DIY Mg additive
- Thread starter shuky
- Start date
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Deleted member 143833
I have read a few articles where people include dolomite in their CO2 reactors in order to maintain magnesium. Anyone have more information on this; I have a heck of a time keeping my level up in my tank and it would be nice to get away from dosing $ additives.
Dolomite in a CaCO3/CO2 reactor is a fine way to maintain magnesium levels, but it should not be used to boost low magnesium levels. I discuss it here:
Magnesium in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm
from it:
It has been suggested that adding dolomite to CaCO3/CO2 reactors can help with magnesium problems. Dolomite is a material that contains both magnesium and calcium carbonate. If dolomite is being added to the reactor to maintain existing appropriate magnesium levels against the continual depletion via calcification (for example, if the calcium carbonate being used is too low in magnesium to maintain adequate magnesium) then this is a fine approach.
However, this method is unsuitable if the goal is to raise magnesium levels. The problem is that for every magnesium ion released from the dolomite, 2 units of alkalinity are also released:
MgCO3 ---> Mg++ + CO3--
Consequently, if one wants to raise magnesium by 100 ppm, the alkalinity will necessarily rise by 8.2 meq/L (23 dKH). The only way around this problem is to add a mineral acid (not vinegar) to the aquarium to reduce the alkalinity, and that may be more problematic than just adding magnesium in the first place.
Magnesium in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm
from it:
It has been suggested that adding dolomite to CaCO3/CO2 reactors can help with magnesium problems. Dolomite is a material that contains both magnesium and calcium carbonate. If dolomite is being added to the reactor to maintain existing appropriate magnesium levels against the continual depletion via calcification (for example, if the calcium carbonate being used is too low in magnesium to maintain adequate magnesium) then this is a fine approach.
However, this method is unsuitable if the goal is to raise magnesium levels. The problem is that for every magnesium ion released from the dolomite, 2 units of alkalinity are also released:
MgCO3 ---> Mg++ + CO3--
Consequently, if one wants to raise magnesium by 100 ppm, the alkalinity will necessarily rise by 8.2 meq/L (23 dKH). The only way around this problem is to add a mineral acid (not vinegar) to the aquarium to reduce the alkalinity, and that may be more problematic than just adding magnesium in the first place.
Any updates on this product/ thread?
MAG flake, or MAG plus Epsom salt is a fine way to go. I think my article below post dates this thread, so is in effect an update:
Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php
MAG flake, or MAG plus Epsom salt is a fine way to go. I think my article below post dates this thread, so is in effect an update:
Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php
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