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I posted this in the meeting thread but since I spent the time to do it, I wanted to repost it for visibility purposes.
Part I - Importance of Mg
Magnesium is essential to the ability to maintain Ca, Alk, and pH.
Magnesium can maintain in solution in much higher levels than Ca or Sr due to being higher up in the same column on the periodic table (i.e. more soluble).
High magnesium levels serve as interference (orange ping pong balls) between Ca ions (white ping pong balls with white Velcro) and Carbonate molecules (white with black Velcro).
Magnesium blocks the Ca Carbonate reaction and allows Ca ions to remain in solution at higher ppm levels in the usable form to corals. Ca does not good to aquarists in CaCarbonate form (chalk/snowstorm/precipitate).
Part II - Why Seachem?
Magnesium Sulfate (Seachem) = Best (doesn't add to sulfates)
Epsom Salt = Magnesium Sulfate but may have additives that can hurt such as Ocean Breeze fragrance
Liquid Magnesium (Mg Chlorate?) = Good in a pinch. It is much more soluble than Mag Sulfate and boosts it much more quickly (higher concentration). However, it contains harmful organics (read ammonia and nitrates) due to the way it is produced. Not a good long term solution.
No magnesium additive at all = Tank crash waiting to happen
Part III - Buffers
Not all buffers are the same.
Buffers shift formulas over time.
Strongest is Sodium Bicarbonate that buffers to 8.9ish
That breaks down into Sodium Carbonate that buffers to 8.4ish
It then breaks down into [don’t remember] which buffers 7.8.
Finally goes to CO2 which is neutral.
What you add to the tank is not the only buffer in the tank. Other sources of acids and bases shift your pH for you. You have to override them to get where you want to be.
If your Mg is good and you are still not able to raise your pH to the proper levels, then you should call Seachem Tech Support to pinpoint the source of the other buffer that is controlling the tank.
I know the third section isn't making sense but I am doing all this off memory and please someone correct all this.
Part IV - Q&A
Don't remember them all but this one I remember since I didn't know it.
Are high Ca levels required for softies (ie shrooms, leathers, zoas) growth?
To some degree it helps, but iodine levels are much more important for softie growth.
Part V - FREE Seachem Magnesium supplements for everybody!<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">!! :yay: :thumbs: :up: </span></span>
Part I - Importance of Mg
Magnesium is essential to the ability to maintain Ca, Alk, and pH.
Magnesium can maintain in solution in much higher levels than Ca or Sr due to being higher up in the same column on the periodic table (i.e. more soluble).
High magnesium levels serve as interference (orange ping pong balls) between Ca ions (white ping pong balls with white Velcro) and Carbonate molecules (white with black Velcro).
Magnesium blocks the Ca Carbonate reaction and allows Ca ions to remain in solution at higher ppm levels in the usable form to corals. Ca does not good to aquarists in CaCarbonate form (chalk/snowstorm/precipitate).
Part II - Why Seachem?
Magnesium Sulfate (Seachem) = Best (doesn't add to sulfates)
Epsom Salt = Magnesium Sulfate but may have additives that can hurt such as Ocean Breeze fragrance
Liquid Magnesium (Mg Chlorate?) = Good in a pinch. It is much more soluble than Mag Sulfate and boosts it much more quickly (higher concentration). However, it contains harmful organics (read ammonia and nitrates) due to the way it is produced. Not a good long term solution.
No magnesium additive at all = Tank crash waiting to happen
Part III - Buffers
Not all buffers are the same.
Buffers shift formulas over time.
Strongest is Sodium Bicarbonate that buffers to 8.9ish
That breaks down into Sodium Carbonate that buffers to 8.4ish
It then breaks down into [don’t remember] which buffers 7.8.
Finally goes to CO2 which is neutral.
What you add to the tank is not the only buffer in the tank. Other sources of acids and bases shift your pH for you. You have to override them to get where you want to be.
If your Mg is good and you are still not able to raise your pH to the proper levels, then you should call Seachem Tech Support to pinpoint the source of the other buffer that is controlling the tank.
I know the third section isn't making sense but I am doing all this off memory and please someone correct all this.
Part IV - Q&A
Don't remember them all but this one I remember since I didn't know it.
Are high Ca levels required for softies (ie shrooms, leathers, zoas) growth?
To some degree it helps, but iodine levels are much more important for softie growth.
Part V - FREE Seachem Magnesium supplements for everybody!<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">!! :yay: :thumbs: :up: </span></span>
