Dosing third component of Randy's recipe

[Ralistin]

Randy, to maintain ionic balance you recommend adding in a gallon of magnesium sulfate solution for every gallon of calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate solution used.

My question is, what should you do after dosing parts 1 and 2 and test for magnesium that reads 1350ppm?

Do you still dose it anyways? Do you skip dosing it or does that throw ionic balace out of wack? What is the correct solution to this dilema?

As always, thanks Randy.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Randy, to maintain ionic balance you recommend adding in a gallon of magnesium sulfate solution for every gallon of calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate solution used.

No, I don't recommend that much (see below). It is OK to ocassionally (or frequently) not dose it, for example if the magnesium is already elevated from using Oceanic salt mix or for other reasons. The only drawback to never dosing (assuming magnesium stays OK) it is that chloride will slowly rise relative to sulfate.


A Homemade Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Additive System
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm

from it:

"Part 3: The Magnesium Sulfate
Dissolve a 64 ounce container of Epsom salts (about 8 cups) in enough purified fresh water to make 1 gallon total volume. This solution is added much less frequently than the other two parts. Each time you finish adding a gallon of both parts of the Recipe #1, add 305 mL (1 Ã"šÃ‚¼ cups) of this stock solution. You can add it all at once or over time as you choose, depending on the aquarium size and set up. Add it to a high flow area, preferably in a sump. In a very small aquarium, or one without a sump, I'd suggest adding it slowly; especially the first time you do so to make sure that corals don't get blasted with locally high concentrations of magnesium, sulfate, or any impurities in your Epsom Salts. The first time that you add it, you might add a small portion and make sure there isn't any problem before proceeding to add the remainder. This solution contains about 47,000 ppm magnesium and 187,000 ppm sulfate."

 

[Ralistin]

ok, got it! I would have read it again before dosing to make sure but I recalled a entire gallon. Glad I asked again. Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[thrlride]

Randy,

I've read that an increased levels of sulfate is bad for the inhabitants in an aquarium. My concern is this:

I am using IO salt and the magnesium levels regularly check around 1100 for my water change water. If I used epson salt to always raise that level then I will quickly have elevated sulfate. Should this be a concern or would it be better to find a source of magnesium chloride?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've read that an increased levels of sulfate is bad for the inhabitants in an aquarium.


While I would try to avoid a sulfate rise, I do not think such data is available to show where a problem occurs.

I'd try to use a commercial additive or a DIY using mostly magnesium chloride for such a rise, but in the absence of those, Epsom salts is probably OK.

 

[thrlride]

Thank you Randy. I'm trying to locate the MAG Flake locally now. It appears I might have to order online though.

Thanks again!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome. I saw it at my local Home Depot yesterday, but we usually get more snow.