My magnesium drops to 1100

What is the best way to add with a big tank I looked at Hollywoods but it would cost too much with the size they sell it.

Can any body suggest a supply please I would like top quality magnesium

Magnesium chloride.

You'll probably need a fair amount (a few kg).

I think that APS chemicals in Auck can supply it. They generally only do 25kg bags min.

Layton

Ta for that should I ask for a grade

and is that the only magnesium I need Cracker said something about epsom salts once?

Also should I be adding it to keep it up to 1300 and how low is to low?

Never was a problem in my small tank used the liquid stuff from the LFS weekly.

Ta for that should I ask for a grade

and is that the only magnesium I need Cracker said something about epsom salts once?

Also should I be adding it to keep it up to 1300 and how low is to low?

Never was a problem in my small tank used the liquid stuff from the LFS weekly.

Look for food grade at least. Magnesium chloride is used a lot in farming, and that grade (to me) is unacceptable.

Epsom salts is Magnesium sulfate. Magnesium chloride is preferable to mag sulfate, as chloride is more abundant in salt water than sulfate, an skews the chemistry less. If you want to get technical you could use a balance of sulfate and chloride.

Layton

Yea that's what Cracker does so is it one to what?

Not very good at the chemistry stuff :-?

Around 100:3 Chloride:Magnesium, which is why I say go with Mg chloride, over sulfate.

Layton

Also should I be adding it to keep it up to 1300 and how low is to low?

Answer for this one please

Well Mg is the third most abundant element in the ocean at 1300 ppm so yes, it's probably worth keeping levels as close to that as possible.

Layton

That should be 100:15 above not 100:3, forgot about all those oxygens on the sulfate.

Thanks

I have to add about 200 grams of mag chloride to my tank at a time! GO through the stuff real quick.

Straight magnesium chloride is OK, but if you want to get sulphur & chloride ions balanced use 10 parts magnesium chloride to 1 part epsom salts.

I got a 25 kg sack of magnesium chloride from a local farm supplier, cost $18.00. Not sure about quality but it says food grade. Anyhow doesn't seem to have adverse effect in the tank.

They add it to food for cows getting milked, cos the milking removes more magnesium from them than our typical NZ soil can replenish.

Long as magnesium in the tank is above 1250 that's fine, don't go over 1450.

What I done now though is add some magnesium chips to the calcium reactor so only have to add the other stuff occasionally.

Be careful of the grade of epsom salts that you use as the cheeper grades contain ammonia. Well so i was told by another local reefer but i am sure someone will bite my head off if i am wrong. I now use Mag Chloride and it seems fine.

Dave

Theres only one place that does PURE Mag, thats Medchem in Mt albert.

$3-4.00 per kilo in minimum 25 kilo sacks.

HUMAN MEDICINAL GRADE.

I have been using it for 6 months. My corals love it.

Straight magnesium chloride is OK, but if you want to get sulphur & chloride ions balanced use 10 parts magnesium chloride to 1 part epsom salts.

I got a 25 kg sack of magnesium chloride from a local farm supplier, cost $18.00. Not sure about quality but it says food grade. Anyhow doesn't seem to have adverse effect in the tank.

They add it to food for cows getting milked, cos the milking removes more magnesium from them than our typical NZ soil can replenish.

Long as magnesium in the tank is above 1250 that's fine, don't go over 1450.

What I done now though is add some magnesium chips to the calcium reactor so only have to add the other stuff occasionally.

A. I think you mean Sulphate, not sulphur.....????

I dont bother with sulphates, as I do large water changes.

what is a good brand of epsom salts, and do u just get it from the supermarket??

Buy it from the chemist

ty fay

I am assuming that you add magnesium chloride to your top up water and add it to your sump?

How much do you add at a time / 100L?

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Use the above:

I add it in top up water and drip it in slowly.

Thanks this site is excellent.

See 'water chemistry calculators' section on the 'sticky' post at the top of the saltwater section for others

Anyone know if Medchem deliver? I've already sent an email asking them, save me driving out to St Lukes (mind you, I think Im heading out that way tomorrow :-? )

Beware of the calcium, (From medchem), if the lid is not sealed properly it turns to liquid!

Im dosing the liquid now!

Still ok, it just dissolves with the air.

I think that's any calcium chloride, it is very easily dissolved, and if exposed to moist atmosphere will absorb water from it and eventually turn mushy.