My magnesium is testing out to be 600, how bad is that?

I am using the Salifert Magnesium test kit, and it would appear that my Magnesium is at 600. How horrible is this? I have just started dosing, after testing of course, with Seachem Reef Advantage Magnesium and following the beginner intructions but if you read the advanced it says each does only raises it my 5mg/L!!! Don't I need it somewhere near 1,200 mg/L?

What should I do?

Thanks.

 

Retest or check for the expiration date.


luna

 

The expiration date is November 2012. I must be doing it wrong...Can I get some help from someon who uses this test on how to get only drops to fall from the 1 mL?

It seems really hard to get correct.

 

I agree... that just does not seem possible. New salt water has much more and it does not get consumed very vast. You could be low, but like 1100...1000... but 600????

It isn't "horrible". You will get things where you want. Don't sweat it, just get a good number and go from there.

 

Just read the instructions carefully and follow them. You did something wrong.


luna

 

I've done the test four times now and the same readings keep coming out...

I am having trouble with the step where you add the Mg-3 reagent because I am getting air between the black syringe end and the liquid I am pulling out.

Can anyone help me?

 

Add some magnesium I use simple old Epsom salts in a 30 at 600 its going to require about a 2 oz shot glass type measurement to kick it up .. Then wait a few hr or in the morn test it again if you dissolve the stuff in R/O water first it will get into solution faster .

Main problem with Mag that low is getting the Carbonates and Calcium to not try to drive the other down or out of solution totally , Thats about the major problem with mag levels thast low.

 

Step 1 is simple to do.
Step 2 Add 4 drops of MG-1 and swirl genylt for 30 seconds.
Step 3 Add one leveled spoonful of MG-2 powder and swirl for 10 seconds.
Step 4 If you place the syringe inside the MG-3 and lift up and down fast a couple of times, that will get rid of the little air that gets trapped at the top where the black rubber piston is. Start by adding one drop and swirl, another drop and swirl and so on until the color changes.




luna

 

Actually... you don't want to get rid of the air. With the syringe fully down, you draw up until the bottom of the rubber plunger is at the required amount. Then when you fully empty the syringe, it is empty and not full of that air volume.

You read your reading where ever the bottom of the plunger is, not where the liquid level is.

Getting rid of the air really does not make that much difference, but you only pull the plunger up to the required amount, and you only read the plunger level either way.

 

+1. I use this kit also and I never worry about getting the air out.