Magnesium

Okay so my magnesium is still pretty low and I have been using seachems magnesium to raise it with very little success I was wondering if anyone recommends a different buffer cause I am already out of the 600g bottle that I went through very very fast! If you guys know of anything better let me know.
The product I am using.
Seachem Reef Advantage Magnesium

 

Get some epsom salt for about $2 at walgreens or about any grocery store.
Use this calculator to bring it up. If it doesn't come up check the test kit.
(mix with RO water before adding)

Reef Chemistry Calculator

 

BTW this would probably go in water chemistry section.

 

Be careful using Epsom salt because I read that it can increase sulfates if used heavily to increase magnesium.
I used Seachem's Advantage Magnesium without any problems.. Try using their maximum dosing recommendations per day. I recently have had good success raising my magnesium from 1200 to 1380 within the past 3 weeks.
You are right though, you can burn through a bottle of their stuff quick...
Whatever you do, go slow, and keep checking on your alk, cal, ph, and mag while you supplement...

 

You could try kent tech-m. works pretty good for me.

 

Check your silicate levels. Silicate can sometime be the cause for low magnesium levels. I think it binds to it and prevents it from entering the water column supply.

 

Magnesium is tied to your calcium levels, and you should be monitoring the two simutaneously

Read up here:
Chemistry and the Aquarium

 

I have been using a mix of epsom salt and Safe Step Ultra Mag. Safe Step Ultra Mag is a deicer and can be found at Ace Hardware. It may be difficult to find this time of the year. If your store does not have on their shelves in the winter, they can order it from their warehouse. A 50lb bag is about 20.00.

 

This is pretty handy, premixed magnesium sulfate and chloride, makes a gallon. They also have bulk magnesium sulfate and chloride for pretty cheap too if you need a lot or want to save some money.

Replacement Magnesium pack (Full Gallon) Bulk Reef Supply

Here's a calculator to tell you how much you will need to raise your mg.

Bulk Reef Supply

 

Salifert states in their magnesium test that calcium levels must be between 300 and 500 ppm. If calcium is outside of this range the test may not be accurate.

Have you checked your calcium levels?