Need to raise Mg

[nbd13]

quick question for you guys. I have a 275 gallon SPS tank (net is 265) as most of you know, that is doing pretty well right now except for.......

I am using reef crystals salt BTW and the Mg test at 1200 with a new batch of salt. i change about 30 gallons a week.

so obivsouly my main tank's Mg is at 1200 ppm.

i would ideally like it to be at 1300-1350 ppm correct if not alittle higher? my alk is 8.0 dkh and Ca is @ 420 ppm.

i am using a Deltec pf500 Ca Rx and have some mag granulates in there also to help keep the Mg where is is. i am going to be adding more media (the deltec stuff) to top off and will add 10-15% of the reactors volume of Mg granulates.

so basically i need someone to recommend a product to me that i could use to raise the Mg about 100 to 150 ppm.

i have tried SeaChems stuff, but it would take SO much to raise the Mg, that i do not want to use it.

Ideally i would like something that will NOT effect anything else in the tank. like i hear epsom salts can cause something to build up in your tank (i forget off the top of my head).

thanks guys!

Nick

[gqjeff]

Nick, I have used Kents Liquid Mg in the past with no adverse effects at all...

[coqui1pr]

Right now i use kents mg with no side effects at all.

Nestor

[barky]

Nick I purchased some of the Zeomag Magnesium Granulite from Scott and added 10-15% to my calcium reactor and within a month my mg went to 1400 and before this I could not get the mg above 1200. This stuff really rocks. Brian :smash:

[nbd13]

I have the same stuff and it is in my reactor, maybe i should add more......

i will look for some of that Kents stuff too....

Nick

[barky]

How long have you had the zeomag in? I know mine took awhile like I said to raise the mg. but when it did raise it shot right up. I don't know if you'll have any adverse effects if you add more than recomended. maybe a question for scott.

[nbd13]

its been in for awhile, gosh i cant even remeber over 4-5 months i think

Nick

[Fins Reef]

Kents Mg is a liquid, all Liquid Mg supplements contain ammonia, SeaChem is the best additive, but does take alot. What PH are you running your RX. The Mg granulate takes a little lower ph to work properly.

[barky]

my ph is at 8.0 8.1 I know my mg did not take that long to rise. you could try to add some more to your reactor your tank is larger than mine.

[Aged Salt]

Hi, the Mg level ideally should fall into the 1200-1350 range & as with all parms should be stable. If one has a Mg <1000, Mg level increases should be slow, ~ 50ppm/day is not harmful to our corals. Too high a Mg levels[>1400] can have negative consequences on our water composition, & therefore, our corals, as does too low a level

Brian[Finsreef] is right on with Seachem Mg supplement, as it does not supply excess Cl- ions to our waters, causing a chronic water imbalance if MgCl[Kent's] is used long-term. Short-term or intermittent use of Kent's, as Jeff states, is fine. The use of Mg granules for maintenance is dependent on the saltmix that we use. In my case using 50-50 Oceanic-IO keeps NSW levels of Mg w/o the need to use Mg granules in my CR. Bob

[nbd13]

Should i just keep it at 1200 of should i bump it up slowly? its been stable at 1200 for awhile now.

Nick

[Aged Salt]

Nick, I'd try for 1250-1300, with additional Mg supplements or adding more Mg granules in your CR, with 1200 being the floor for Mg. Bob

[nbd13]

Thanks Bob, maybe i will try adding more granules to the CaRx first. should i add like another 5% of the total volume?

thanks

Nick

[gqjeff]

Nick try that.. If it raises Mg higher then desired then just take some out.. My impression though with the granualte was it would really not raise it to much just maintain it.. I used Kents to get it where I wanted then my RX keeps it steady.. I have used the Mg granulate for 10 months or so...

Jeff

[o2manyfish]

Nick,

Years ago - In the age of Salt Water Tanks and Nektonics Undergravel plates we used a substrate called Dolomite.

Dolomite, when used in a calcium reactor melts with the CO2 to produce Mg.

Dolomite is about the same price as coral sand.



I also use the Tropic Marin Bio Mag -- I don't test or measure (that would be work) but it just pours in and dissolves (its a granulate).

Dave B