Hello everone, I'm currently in the market for a new Magnesium additive for my 120 gallon Reef Aquarium. I unfortunately don't have very much experience with various chemicals since I have stuck with Kent Tech-M and would like to move away from the brand for no better reason then to find something better. I'm concerned with quality, potency of the dosage and price. What would you recommend? Thank you in advance for your assistance.
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What Magnesium additive would you use?
- Thread starter Jasonanatal
- Start date
Reply to Vangvace.
Vangvace, thank you for the vote.
vangvace said:
Vangvace, thank you for the vote.
Magflake is the cheapest and is probably what bulk reef supply is selling just repackaged. Get it now at your local hardware store.
Reply to Jceli728.
Jceli728, thank you for the vote.
jceli728 said:
Jceli728, thank you for the vote.
how would one know an approximate dose of mag flakes? or just add a little, test.... then repeat if neccessary?
From Bulk Reef supply you can get premixxed packets of Mag Cloride and Mag Sulfate (its a ratio of 5:3), or you can by tubs of both and mix yourself.
Mag Sulfate is Epson salts, but many of the over counter Epson salts have other preservatives and things in it.
Mag Sulfate is Epson salts, but many of the over counter Epson salts have other preservatives and things in it.
+1 - Bulkreefsupply.
Also, here is a handy little calculator for dosing.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
Also, here is a handy little calculator for dosing.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html
After about 15 recommendations for magnesium supplements from Bulk Reef Supply, I can't add much to that.
However, my question would be, why do you need to adjust magnesium?
Unlike calcium, it doesn't get depleted by the livestock.
I would suggest that if you are getting low readings, check a batch of newly mixed SW and see it that is also low in magnesium. If it is, you need a better quality of salt, not an additive. Some low quality salts do mix very low in magnesium, and in my opinion, if a salt can get they major component right, you can't trust them to get anything else about the salt correct.
However, my question would be, why do you need to adjust magnesium?
Unlike calcium, it doesn't get depleted by the livestock.
I would suggest that if you are getting low readings, check a batch of newly mixed SW and see it that is also low in magnesium. If it is, you need a better quality of salt, not an additive. Some low quality salts do mix very low in magnesium, and in my opinion, if a salt can get they major component right, you can't trust them to get anything else about the salt correct.
Magnesium does get depleted by our livestock, averaging out to 37ppm of Mg being used up for every 4ppm of Ca. In particular for coralline growth. Scientists are also starting to look at the effect of magnesium and cellular density in coral skeletons, though it's still early in it's research.
Also,
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm
Also,
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm