Why is my Mg always so low?

[fishytime]

Try using this http://www.reeftime.com/reef-chemistry-calculator.asp ....it will tell you what you need to dose of each chemical to get your parameters balanced

[kien]

Your Calcium is 1500ppm ?? Wow, I have never seen anyone run calcium that high. Is that just how it comes out in your Salt Water mixes or do you dose to get your Calcium to that level?

[Delphinus]

Oooh ... good catch Kien. Calcium can't be 1500 that sounds way too high. I thought you meant 500 which is still quite high but not impossibly so. As for adjusting Mg you should be able to adjust by 100 per day, when I target Mg in my tanks I'll go whatever amount gets me a 100-150 rise in Mg and then just repeat that daily until I've hit 1400.

[whatcaneyedo]

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

[c_scherer123]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

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

Thanks for the great links!

[The Grizz]

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.

[whatcaneyedo]

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.

[the marine apprentice]

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

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

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.

What store did you find the Absolute Zero at?

[c_scherer123]

Originally Posted by kien

Your Calcium is 1500ppm ?? Wow, I have never seen anyone run calcium that high. Is that just how it comes out in your Salt Water mixes or do you dose to get your Calcium to that level?

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.