A successful mixed reef aquarium is dependent upon maintaining the appropriate water parameters that in turn provide the stable environment required by the corals. Although all the elements found in natural seawater have an important role in providing the optimal water parameters, a few of them have a more significant role in the overall stability. These elements are the foundation of the reef environment and they include the three major elements, Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Bi-Carbonates (HCO3).
These 3 elements have a major effect on the water chemistry (pH stability, Alkalinity, sea water ionic strength) and on many of the aquarium inhabitants’ biological processes such as skeleton formation of fish and corals, ions exchange and photosynthesis. Although regular monitoring of all three foundations elements is important for the stability of the aquarium, it is recommended to test for Magnesium on a weekly basis.
For easy and accurate alkalinity and calcium measurements it is highly recommended to use Red Sea’s Marine Care pH/Alkalinity and Calcium test kits.
Red Sea’s Marine Care magnesium test kit provides an easy measurement of magnesium with a resolution of 50 or 100 ppm as desired.
| Accuracy |
Range |
Test Type |
No. of Tests |
| 100 ppm |
∞ |
Titration |
75 |
| 50 ppm |
∞ |
Titration |
38 |
