Bulk Reef Supply Two Part

[Spartanman22]

I just got the bulk reef supply two part starter kit and I got a box with a gallon of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. I then got three more boxes with two more calcium packets and four more alkalinity packets and three more magnesium packets. On their site it doesn't say these are include, I don't think, did I just get luck and get extra? Also I am confused on the instructions.

"Once the dose is dialed in continue daily dosing until the gallon jugs of Calcium and Alkalinity are finished. At this point it is time to dose the 20oz bottle of Magnesium. This can be done entirely in one dose just remember to add slowly to a high flow area of the tank."

I would only dose about 30 ml so this would last me about 126 days. So do I not dose magnesium for half a year and then dose 20 oz. at once?

 

[sedor]

I would dose mag just like you do the other two. Figure out the level you want it to be at, dose to that point, and then add mag as you need it to maintain that level. Pretty soon you should know how much and how often you need to dose in order to keep your parameters stable.

 

[Peter Eichler]

You can add the mg over time or all at once, but yes, you'll add far less mg than you will the two part. Not sure what you got from BRS as far as packets go but just follow the instructions in Randy's article and you'll be fine.

 

[Spartanman22]

ok thanks

 

[drummereef]

You need to test for Magnesium before dosing first. I've dosed 2-part for years and don't find it completely necessary to dose the entire recommended amount of Mag at times because of the salt mix. And probably the slight inconsistency from human error in mixing and dosing the product. Just test before dosing and use the calculator to determine the proper amount to adjust your tank's chemistry.

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html