Salifert Magnesium Test Kit

Salifert Magnesium Test Kit

Salifert Magnesium Test Kit is easy to use and accurate with measurements in steps of 30 mg/L. Results are not affected by strontium and calcium interference.

Magnesium is present in natural seawater in a fairly high concentration (1350 – 1500 mg/L) and is an essential element of chlorophyll which is necessary for photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis plants, algae and coral would not be able to survive. Magnesium also helps to maintain the correct combination of calcium concentration and alkalinity as it slows down the formation of calcium carbonate which can absorb many important trace elements within the aquarium.

Maintaining a correct magnesium concentration is therefore very important and is indirectly responsible for fast coral and calcareous algae growth by making it possible to maintain correct calcium and alkalinity figures. Magnesium is depleted by algae growth and also by the use of excessive kalkwasser or by going far beyond natural calcium, alkalinity, and pH values.

The Salifert Magnesium Test Kit can perform approx. 50 tests.

Directions for use:

Add with the 2ml syringe 2ml of water to the test vial.

Add 5 drops of Mg-1 and swirl gently for 5 seconds. Shake the little bottle before you add the drops, and make sure that you hold it vertically, so every drop is the same size.

Add one spoon of Mg-2 powder to the test vial and gently swirl for 10 seconds. You can find the spoon inside the Salifert Magnesium Test Kit.

Place the plastic tip firmly on the 1ml syringe and draw into this Mg-2 reagent until the lower end of the black syringe part is at the 1.00ml mark. Ensure that during this that the plastic tip is submersed in the Mg-2 reagent to avoid air bubbles being withdrawn instead of liquid.

An air layer between the end of the tip and the piston is normal. This is air that was present between the end of the top and the piston, this will not influence the result.

Start adding the Mg-2 reagent with the 1ml syringe to the test vial until the colour changes to grey or blue (whichever colour is observed first). Do this drop wise and swirl after each drop for a second or two. You can add apron 80% of the expected amount of Mg-2 all at once.

Hold the syringe with the tip facing upward and read the position of the upper end of the black syringe part. Each devision corresponds to 0.01ml. The magnesium concentration can be obtained from the table inside the package of the Salifert Magnesium Test Kit.

Natural seawater has a magnesium concentration of approx 1280 ppm. The concentration varies with salinity.

View our other Salifert items here.