testing for Mg, epsom salts, new discovery!

Today after reading thru the Hagen Nutrafin Q&A at their site, I discovered I can test for magnesium by using my calcium test information and my alkalinity test kit. Here is the link if you use the Hagen products.

http://hagen-us.custhelp.com/cgi-bi...2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9bWFnbmVzaXVt&p_li=&p_topview=1

This am here is where I am at;
pH < 8.2
alkalinity 5 dKh (90 ppm)
salinity 28
calcium 460-480
mag 890

I started to try to raise the alkalinity with a product from DT's. As for the mag I followed the instructions from Bulk Reef supply for epsom salts.
Question: how soon can I test for mag after adding the epsom salts? Is there a reason to wait?

I'm assuming I need to track my parameters daily for a while, any other suggestions?

 

I would wait a couple of hours to allow everything to settle down. I have dosed alk. before and tested about 20-30 mins. later and found much higher readings then a few hours later.

 

thanks gman,

One other thought occured to me, since alk, Mg, and cal are all related, I think I should be testing for each (alk and Mg) after either addition (the DT's and the epsom salts) .

 

Most pH alk or other big 4 test should be taken several hours after dosing, preferrably the next day. I might dose in the afternoon then test the next morning. IME I would just spend the extra, what $20 or so and buy a Mg test. Also, no offense to Rolf Hagen but they don't have the reputation as a very good test kit.
With your alk and Mg that low, what salt are you using? Let me guess IO or RC?

Happy testing!

 

THanks Doc Frag,

Hagen is what is available locally, so that is what I have, but will order something else. Yes I am using Reef Crystals. Can you suggest a better brand for salt? testing kits?

I recall a post here that listed the salts and their analysis of certain contents but cannot find it, wish I had bookmarked the post.

Thanks
Onjinsan

 

I switched over to dd's because I got tired of all the swings in RC. I'm on my fourth bucket and it has been dead on the advertised numbers every time. D-D H2Ocean Magnesium Pro PLUS Salt Mix 6.6kg Bucket

 

Here is the older Shimek one.....
The Toxicity of Some Freshly Mixed Artificial Sea Water; A Bad Beginning For A Reef Aquarium by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
This bio assay has received flack over the years but the people bad mouthing it never really published a decent rebuttal... It was more like a childish, well HE'S wrong type of thing. Their rebuttal has long been discredited!

Here is also a thread on RC in regards to salt...(Not trying to send any of you there!)
Reef Central Online Community - A General Guide to Salt Mixes
I tested most of these salts because I honestly am one who A. ONLY TRUSTS MYSELF and B. THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING AND A GOOD EXPERIENCE!
I was very close to the numbers billy came to with a few exceptions, the Crstal Sea and Bioassay formula were about 20ppm higher in Ca. Coralife was seriously higher in Ca, almost 60 ppm, Red Seas Ca was 420ish while the RSCP was about 470ish and the dkH was higher about 12-13. I really SHOULD just make my own chart for OUR reference here!
To answer your questions, Tropic Marin, Salifert or Elos(never used) always seem to be accurate with the TM being VERY precise.
As far as salt RS, RSCP, Seachem, D-D are good.
Oh and regards to billys test the RCs hasn't been that high in either my tests or fellow reefers who have tested it!!!!

Happy testing!!

 

Thanks Doc,

You pointed out the thread I was looking for. Here is my plan; get an RO/DI unit (not that I think my problem is caused by water but seems to help lots of things and right after I can figure out if I need a plumber or not) start trying out a few different salts.

 

Shimek knows his stuff...just had to add that

 

He does, he is very intelligent man! His contributions to our hobby have been tremendous!