How to measure marine magnesium in an aquarium with Hanna Checkers

Monitoring the levels of marine magnesium in your saltwater aquarium is an important part of maintaining the health of your fish. The HI-783 Marine Magnesium Checker provides a clear, electronic reading of this parameter, allowing you to make informed changes to your water quality. Read on now to learn how to measure marine magnesium in your tank with a Hanna Checker:

Steps for measuring marine magnesium with a Hanna Checker

The HI-783 Checker is designed for the daily and weekly measurement of magnesium within saltwater and coral reef aquariums. The testing results are displayed on the large digital LCD screen, providing complete clarity about the condition of the water. 

Here’s how to measure magnesium in a marine fish tank using this Checker and the included reagents:

1. Press the button on the Checker, fill the vial with 4mL of reagent A and then add 5mL of water sample, inverting the vial to mix before inserting it into the Checker
2. Press the button to ‘Zero’ the Checker before removing the vial
3. Add the contents of a single packet of IND reagent into the vial and gently shake for 30 seconds to dissolve before you place it back in the Checker
4. Press and hold the button to start the timer and wait for your results in ppm

Why measure magnesium in marine fish tanks?

Magnesium is a vital parameter for saltwater tanks that contain corals, acting as a buffer to maintain suitable levels of calcium and alkalinity in the tank. This buffer provides corals with the necessary resources to grow and thrive. Measuring magnesium can ensure this parameter stays in the safe 1,200-1,400 ppm range.

When magnesium falls below the recommended levels, the pH of the water in your coral reef aquarium can become low in addition to reduced calcium levels. Using a digital Checker to monitor the magnesium within your marine aquarium provides valuable information, enabling you to make informed choices when dosing the water to provide the ideal conditions for your corals and fish. 

Why use an electronic tester for reef aquariums?

A digital tester like a Hanna aquarium Checker is a practical and reliable way to get clear results from measurement, providing the information needed to make precise changes to the water within your fish tank. One of the key problems with test strips vs digital testers is the lack of clarity in results, requiring personal perception to determine the condition of the water in your reef aquarium.

Checkers provide peace of mind by removing the need for guesswork when testing your tank water. The LCD screen displays results with no ambiguity, allowing you to plan water dosing, cleaning and water changes accordingly, maintaining the health of the plants, corals and fish within your aquarium.

Buy Hanna Checkers online

Hanna stocks a wide range of digital aquarium Checkers, available online now with next-day delivery. Our Checkers range covers all key parameters for water quality in freshwater and marine fish tanks, including dKH alkalinity, ammonia and nitrate.

Shop Hanna Checkers online here.