Getting my Mag levels up to par....finally got it!!l

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

...
I was told about a brand of salt that comes in a 5 gal bucket like IO Reef Crystals but makes 240 gals of saltwater @ 1.026 but can't remember the brand. I think it might have been _______ salinity.
..

Hey Greg,
you are probably thinking about Aquavitro Salinity. It has a lower moisture content than other salts. Makes 225 gallons out of it's 5 gallon pail. But it's heavy - 65 lbs/pail.
That's what I'm using. Red Coral carries it.

[tooocolde]

Recently purchased mag chloride (Dead Sea Works) and calcium chloride (94-97%) from Univar. Service was excellent and worked out to just over $1/lb including shipping to Kamloops.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by MitchM

Hey Greg,
you are probably thinking about Aquavitro Salinity. It has a lower moisture content than other salts. Makes 225 gallons out of it's 5 gallon pail. But it's heavy - 65 lbs/pail.
That's what I'm using. Red Coral carries it.

Ya I think thats the one, thanks

Originally Posted by tooocolde

Recently purchased mag chloride (Dead Sea Works) and calcium chloride (94-97%) from Univar. Service was excellent and worked out to just over $1/lb including shipping to Kamloops.

I will have to check them out, thanks

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Sorry for the slow reply.

I use IO if for not other reason that it's been the most consistent salt for params in the 13 years I've been buying salt and it's cheap and I really have no cause for complaint with it overall. The #'s are on the low side for Ca and Mg but I know where they mix to, and they're not really THAT low. I add about 30ml CaCl (2 tablespoons) to my 24g water change water and about 240ml (16 tablespoons) of Mag mix (5:3 ratio so really 10 tablespoons Mg Cl and 6 tablespoons Mg sulfate).

Now this is going back a few years so I don't remember the details but I used a premium salt that was supposed to have high Mg, but didn't. When I finally figured out it was the salt pulling Mg down I tested a batch and it was like 700ppm. I had use cup after cup after cup for like 10 days straight to raise it 100ppm per day to get back to 1300ish. I forget how many cups it was in 100gallons of tank volume to raise it 100 but it was a LOT. I was sure I was making my saltwater tank into pure brine but it didn't. (It did raise the SG though, watch out for that. I'm still not clear on the concept if 1.025 with added Mg 1.027 should be compensated for down to 1.023 and added Mg to 1.025 or leave it at 1.027).

When adding Mg I just use whatever amount of RO it takes to dissolve whatever I'm adding. Around half gallon maybe? Something like that.

I think the salt you're thinking of is "Seachem Salinity". Heard good things about it.

Is there a Univar in Red Deer? If there is that might be a good place to get your bulk chems..

As a matter of fact the phone book says there is a Univar here.

Originally Posted by lastlight

What I've done so far is add my brs magnesium solution to my 10g ro/di and then add enough salt mix to hit 1.026.

Thats a good to Brett

[Delphinus]

In my defense, "Aquavitro" is still "Seachem" just their premium brand.

Anyhow I like the online batch# param lookup they offer, that's a great idea.

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Ya I think thats the one, thanks

[The Grizz]

So I added another 4 cups of ChemMasters mag mix tonight as well as some calcium as it was a little low as well.

[globaldesigns]

As I stated, I use Seachem and can say I have no issues with that brand for Mg, Str, Ca, ALK... But if anyone can recommend an even cheaper source of dry crystals?

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

In my defense, "Aquavitro" is still "Seachem" just their premium brand.

Anyhow I like the online batch# param lookup they offer, that's a great idea.

Not to mention this, copied directly from there site.

Other companies tell you what is supposed to be in their salt, but every bucket of salinity™ comes with a laboratory tested* batch specific, guaranteed analysis. Another first in the industry.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by globaldesigns

As I stated, I use Seachem and can say I have no issues with that brand for Mg, Str, Ca, ALK... But if anyone can recommend an even cheaper source of dry crystals?

Are you meaning for the mag mix stuff Rick?

[Coleus]

I think you can get a great deal on BRS stuff if you have a group buy. Even with high cost shipping, my personal order stuff from them work out very close to what it would cost me to get stuff from ChemMaster delivery to my door.

Plus, following their instruction has been worked out for me very well lately. I went from weekly testing to monthly testing and my params are still very good and stable. However can't beat that 1 dollar per pound tho.