Low mag levels in Reef Salt

[waynecav]

I've been using Seachem Reef Salt for around 2 years on my reef tank and think it's a great product.

I test my fresh salt mix every week prior to my water changes using Salifert test kits for

Magnesium
Calcium
Alkalinity
Nitrate
PH

Salinity is tested with a refractomter and Po4 is tested with a D&D Merck High sensitivity test kit.

I monitor my results on a spread sheet weekly and get these average levels when the salt is mixed to 35ppt and 25-26 degrees for 24 hours with a power head and heater, I give the bucket a good shake prior to mixing to mix all settled elements

Calcium, this is quite high in this bucket and has been around 530ppm each week

Alkalinity 9.6 - 9.9

Nitrate 0

Po4 0

Ph 8.3 - 8.4

The main issue I have is Magnesium which differs week to week from as low as 1200 - 1290 and find I have to buffer the mix each week to 1380 ish in order to keep my tank at 1350.

Will you be addressing the low mag issue at any point as I know a fair few people who use your salt and say the only thing they have a problem with is the magnesium levels?

Other than that I love the product but would love it more if the magnesium issue was addressed, especially now as brands like D&D H2Ocean, KZ reefers best etc have raised there magnesium levels after feedback from customer.

Regards

Wayne

[LabTest57]

I'm sure that if you have your magnesium levels higher than your calcium levels - 1200 to 1400 ppm, because calcium is naturally high in ocean water - you won't have any problems. Magnesium controls calcium carbonate build-up and calcium intake by corals,etc.

[Tech Support JS]

Wayne,

Thank you for your question. Typical results when using Reef Salt should yield magnesium levels in the 1200-1300 range, which is an excellent level to maintain ionic balance. With continuing research and feedback, it is possible that we will change the amounts. As of now, 1200-1300 is above the standard and should yield positive results. Thanks again and have a great day!

[waynecav]

I'm sure that if you have your magnesium levels higher than your calcium levels - 1200 to 1400 ppm, because calcium is naturally high in ocean water - you won't have any problems. Magnesium controls calcium carbonate build-up and calcium intake by corals,etc.

My tank parameters are very stable:

Mg 1350
Cal 430
Alk 9.4
Temp 26
Salinty 35ppt
Nitrate 1
Phosphates 0.008
PH 8.15 - 8.35 (am/pm)

I do dose sodium bicarbonate 4 days a week to maintiain alkalinity levels and Calcium Chloride mid week between water changes to boost Ca levels.

Mag stays stable between water changes but that is due to me having to boost the levels in my fresh salt/ro mix with Mg Chloride/Mg sulphate.

[Tech Support JS]

Thanks again for your post and as I said, with continued research and input we will continue to strive for the best products possible. Have a great day!