Mag is too high?

Went to the LFS and had them test my water, they said every thing is great but my mag was really high and my alk was just a bit low but still in the OK range. What does it effect when the mag is too high and also what is the best way too lower it? When they checked my salenity with there hydrometer it was reading .029 , when I check it at my house with my hydrometer I get a reading of .026 I use the deep six brand ,can the hydrometers go bad? thanks for any help.

 

hydrometers are notorious for being off. They are calibrated at 60 degrees. I would get a refractometer they are way more accurate.

 

+2 on the refractometer.

 

You should obtain your own test kits and not rely on the LFS. If my Mg gets high I just don't dose any for a while and make sure I keep my Ca, dKH in line and it will come down.

 

what brand test kit do you use? and what tests will I need?

 

I actually have two for Mg, Salifert and Elos

 

I have to agree with Otty! what if the LFS is close when you need an emergency test?
then again if you have the ability of testing your water quality regularly, there is less chance of the parameters getting out of whack at a point given.

 

+3 on that. I am actually going to order one up tonight on eBay. I am in the mood to buy something.

For every 10 degree increase in water temperature above 60 degrees, you subtract .001 from a standard swing arm hydrometer. So a 1.028 reading at 80 degrees is actually 1.026.

+500

Nh4, NO2, NO3, pH, ALK, Ca, Mg, PO4, I. If you are running a Ca reactor, O2 as well. Salifert and Elos are top of the line. I have Salifert for most of mine and am going to replace my API here in the next few months.