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Magnesium:
Why test?
The popular red calcareous algae and invertebrate animals in reef aquariums which form calcareous skeletons
or shells need sufcient quantities of magnesium as well as calcium to form healthy skeletons and shells. In
addition to hard corals this group includes soft corals, sponges, sea urchins, crustaceans, bivalves, slugs etc.
The magnesium content in marine aquariums should be approximately 1200 mg/l as measured during the JBL
Expedition in the Indo-Pacic.
Help for low levels:
Magnesium levels which are too low can be easily and safely increased with JBL MagnesiuMarin.
Calcium:
Why test?
Lower animals (corals, shellsh etc.) and calcareous algae in sea water require sufcient levels of calcium for
healthy growth. The natural calcium level of the sea is 390 - 440 mg/l. In order that the organism can make
the best use of the calcium, hydrogen carbonate must also be present in the water in the correct proportions.
For this reason the addition of calcium compounds without hydrogen carbonate, such as calcium chloride, is
pointless. A calcium level of 400 - 440 mg/l has proved to be the optimum in marine aquariums.
Help for low levels
Calcium levels which are too low can easily be raised with JBL CalciuMarin. JBL CalciuMarin contains the
correct proportions of calcium and hydrogen carbonate, so that the targeted organisms have the best possible
access to the calcium. Calcium reactors (available at specialist pet shops) also help attain the physiologically
correct increase in calcium levels.
Procedure:
NOTE: Always hold the dropper pointing vertically downwards when taking drops from drop bottle.
Exterior surface of dropper should be dry. Avoid bubbles. Failure to follow with these precautions may
lead to deviations in the test results.
Measuring the total Mg + Ca:
1. Swill out the measuring vessel several times with the water to be tested.
2. Fill the measuring vessel to the 5ml mark with the water to be tested. We strongly recommend that the
enclosed syringe is used for exact results.
3. Add 5 drops of reagent 1 and shake to mix. Wait 1 minute.
4. Add Mg reagent 2 one drop at a time, counting the drops, and shake after each drop until the colour changes
from red via grey-brown to green. The number of the drops used multiplied by 120 gives the sum of the Mg
+ Ca content in mg/l. Example: 14 drops Mg reagent 2 = 1680 mg/l Mg + Ca
5. The magnesium content is found by subtracting the calcium content. Example: Ca 400 mg/l (test as described
below). 1680 mg/l minus 400 mg/l gives a magnesium content of 1280 mg /l.
Note: If a more precise result for the total Mg + Ca is required, 10 ml of sample water should be used in Step 1
and the number of drops in Step 4 multiplied by 60. All other steps remain as described above.
Measuring Ca:
1. Repeatedly rinse the measuring vessel with the water to be tested.
2. Fill the measuring vessel to the 5ml mark with the water to be tested. Use the enclosed syringe for exact
results.
3. Add 5 drops of reagent 1 and shake it to mix. The test result is not affected by any clouding which may occur.
Wait 1 minute.
4. Add 1 small measuring spoonful (narrow end of the enclosed double-ended spoon) of reagent 2 and shake it
until the powder has dissolved.
5. Add reagent 3 one drop at a time, counting the drops, and shake it after each drop until the colour changes
from pink via violet to blue. The number of drops needed multiplied by 20 gives the calcium content in mg/l.
Example: 12 drops of reagent 3 = 240 mg/l.
Our tip for environmentally-friendly users
All reagents for JBL test sets are available from your retailer as reasonably-priced rell packs!
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