Low Magnesium in H20+

Answer:

Hi Shaun

Every batch of H20+ is tested before it leaves the factory; we also keep a
sample of every batch if we need to cross reference your results.

99% of low readings can be traced to either:

1) Magnesium settlement during transit.

It is very important that you mix the bucket of salt well before making up
your first water change from a new bucket and testing for Magnesium.

During transport heavier elements can settle out due to vibration in
transit. This can result in lower than expected levels if taking salt from
the top of the bucket.

Empty half the bucket out into another clean bucket and give them both a
good mix before returning them to the original bucket and bringing both
halves together.

2) Low salinity

What method are you using to test for salinity and what salinity do you use?

 A low salinity of less than 1.025sg (natural sea water levels) will result
in a lower concentration of magnesium and other elements in the mix. Equally
if you are using an ATC refractometer you need to bring the mix to 1.026 as
the refractometer is calibrated at 20C. Once the water is added to the
aquarium and reaches aquarium temperature (around 25C) the SG will drop to
1.025 as salinity is temperature dependant.

Further reading can be found here:

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/refractometer-temperature-compensation

If using a swing arm you may find that it is giving you inaccurate readings
as they are notoriously inaccurate.This may be giving you an incorrect
salinity resulting in low Magnesium and other elements including Calcium and
Alkalinity.

3) Test kit

What test kit are you using?

Magnesium test kits can give variable results. We have found the Tropic
Marin Calcium/Magnesium test kit to be the most reliable and accurate when
testing Magnesium. Other makes have been more than 10% out when compared
with our Lab results.

4)    How long are you mixing the salt?

If the salt isn’t mixed well for at least 24 hours it can give inaccurate
test results as elements are not properly mixed and in solution.

5)  How do you add your salt?

If salt is added too quickly to the water you may find calcium precipitates
and removes some Magnesium from the mix. Add the salt over an hour or two
and not all at once.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards Tony