Heres tonights optional reading.

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

Magnesium in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

A Simplified Guide to the Relationship Between Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

Good catch, it is a typo, I meant 500.

Salt is a mixture of "marine environment - superior two part" and "red sea coral pro salt". Each one has what the other tends to lack and so it balances out pretty well.

As for KH reading, after getting an absolutely ridiculous reading (50 - the test tube was almost full!), I checked the exp. date and it is 6 yrs past it. Just bought that kit in April too... Used it 3-4 times with KH always high around 10-12.

I also dose Kalk, and occasionally 2 part, with all RO water added. My calcium always used to be around 400 even with the dosing, and suddenly its stopped dropping.

I don't suppose that a bottle of tank water would last a 4 hour trip into the city and that the water values would remain unchanged? I might as well get the pet store to check it as well as buy a working test kit, at least then I will know if my other kits are working (all other exp. dates are looking good).

I am pretty sure it is an imbalance as suggested, I just need to figure out how the balance currently sits.

Thanks for the great links!

I have been trying to find out where to get the MAG FLAKE's. Could some one please tell me what they are using for the MAG FLAKE'S, I know that Epson Salts is part one.

Someone said that they were able to get their city's Home Hardware to special order them a bag of Mag Flake. If that doesnt work for you, you can buy pharmaceutical grade magnesium chloride hexahydrate (spelling?) from Bulk Reef Supply or chemmaster (who's is already mixed with magnesium sulfate). I personally use a non-pharmaceutical grade ice melting salt called Absolute Zero Melt Down which is 100% magnesium chloride hexahydrate(?). So far I have not had any problems with it *knock on wood* and it only costs $25 for a 30 lbs bag.

when you are mixing the first part with the second part how much of each would you use? for say a 5gallon pail of fresh RO water

According to the first article mix the two together 7.1:1 (chloride:sulfate) if you like to measure by weight or 10:1 by volume. When I do my weekly 10% water changes I just add 1 cup of the mix per 10gal of water change water. Magnesium in my tank has been sitting between 1400 and 1500ppm for the past year by doing that.

What store did you find the Absolute Zero at?

I bought Absolute Zero from Amco Wholesale but they only exist in PG. You can try contacting the maker of Absolute Zero, Envirotech, to see if they have any distributors in your area.

A word of warning though, I contacted them before I began using the product to see what they thought about it being added to an aquarium. Their recommendation was that it should not be used because their manufacturing process does not meet pharmaceutical grade standards and there is a possibility for contamination. On a related note the manufacturer of Mag Flake also does not recommend its product be used in this way. It would cost me roughly $4 more per pound to purchase pharmaceutical grade so I am willing to take that risk.

BTW have you ever noticed that there is a warning on the Q-Tips box not to insert them into your ear canal? Companies just dont want to be sued.

http://www.amco.bc.ca/home.html
http://www.envirotechservices.com/me...absolute-zero/

Well I cant find any where in Red Deer that has magnesium chloride hexahydrate . So I might have to order from Bulk Reef Suplies.