Help me with Magnesium.

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Powerman, Mar 4, 2009.

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  1. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    So I dose with Seachem. Ca and Carbonate. They suposedly maintain proper Mg levels. Not too hard keeping Ca/Alk in line, so didn't worry about Mg.

    Finally bought Seachem's Mg/alk/borate test kit today. My Mg tested 1200.

    Ran out of time, but yesterday my Ca was 450 and Alk was 4.5.

    So.... where should I have my Mg at?

    Should I look at doing Mg dosing?

    I have considered BRS 2 part kit. Is that better to do each seperately? Ca/Mg/Alk.

    Thanks for any input.
     
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    #1

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  2. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    If you have a reef tank,your Mag should be anywhere between 1300-1500ppm, Cal.....400-500ppm and Alk/Dkh 8-12. If you have fish only, you shouldnt even worry about these elements. Luna
     
    lunatik_69, Mar 4, 2009
    lunatik_69, Mar 4, 2009
    #2
  3. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Reef it is. Sorry, I just assume that is everyone.
     
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    #3
  4. longballz84

    longballz84 Spaghetti Worm

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    what did u measure your alk in? seems very low...unless ur not converting it to dkh or w/e
     
    longballz84, Mar 4, 2009
    longballz84, Mar 4, 2009
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  5. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Ya, meq/l. What is the conversion factor? 2.2 to dkh?
     
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    #5
  6. bmshehan

    bmshehan Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    Get some espom salt and bump the mag up to around 1500. For my 55 1/2 cup is 55-60 ppm. Epsom salt at Kroger here locally costs about a buck a pound.
     
    bmshehan, Mar 4, 2009
    bmshehan, Mar 4, 2009
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  7. RHorton

    RHorton Pajama Cardinal

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    2.2meq/l is like a 6.0 to 6.5 dkh.
    here is a good table conversion.
    OZ REEF - Alkalinity Conversion
     
    RHorton, Mar 4, 2009
    RHorton, Mar 4, 2009
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  8. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    So I would need a bit, but still cheap. Wouldn't that be a lot of salt though. I forget about epson salt, but still, I have about 140g and need to raise it about 300ppm. So that is a lot of salt.
     
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
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  9. reefer Bob

    reefer Bob Montipora Digitata

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    I have been told to dose mag since I started tanks and had low ca. I was dosing seachem mag about 5 -10 mg a week and never tested it. I finally bought a test the other day and it was at 1060 which I did not consider to bad. So now I am on the journey to 1200, see ya soon. But it sounds if you are doing pretty good with water changes, if its not broke, are you goin to play with it. LOL
     
    reefer Bob, Mar 4, 2009
    reefer Bob, Mar 4, 2009
    #9
  10. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Since I didn't need a lot of ca and Alk before, I thought I would be good on Mg. Since I got a little sloppy and my Ca and Alk fell off a bit. I got them up, but my Mg is not as high as some suggest. Even Sea chem says 1200-1500. So I am on the low end. I have not thought much about Mg.

    So... I can buy some Mg, or go to BRS 2 part that has seperate Mg and just monitor all 3. After adding more coral I'll probably have to anyway.
     
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    Powerman, Mar 4, 2009
    #10
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