Reef status MAGNESIUM AND CARBONATE/BORATE ALKALINITY

Reef Status Magnesium Seachem – Magnesium and Alkalinity Test for Reef Aquarium

Reef Status Magnesium Seachem is a titration test kit designed to directly measure magnesium as well as total, carbonate, and borate alkalinity in reef aquariums. It is specifically developed for seawater and provides reliable measurements without chemical interferences.

Main Features

Concentration Benchmarks

The natural concentration of magnesium in seawater is about 1,300 mg/L. In aquariums treated with limewater, this value can drop between 600 and 700 mg/L. In reef aquariums, it is generally recommended to maintain magnesium between 1,200 and 1,400 mg/L.

Natural seawater has a total alkalinity of about 2.5 meq/L, of which 0.1 to 0.2 meq/L comes from borate. In reef aquariums, a total alkalinity between 4 and 5 meq/L, with a borate portion of 1.5 to 2.0 meq/L, is commonly sought to ensure pH and calcium stability.

Measurement Ranges and Precision

Magnesium Measurement Method

The magnesium test is based on an EDTA titration in the presence of a specific indicator, after coprecipitation of calcium and strontium. The sample changes from pink to blue. The color change marks the end of the titration and allows the concentration to be determined from the syringe graduations.

Alkalinity Measurement Method

Alkalinity is measured by acid titration of carbonate and borate in the presence of a pH indicator. The color transition occurs from blue to yellow. Total alkalinity is determined at pH 4, while borate alkalinity is measured at pH 6.

Validation with Reference Solution

The use of the reference solution is not necessary to perform the measurements. However, it allows verification of the test's reliability by replacing the aquarium sample with the provided reference sample.

Kit Contents