How to add Magnesium.

[Katchupoy]

Ok,

I have been doing my dual drip system for my calcium and alkalinity. And it worked for me well for the past 4 weeks.

My question now is.... can I add magnesium to any of this mix so it will be included in the drip?

Im assuming that it is ok to add it to calcium mix. I just want to make sure.

Am i correct?

Thank you.

 

[DonW]

I wouldnt mix it. Just dump it in once a week or so.

Don

 

[Katchupoy]

oh ok... thanks.... so its ok to have a weekly fluctuations.

My mag is 1050.... so where do i peg this?
Is there a website out there that I can use for mag...
Im using this for my calc and alk... but what about mag...

http://24.19.183.184/myreef/misc/calciumcalc.htm

thanks again.

 

[matts125]

Dont dose the Mag with the alk or calc. I would wait at least 1-2 hrs after dosing calc to dose the mag...
BTW the Mag is best at 1300...

Matt

 

[Katchupoy]

Matt, Im not dosing calc or alk perse... it is being dripped 24/7. So what to do?

 

[DonW]

3 times ca is fine. 1050 is low and going to take alot of additive. Most are mg sulfate which is going to add of course sulfate. I'd bring it up with a few water changes then maintain it with the additive.

Don

 

[Katchupoy]

Thanks... Another question....Sorry.

My IO salt is in a low reading...
IO calc = 340
IO Alk = 9.6dkh

So what I do is add some additives to level it out to...
Calc = 420
Alk = 10dkh

But when I do this... My mix becomes cloudy... and then I wait to dissappear... But as soon as I added it to my tank... My tank will become cloudy for at least 20 minutes...

Why? Is this not good?

And should I still add mag to the IO salt together with other additives?

Thanks again..

 

[matts125]

the cloudyness is precip and it happens when the water is not ionically balanced...

Like Don said do a few WC's...

Matt

 

[DonW]

Thanks... Another question....Sorry.

My IO salt is in a low reading...
IO calc = 340
IO Alk = 9.6dkh

So what I do is add some additives to level it out to...
Calc = 420
Alk = 10dkh

But when I do this... My mix becomes cloudy... and then I wait to dissappear... But as soon as I added it to my tank... My tank will become cloudy for at least 20 minutes...

Why? Is this not good?

And should I still add mag to the IO salt together with other additives?

Thanks again..

I balance the IO just like you stated. I also add th mg liquid additive before doing a water change. What additives are you using?

Don

 

[Katchupoy]

right now im using all seachem powder versions. But will soon move to two part solutions kits from www.twopartsolution.com. Much cheaper I believe.

 

[MikeS]

if you have a drip of Ca and a carbonate source going 24/7, then you will pretty much have to drip Mg during that time anyway. Really, this shouldn't be a problem at all...I just wouldn't mix it beforehand with either the Ca or Alk, mix and drip it from a seperate container. Another habit that I've gotten into with Mg is to correct my new saltwater mix prior to a water change, based on the salinity of the new water. In doing this, I have found my Mg stays well within the ballpark and I don't have to suppliment the tank itself very often. One nice thing about Mg is that it is in abundance compared to Ca and carbonates, so really you have a decent range of effective Mg values.

MikeS

 

[Katchupoy]

Thanks to all... I will do several water change in the next week. Thanks again.

 

[scytale]

Is there a website out there that I can use for mag...
Im using this for my calc and alk... but what about mag...

http://24.19.183.184/myreef/misc/calciumcalc.htm

thanks again.

Here's a really great website for calculating CA/ALK/MG dosing:

http://reef.diesyst.com/

it's very striaght-forward, easy to use--and covers a whole array of different supplement manufacturers....