Epsom salt

[stevescg]

Hi Randy!
I was wondering if you could briefly explain the Pros and Cons of using epsom salt in a reef to raise magnesium levels.

TIA
Steve G.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sorry for the late reply, Since my last article here was in April, I don't check this part of reefcentral very frequently.

I've heard it mentioned that some grades of Epsom salts contain ammonia. If true, I'd add it a little at a time. That's not typically a problem since magnesium addition is rarely an emergency.

Since you will not very often need to add magnesium, the fact that it will be coming as the sulfate isn't much of an issue either. If you were to need lots and lots of different ocassions, that would push up sulfate relative to chloride and the other anions. But since chronic addition is not typically necessary, don't worry about that either.

Otherwise, I see no problem with it.