brand for magnesium I use Red Sea Pro and like it. The only pain is that it takes a while because your supposed to shake the vial between every drop.

 

[saltyfins]

Why do you think that doesn't make sense?

because I cant figure out how to read the chart, vs what amount of agent I used. I use I/O reef crystals, but am changing to Red Sea black bucket. I just like how it mixes. I am going to start using AFR, so I am trying to figure out where I am on everything. My alk I just tested, and Hanna says it's 5.5 so I tested again. same. so then I tested another tank, and it read 7.9. so idk. I just cannot make sense on how to read the chart that comes with salifert vs. what I used.

 

[tomboys]

It’s too high. I really wish there was a way to get a faster change in color thus using less reagent. If you start with 1ml of water, but then you would have to add 2.5 drops and half a spoon of powder reagent. The difficulty being 2.5 drops.

I don't understand - do you want a test that tells you the correct number, or the number you want to hear? Because it sounds like you want the second of those. If you're getting a number that high, it's almost certainly because your water is high in magnesium. Changing to a different test kit won't change that.

 

[saltyfins]

I don't understand - do you want a test that tells you the correct number, or the number you want to hear? Because it sounds like you want the second of those. If you're getting a number that high, it's almost certainly because your water is high in magnesium. Changing to a different test kit won't change that.

ok. You're not hearing what I am making clear as mud. I CANNOT figure out what my numbers are. I thought it was high also...but I'd like to know exactly how high. I'm not looking to find something to "tell me what I want to hear" I am looking to find something easier to understand, so that I can address it if it's high OR low. I should assume, then, if it's over 1ml syringe, it's too high? but that still doesnt tell me in terms I can understand...the number, should someone actually ask me. I am not new to reefing. Not at all. I am however new to these test kits. well, sorta. I havent been able to figure them out much at all, because of either colors, or the numbers dont add up, in a way I can understand. ;Shy

 

[saltyfins]

I've never used any of their titration test (I'm just guessing this one is) but I generally like salifert.
If you are just wanting to try another brand for magnesium I use Red Sea Pro and like it. The only pain is that it takes a while because your supposed to shake the vial between every drop.

I have a hard time reading that kit too. Idk. if my LFS used anything other than API, I'd ask for their help. I will search out more internet videos I guess. there's got to be someone other than myself, that doesnt understand how to read this. I cannot fix things, if I cannot read the tests.

 

[Reef.]

does anyone know another test kit, that makes sense? I am frustrated trying to figure out, what my Magnesium is. I use 1 full syringe, and 1.5 ml from a 2nd one. doesn't Hanna make this yet? so so frustrating. I even tried a different syringe, I googled and YouTubed it, and I cannot wrap my brain around it. gah! ;Rage

salifert is great for mag…what salt are you using, to need to fill the syringe again sounds as either your mag is sky high or you are doing the test wrong, most kits have the same syringe so changing kits wrong help.

 

[saltyfins]

salifert is great for mag…what salt are you using, to need to fill the syringe again sounds as either your mag is sky high or you are doing the test wrong, most kits have the same syringe so changing kits wrong help.

I did it twice on that tank. I will try again. What would make my mag that high? I am not dosing anything other than AB+. I use I/O reef crystals

 

[Reef.]

I did it twice on that tank. I will try again. What would make my mag that high? I am not dosing anything other than AB+. I use I/O reef crystals

doing the test wrong or the wrong salinity in the tank.

Have you tried just testing your fresh salt mix and seeing if you get the reading the salt comes in at on the bucket? Around 1300 a believe it should be.

 

[saltyfins]

salifert is great for mag…what salt are you using, to need to fill the syringe again sounds as either your mag is sky high or you are doing the test wrong, most kits have the same syringe so changing kits wrong help.

also, Calcium was 425, and alk was low LO

doing the test wrong or the wrong salinity in the tank.

Have you tried just testing your fresh salt mix and seeing if you get the reading the salt comes in at on the bucket? Around 1300 a believe it should be.

No. I am making water today, and will absolutley be doing this however. Calcium is 450, so I'm not understanding why I am running such high mag. Hopefully checking the new mix will show something. I run at 1.026 Mixed reef...slow growth TONS of coralline

 

[tomboys]

ok. You're not hearing what I am making clear as mud. I CANNOT figure out what my numbers are. I thought it was high also...but I'd like to know exactly how high. I'm not looking to find something to "tell me what I want to hear" I am looking to find something easier to understand, so that I can address it if it's high OR low. I should assume, then, if it's over 1ml syringe, it's too high? but that still doesnt tell me in terms I can understand...the number, should someone actually ask me. I am not new to reefing. Not at all. I am however new to these test kits. well, sorta. I havent been able to figure them out much at all, because of either colors, or the numbers dont add up, in a way I can understand. ;Shy

Personally, I would have thought that knowing it is off the chart is accurate enough, as once you're that high I wouldn't have thought that more accurate number would make that much difference.

 

[Reef.]

also, Calcium was 425, and alk was low LO

No. I am making water today, and will absolutley be doing this however. Calcium is 450, so I'm not understanding why I am running such high mag. Hopefully checking the new mix will show something. I run at 1.026 Mixed reef...slow growth TONS of coralline

sorry if I’m asking stupid question but I don’t know you so not trying to treat you are daft…you do know how to fill the syringe and read it? And where to read from? Also Some test kits you subtract what is left in the syringe from the starting amount to get the result, with salifert you don’t do that, you know to read the lvl at the 1ml marker from the top of the air bubble not the bottom?

 

[saltyfins]

Personally, I would have thought that knowing it is off the chart is accurate enough, as once you're that high I wouldn't have thought that more accurate number would make that much difference.

right. Until I say "my mag is high, and I need help" then we all, me included...would be interested to know how high? right? so that's what I was looking for. thats all.

 

[Gtinnel]

I have a hard time reading that kit too. Idk. if my LFS used anything other than API, I'd ask for their help. I will search out more internet videos I guess. there's got to be someone other than myself, that doesnt understand how to read this. I cannot fix things, if I cannot read the tests.

I just watched a YouTube video on using it and it seems very similar to the red sea. Is your issue that it never changes to a blue color or is it just figuring out the value because of it taking more than 1 syringe? I'm a little confused on how much it took because in your original post you said 1 syringe and 1.5ml from a second. Isn't the syringe only 1ml?

 

[saltyfins]

sorry if I’m asking stupid question but I don’t know you so not trying to treat you are daft…you do know how to fill the syringe and read it? And where to read from? Also Some test kits you subtract what is left in the syringe from the starting amount to get the result, with salifert you don’t do that, you know to read the lvl at the 1ml marker from the top of the air bubble not the bottom?

to be honest, at this point, I'm not even sure. I use 1 full syringe...then 0.2 of the next one. so I go by that. meaning 1.02 is this wrong? maybe I AM reading it wrong. that's why I am confused.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

right. Until I say "my mag is high, and I need help" then we all, me included...would be interested to know how high? right? so that's what I was looking for. thats all.

I think you are missing a critical piece of info:

When using two syringes, just add the corresponding magnesium values together to get the actual magnesium value for levels over 1 syringe.