Magnesium in ReefersBest salt?

[Delphinus]

Ok so I tested my RBS tonight on 24g of new saltwater and came up with Mg=825.

I had to extrapolate a little to come up with 825. I tested with Elos and if you've been following my other thread about Mg I came up with a theory that it can't read less than 900. My first test came out at 900.

I then added 16, 15ml scoops (so 240ml) of Chemmaster's Mg mix, let it mix and tested again. 1050. Added another 16 and tested again. 1275. So a step up of 225, and assuming a linear relationship that means the first reading should have been 1050 - 225 = 825.

I guess my only question now is .. how absurd is this? I have to dump massive amounts of Mg into the tanks now to bring them back to seawater levels. I wonder how much the level can be raised safely each day. I'm going to aim for about 40 per day I think.

[Delphinus]

Oh, incidentally, I've used D-D before and tested Mg and came up with 900 (although now I wonder if it may have been less and I didn't realize it). I realize D-D has changed and things are better now but this is now the second "premium" brand of salt that I've been disappointed with. I think MY next salt will be .. whatever I get the best deal on. And I test the heck out of it at first to know what needs to be adjusted on it.

[Myka]

My IO has 1280 ppm, and only costs $40 a bucket, so the $0.12 to dose the Mag doesn't hurt so bad.

[Delphinus]

Yeah, yeah, rub it in. Nothing like rubbing SALT into the wounds, har har har.

I think the more important takeaway is never take anything for granted. Just because the bucket or box says a parameter is "X" doesn't mean it is, test it and confirm before going through the whole batch.

[Myka]

I test every new bucket of salt no matter what brand. I find each bucket varies quite a lot. Actually, to take a bit of salt out of your wounds, my newest bucket of IO only has 1180 ppm Mg. I'm going to mix up the bucket real good tomorrow, and try testing it again because I haven't had a bucket that low before. The Calcium is testing high at 400 ppm too, so that's weird because IO is usually 360-370. Or maybe I've been away from my tanks too long over winter and I forgot how to test!!!

[Delphinus]

Weird that one is lower and one is higher. It could be a mixing up thing. Every new bucket I now shake around for 5 minutes before using. I don't know if it's really making it more homogenous but at least I feel I am "doing something about it."

I've always tested Ca and Alk but guess I got complacent with Mg. I hate testing. Even tonight, I burned through an hour testing and adjusting my makeup water and letting it remix. I could have been watching a stellar TV show like Supernatural. Ugh. I watched another episode of that show, and there's yet another hour of my life I want back. Sam and Dean, you guys are no X-Files. I'm not sure why I bring that up. I guess it's something I've been wanting to get off my chest. Crap, there I go using my outside voice again. Stupid salt.

[Myka]

LMAO! You're one of my favourite CanReef personalities... 3 more to go Tony!

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Ok so I tested my RBS tonight on 24g of new saltwater and came up with Mg=825.

I had to extrapolate a little to come up with 825. I tested with Elos and if you've been following my other thread about Mg I came up with a theory that it can't read less than 900. My first test came out at 900.

I then added 16, 15ml scoops (so 240ml) of Chemmaster's Mg mix, let it mix and tested again. 1050. Added another 16 and tested again. 1275. So a step up of 225, and assuming a linear relationship that means the first reading should have been 1050 - 225 = 825.

I guess my only question now is .. how absurd is this? I have to dump massive amounts of Mg into the tanks now to bring them back to seawater levels. I wonder how much the level can be raised safely each day. I'm going to aim for about 40 per day I think.

SeaChem indicates that we are not suppose to add more then 25 gramsper 20 gal (80L) Mg per day.
I bought 2.2 kilos LOL

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I guess my only question now is .. how absurd is this? I have to dump massive amounts of Mg into the tanks now to bring them back to seawater levels. I wonder how much the level can be raised safely each day. I'm going to aim for about 40 per day I think.

I used to add about 200/day with no problems.. Now watch you Ca levels because as you bring up your MG they will go up also.

Steve