Low Mg

[svb57]

Hi!

My Mg is running aroung 1250 and I am told that 1380 is where I should be. Other paramters:

alk = 8.4 dkh
calcium = 480
pH = 8.1

I use a calcium reactor and is there anything I can put in there to keep Mg up?

Thanks
Jim Mc

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I recommend magnesium to be 1250 to 1350 ppm. Natural seawater is about 1280 ppm.

i would not add something to the reactor to boost magnesium, but you can add dolomite to maintain magnesium levels.

You can also just add a commercial magnesium supplement, or MAG Flake from Home Depot. even Epsom salts from a grocery store is OK for a single small adidtion, but it boosts sulfate a lot for larger additions.

These articles and calculator may be useful:

Magnesium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

Magnesium and Strontium in Limewater
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm

Reef Chemicals Calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

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