Is Magnesium Cloride supposed to be green?

[dragoneggs]

I am attempting to make a recipe for raising my magnesium levels by about 250ppm. I have a bag of 'Sno-Plow' driveway deicer made by Morgro, Inc. Looking at the MSDS claims to be a mixture of inorganic compounds:

Magnesium Chloride 7786-30-3 (ANHYDROUS)
Sodium Chloride 7646-14-5 as a Corrosion Inhibitor

The problem is this solution (Liquid-Fire TM) is green in color and I don't know what the additive is? The claim by the company is that it is less toxic than baking soda and is USDA approved. I have emailed the company for info but I doubt I will get a useful response.

Any thoughts? I assume this stuff is different than Mag Flake?

 

[DonW]

Mag flake is white, I couldnt tell you what is in it that makes it green.

Don

 

[mcvicker]

Magnesium Iron Silicate (Chrysolite) is green and the most likely source. But there could also be nickel chloride or cupric chloride in small amounts, however these would make the stuff worse than baking soda.

 

[dragoneggs]

I guess I might have to relegate this to my driveway only. I tried dissolving some in RO water heated it up and the green stuff leaves a blue residue on the top of the water and sides of pan. The color of the water is close to green antifreeze but a little lighter.

 

[returnofsid]

I used Dry-Z-Air. It's the equivalent of the Mag Pellets. Works great.

 

[dragoneggs]

I used Dry-Z-Air. It's the equivalent of the Mag Pellets. Works great.

I can't find any Magnesium Cloride anywhere local. Tried HD (several stores) Lowes, Sears... all say sold out or sent back to supplier as it is a seasonal product.

Any clues as to where I can get some. The green stuff I got is too scary to use.

 

[DonW]

I used Dry-Z-Air. It's the equivalent of the Mag Pellets. Works great.

I hope not, because its pelladow which is calcium chloride.

Don

 

[dragoneggs]

I hope not, because its pelladow which is calcium chloride.

Don

I can't find any Calcium Chloride for that matter. I just had to buy another $30 Reef Advantage which is a ripoff! My calc is a little low, Alk a little high but my mag is very low. I need to get balanced before I can bring my Ca reactor back on line. It won't move my Ca without raising my alk.

370 Ca
9.8 dkH
1010 Mg

I am having some trouble raising my Mg and I think it is because my alk is a bit high (relatively speaking).

 

[DonW]

I can't find any Calcium Chloride for that matter. I just had to buy another $30 Reef Advantage which is a ripoff! My calc is a little low, Alk a little high but my mag is very low. I need to get balanced before I can bring my Ca reactor back on line. It won't move my Ca without raising my alk.

370 Ca
9.8 dkH
1010 Mg

I am having some trouble raising my Mg and I think it is because my alk is a bit high (relatively speaking).

You can get drizair for ca additions at walmart or any camping or rv place. I would think even home depot would carry it year round since its not really a seasonal item. I have a few lbs of nigari (Mg.) left but I'm down in Lakewood.

Don

 

[dragoneggs]

You can get drizair for ca additions at walmart or any camping or rv place. I would think even home depot would carry it year round since its not really a seasonal item. I have a few lbs of nigari (Mg.) left but I'm down in Lakewood.

Don

Thanks, I will check them out. I may be crossing your path late next week on a trip to Oregon but I really don't want to postpone my mg supplement until then but will keep that in mind.

 

[returnofsid]

I think I meant Pelladow...lol. Anyway, yes you can get it in any department store in the RV section. This is actually the time of year when it's most available. Dry-Z-Air is used in RVs for de-humidifying purposes.

 

[Snowboarda42]

Why don't you use Epsom Salts instead? I'm pretty sure that will be around forever.

 

[Willy]

try this for both calcium chloride and mag flake

http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Sub=124&showspecials=124

 

[DonW]

Why don't you use Epsom Salts instead? I'm pretty sure that will be around forever.

Sulphate build up is why it not a good Mg additive.

Don

 

[plack]

I dont know how large your tank is? Water changes might be a better option !
You need alot of magnesium !! and some Calcium > that might lower your Alk. From what I know
Paul