Does anyone in AR test their magnesium levels? I've had some trouble with keeping ph and alkalinity in line in my aquarium. It's probably due to my hair algae and cyanoalgae nuisance right now, but some other websites have also suggested magnesium. I've been slowly getting rid of these pesky growths, because the rest of the tank is doing fine and growing nicely. Magnesium testing is also supposed to be a little finnicky. Any comment on the tests out there?
Never tested it myself, but I do dose it. The reason Mag is important is it "dopes" the calcium carbonate crystals that try to form because of the high levels of calcium and alkalinity. If mag is not present or not enough of it, the calcium and alkalinity would just combine and would do no good for your critters.
Mag is very important for the reasons above with sps and lps in being able to build their skeletons, softies or fish could care less. I use a salifert test kit and it is no big deal, the test is easy to do. Mag should be around 1290, If you need to jack it up quickly you can use common old epson salts, it well raise it alot quicker then the high priced stuff, and requires little quanities. Once you get it to normal it well pretty much stay there if you are doing regular water changes. Some people in the northwest with really large systems don't do water changes and they have to dose mag. Unless you a running the no change water method your mag should be fine or close. cheers
