Interesting Magnesium Observation

[calkrog]

seachem does not contain the epsom salts, which contain mag sulfate, which is what kills the bryopsis. seachem contains mag chloride. but kent tech M does mag sulfate. I experimented for a while, started with seachem, it did not work, and after reading the whole 200pg thread on RC i read that only people using epsom and tech-m were successfull. so i tried tech m, and it works like a charm. but only on bryopsis, if you have regular hair algae it does nothing.

if you have nothing better to do... read away. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1113109

[Snappy]

Magnesium dosing should contain a balance of chloride & sulfate so epsom salts alone doesn't cut it.

[littlesilvermax]

Originally Posted by Snappy

Magnesium dosing should contain a balance of chloride & sulfate so epsom salts alone doesn't cut it.

TTBOMK partially true.

Is has been found before that some salts contain less then optimal sulphate levels, so epson dosing may not always be bad.

I always dose the mixed stuff though, which is almost 90% Magnesium chloride.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Snappy

Magnesium dosing should contain a balance of chloride & sulfate so epsom salts alone doesn't cut it.

Are you saying that a 50/50 mix of SeaChem and Epsom salts (or Kent Tech M) would be ideal for general reef supplementation? (Not including hair algae issues)



calkrog: Ya, I was following that thread when it was first made. I should go see what else they've discovered. Thanks for the link. The amount of Epsom salts that I have introduced to my tank has made a big difference in the amount of hair algae even within a few days. It's been a week now. Once I get the baby Bangers out of there my poor reef will be back to normal - without hair algae! It hasn't had hair algae since it first cycled, and even then it was just a tad. It's a GHA forest now!

[littlesilvermax]

I think that a 8:1 or 9:1 ratio (depending on salt used) is about the correct ratio of Magnesium Chloride:Magnesium Sulfate.

FWIW I can make whatever ratio you want, it is a lot cheaper then Seachem Magnesium.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by littlesilvermax

I think that a 8:1 or 9:1 ratio (depending on salt used) is about the correct ratio of Magnesium Chloride:Magnesium Sulfate.

FWIW I can make whatever ratio you want, it is a lot cheaper then Seachem Magnesium.

Thanks for the info. I'm really going to have to take a look into this. Honestly, I don't use much for suppliments, so cost isn't an issue.

[EmilyB]

Supplements.

[saltysurfer]

Is it possible to maintain a tank without adding to many chemicals?