Magnesium Chloride

[JOZEFEK]

I found in Ace store magnesium Chloride 100% and was wondering if it is ok to use in aquarium.Thanks for any input.
KJ

 

[Mock]

What brand, do you have a MSDS sheet... Just saying a stores name and MC is not much help....

 

[reefinghabit]

magnesium chloride is what u want to use. as long as it is 100 percent. pure

 

[JOZEFEK]

Melts ice down to -15F/26C
Unique ice-penetrating crystal shape provides rapid melting capabilities and scatter control
100% pure magnesium chloride
Safe for people pets and vegetation when used as directed
Safe when used as directed on air-entrained cold weather concrete that is at least one year old
Less corrosive on metal surfaces
Made with 100% magnesium chloride hexahdrate
Its maximum power melts ice in extremely cold temperatures and with 1/3 less chlorides
It is safer for pets, people and the environment
Extreme 8300 magnesium chloride represents the overall best performing product in the Safe Step line

 

[disc1]

The best answer anyone can give is maybe. The production of magnesium chloride leaves a lot of heavy metal contaminates. These trace contaminates can be very bad for the tank. Even pharmaceutical grade reagents have some level of contamination. With a product that hasn't been tested, no one will know what level of heavy metals are there. So the best anyone can tell you is maybe.

I know there's a desire to save money and DIY things, but the commercially available and tested safe reagents aren't that much more expensive. You have to decide if that peace of mind is worth a few dollars.

 

[MattyO]

In the Ice Melter world, Mag Chloride is "less corrosive" and such then Calcium Chloride because the Calcium Chlorides are usually 80% Plus Calcium Chloride. Magnesium Chlorides are typically under 50% actual chloride content.

The 100% Pure Magnesium Chloride line refers to it not being mixed/blended with other ingredients but it is far from pure. The Safe-Step brand is owned by North American Salt Co. so you can check out their MSDS and see what I mean. Besides any Heavy Metals that disc1 is concerned about you need to decide if you are ok with the other 50% of the ingredients (mostly other chlorides).

 

[skunkmere]

i used that stuff. its good to use. i bought my bag at costco.

 

[Chris27]

The best answer anyone can give is maybe. The production of magnesium chloride leaves a lot of heavy metal contaminates. These trace contaminates can be very bad for the tank. Even pharmaceutical grade reagents have some level of contamination. With a product that hasn't been tested, no one will know what level of heavy metals are there. So the best anyone can tell you is maybe.

I know there's a desire to save money and DIY things, but the commercially available and tested safe reagents aren't that much more expensive. You have to decide if that peace of mind is worth a few dollars.

Well said....at least I'm not the only one who thinks it's ludicrous to dump Prestone Ice Melt into my $10K aquarium....