Dosing Mg

[Reef Pilot]

Tested again today, and it came in at 1290 which makes more sense. My guess is that yesterday I may not have pulled in the test solution to the top mark in the syringe. I have tested Mg many times before, and never had a bad test, so a little strange that it would happen right after adding Mg.

Anyway, will add more MG today, and keep tracking it.

[Proteus]

I had the same issue with seachem mag and there calculator. I ended up cutting the recommended dose in half and making sure the tanks water mixed for 2 hours before retest

[Reef Pilot]

Yeah, it definitely doesn't mix easily. Just added another 125 grams this morning, and will test again tomorrow to see if it brings up my Mg. I bought the 600 gram size, so I might as well use it up.

[tang daddy]

You should usually test 6 hrs after dosing... Ideally 12 hrs as it will stabilize.

I dosed alk before and tested 1 hr after a larger dose. It skewed the test as it was sitting at 10dkh from 7 originally, tested 24 hrs later and it was at 7.5....

Conclusion, It is best to test the next day after dosing.

[Madreefer]

A cheap easy alternative is
50lb bag of Easy Start brand icemelter for your driveway $40
4kg jug of Epsom Salts $5
Mix it 11-1
I use 1/2cup per 5gallons of freshwater in my top up resevoir.
Been using this for a couple of years now. You can't really argue that it's unsafe for reef tanks as I learned this from whatcaneydo and well, look at pics of his tank

[Reef Pilot]

Well, I used up my 600 g Mg from Seachem, and managed to raise it from 1260 to 1350. Didn't seem to make any difference to my alk or Ca consumption and parameters, and my corals were not at all affected.

So will leave it for now, and see where it goes from her.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

A cheap easy alternative is
50lb bag of Easy Start brand icemelter for your driveway $40
4kg jug of Epsom Salts $5
Mix it 11-1
I use 1/2cup per 5gallons of freshwater in my top up resevoir.
Been using this for a couple of years now. You can't really argue that it's unsafe for reef tanks as I learned this from whatcaneydo and well, look at pics of his tank

Well, my Mg didn't stay up for very long, back down to 1260 now. So I think I am going to have to get serious about dosing.

Where do you buy this Easy Start ice melter? And where is a good place to get a 4 kg jug of Epsom salts?

I don't use a top off reservoir. After mixing the Easy Start and Epsom Salts (11:1), can I add that mixture (after figuring out the appropriate amount) to my Ca dosing? Or do I need to set up a 3rd dosing pump? And what time of day is it best to dose Mg? Currently I dose Ca during the day and Alk at night.

[Madreefer]

I picked up mine from Amco. The epsom salts from Shoppers Drug Mart. I add a half a cup of the mixture to 5G of freshwater for my reservoir. Stays consistant at 1350. Whatcaneyedo is the dude that got me on to this. I'm pretty sure he adds a cup of the mixture to his water change but dont quote me on that. Shoot him a PM he's pretty helpful. Good luck bro

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

can I add that mixture (after figuring out the appropriate amount) to my Ca dosing? And what time of day is it best to dose Mg? Currently I dose Ca during the day and Alk at night.

Not a good idea to mix the Mg and Ca. The Mg will cause Ca sulphates to precipitate and ruin your Ca mix so you'll need a third doser. But many get by with hand dosing as it's not so much once balanced
You can dose the Mg anytime between your other dosing. Just pick a time dead center between your Ca and Alk timers - day or night is fine as far as I know
And if you're not needing to add much (once balanced), you could get by with a cheap daily drip setup, or just dump it in
I don't even know anyone with a dedicated Mg doser ... but I'm sure there's lots out there
I know if I had to dose it I'd have another pump