Dosing Mg

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

can I add that mixture (after figuring out the appropriate amount) to my Ca dosing? And what time of day is it best to dose Mg? Currently I dose Ca during the day and Alk at night.

Not a good idea to mix the Mg and Ca. The Mg will cause Ca sulphates to precipitate and ruin your Ca mix so you'll need a third doser. But many get by with hand dosing as it's not so much once balanced
You can dose the Mg anytime between your other dosing. Just pick a time dead center between your Ca and Alk timers - day or night is fine as far as I know
And if you're not needing to add much (once balanced), you could get by with a cheap daily drip setup, or just dump it in
I don't even know anyone with a dedicated Mg doser ... but I'm sure there's lots out there
I know if I had to dose it I'd have another pump

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Not a good idea to mix the Mg and Ca. The Mg will cause Ca sulphates to precipitate and ruin your Ca mix so you'll need a third doser. But many get by with hand dosing as it's not so much once balanced
You can dose the Mg anytime between your other dosing. Just pick a time dead center between your Ca and Alk timers - day or night is fine as far as I know
And if you're not needing to add much (once balanced), you could get by with a cheap daily drip setup, or just dump it in
I don't even know anyone with a dedicated Mg doser ... but I'm sure there's lots out there
I know if I had to dose it I'd have another pump

Well, I did just buy a 3rd doser (50ml/min high speed type), so I could do that. But that brings me back to the question of what type of Mg to buy. I could not find that East Start stuff around here. And not sure if I can trust some of the ice melters that I saw online, as they don't list ingredients.

I guess I could just buy more of that Seachem Advantage Mg from J&L, but it is not cheap for the amount I would require on an ongoing basis.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Well, I did just buy a 3rd doser (50ml/min high speed type), so I could do that. But that brings me back to the question of what type of Mg to buy. I could not find that East Start stuff around here. And not sure if I can trust some of the ice melters that I saw online, as they don't list ingredients.

I guess I could just buy more of that Seachem Advantage Mg from J&L, but it is not cheap for the amount I would require on an ongoing basis.

Thats what I used before. I now have bulk dosing from BRS. I find I dont have to add much magnesium to keep it close to 1400ppm.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Doug

Thats what I used before.

Which one, Easy Start or Seachem?

[Doug]

Seachem. I used their two part for years and always liked it. Yes agreed with you though, at more expense. I like the BRS products. The magnesium comes as a 2 part to mix in the container. Magnesium sulphate and Magnesium Chloride

[Doug]

Once my co2 reactor is running I will stay with this magnesium additive for the occasional top off.

[Madreefer]

http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/in...1?Ntt=Ice+Melt

I'm sure theres a Home Hardware in your area. Give this a look

[Reef Pilot]

Yes, we do have a Home Hardware in Langley. I notice from the ingredients that it is 83 - 87% MgCl. But what is the rest? I am a little leery of being the guinea pig on a product used in my reef tank. I noticed the same at Rona, Canadian Tire and Home Depot. They have some MgCl products, but none of them very pure.

Edit: Just noticed that the Home Hardware product is Calcium Chloride, not MgCL.