Raising Mg

[Ruth]

Bev have you ever checked out your newly mixed salt water for Mg? That seems like a pile of it to go through. I run calcium reactors on my 2 large systems but not on my 44g, 24g or 12g and rarely do I have to suppliment mg. I was using formula salt which tested at about 1200 for mg but am switching to Tropic Marin and Seachem salt which I have not tested newly mixed up water yet.

[Beverly]

Ruth,

Am using Kent salt, which I understand may be low in Mg. Haven't tested it, though, after mixing up a batch of NSW.

Also, don't have Ca reactors on any of my tanks. Heck, don't even skim or have sumps. Very low tech operations in our reefs. Rely on hands on work to keep our BB tanks in shape. Should take some pics of them and post to the new thread. They look great. No nuisance algae in any of the tanks. Corals, BTAs and frags are all doing very well

[Psyire]

I just tested my Kent salt batch for Mg.

I mixed up about 18g @ 78F & 1.025. My Mg was right around 1220ppm. (Salifert) This I imagine would be alittle higher if I was mixing to 1.026

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by Psyire

I just tested my Kent salt batch for Mg.

I mixed up about 18g @ 78F & 1.025. My Mg was right around 1220ppm. (Salifert) This I imagine would be alittle higher if I was mixing to 1.026

Thanks for sparing me doing the test

So it would appear that my systems utilize a lot of Mg.

I wonder how many people actually test and record Mg levels in their tanks and how much they dose to top up their levels when they test low???

[Ruth]

I test for calcium, Alk/hardness and mg. every 2 weeks when I do water changes. If my mg. is a little low I dissolve a couple of heaping tablespoons in a glass of tank water and add it to my sump and then test again and repeat if necessary. All my test kits are Salifert and I replace them every 6 months whether they are used up or not. My 44g cube which has SPS, LPS and softies in it I think I have only had to add mg. once in the last 6 months.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Beverly

I wonder how many people actually test and record Mg levels in their tanks and how much they dose to top up their levels when they test low???

Me, I include Mg in my bi-weekly tests and I correct it then and there if it is below 1350.

Steve

[danny zubot]

Good thread! Anyone out there using Epsom salts for Mg supplimentation? It would be by far the cheepest way to do it. Also, I've had this lingering question for a while about ARM media. I don't have a Ca reactor, but would would the effects be of throwing ARM media in a filter bad in my sump?

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

Good thread! Anyone out there using Epsom salts for Mg supplimentation? It would be by far the cheepest way to do it.

Read the Mg article. It will tell you why not to use Epsom salts alone to raise Mg.