Magnesium

[jhutto]

When most people use two part plus magnesium they use a combination of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) and magnesium chloride to make the "magnesium" elements for additions. I use a calcium reactor for both the two part elements and magnesium but occasionally I need to add magnesium as it runs low or borderline low with the reactor.

Is it okay to just use the magnesium sulfate solution for occasional use? I also do
water changes of about 15% every week or so. I remember reading previously it could make the chemical ion balance off some if you use just the sulfate over time. BRS has a calculator for mag with just the mag sulfate.

Any ideas if that is good or not for mag sulfate only for occasional use?

 

[glxtrix]

I have use that for the 8 years I've been in the hobby and have not seen any major issues.

 

[jhutto]

Lee, what is the amount of cups per one gallon of RODI? BRS only
gives the mixing instructions with both both parts.

 

[glxtrix]

Joe, I have used this calculator for years:

http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html">http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html</a>

I honestly just take whatever is needed for where I want my mag to be and dump it into my sump. Is that good....I don't know, but it hasn't had any ill effects that I have noticed. Is it messing up the chemistry just using Epsom salts...perhaps, but again I haven't noticed any ill effects.

 

[jhutto]

Thanks got the calculator for amount to add. How many cups of the crystal to one gallon of RODI water. Need the mixing instructions as neither sites say that. Is it 5 or 7 cups of the crystal?

 

[glxtrix]

I actually never made it for 2 part dosing...I always just added the crystals into the sump directly. Again, maybe not the best method, but it seemed to work for me. Here are some mixing directions here:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#6">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#6</a>

But it says to mix the epsom with magnesium chloride hexahydrate (obv the correct method)

 

[grouper therapy]

glxtrix;827366 wrote: I actually never made it for 2 part dosing...I always just added the crystals into the sump directly. Again, maybe not the best method, but it seemed to work for me. Here are some mixing directions here:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#6">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php#6</a>

But it says to mix the epsom with magnesium chloride hexahydrate (obv the correct method)[/QUOTE]
Same here,

 

[glxtrix]

grouper therapy;827447 wrote: Same here,

Phew, now I don't feel so crazy :yay: