Magnesium Supplementation from Bulk Reef

[REEF-n-Chicago]

Hey Everyone!

I purchased the bulk magnesium chloride bucket from Bulk Reef Supply. Well, after receiving it, and reading the instructions, I noticed that they state to mix the mag chloride and mag sulfate together.

I did not purchase the magnesium sulfate but after reading Randy's 3 part recipe it seems mag sulfate is salt. So, can I mix this mag chloride with salt? (like in the 2 part recipe)

Think I can..... just making sure

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You are using this as a stand alone magnesium supplement, or part of the DIY 2/3 part?

 

[Boomer]

Jordan you post is a little confusing

Magnesium chloride and Magnesium sulfate are both "salts" in the world of chemistry.


So, what do you mean by this ?

So, can I mix this mag chloride with salt?

salt = Magnesium sulfate salt

salt = seawater salt mix

But, as Randy asks, how are you doing this so we know where you are at. In short, yes to all of them but it is the means of how.

 

[x2uranium]

I think he means epsom salt.

 

[David Grigor]

No need to buy Magnesium Sulfate from Bulk Reef Supply. Just get Epsom salt from any drugstore, walmart, target, even the dollar store carries it. Usually around $2 for a paper milk carton of it. Comonly used to sooth sore muscles.

 

[DiazE]

I have the same concern

I have the same concern

Excuse me Randy, but I lost the info you answered on this forum about mixing the Mag chloride and Mag sulfate just to make a magnesium only mix to add to my magnesium deficient tank.

I just recieved my bag of Magnesium chloride and need to get the epson (mag sulfate). What is the cup amounts of each to mix and how much ro/di water is needed to make a pure magnesium mixture of both? I ato kalk; about a gallon a day evaporation.

Again I am using this as a stand alone magnesium supplement.

 

[David Grigor]

For people who don't use the DIY 2part:

Using both Epsom salts and MAG flake, dissolve 7¼ cups MAG flake and ¾ cup Epsom salts in one gallon of water.

 

[DiazE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13778215#post13778215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by David Grigor
For people who don't use the DIY 2part:

Using both Epsom salts and MAG flake, dissolve 7¼ cups MAG flake and ¾ cup Epsom salts in one gallon of water.

Do I dose daily or only when the mag kit read is low? How much supplement in measurement per gallon of tank water?

 

[David Grigor]

General quidline is when your making a onetime adjustment is to dose no more than a 100ppm increase per day to be safe. You can use the reef calculater ( link is at the top of forum under articles ) to determine how much to use for your tank gallons and your current PPM levels.

Once your levels are where you want them, you don't have to dose very often. Checking monthly is probably more than fine. Magnesium gets used on avergae only 1-3% of what your Calcium rates are so it is much much slower.

Myself and others just elevate our freshly mixed saltwater to compensate for the defiencies of the salt mix and for consumption.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

This article just expands on David's comments for a stand alone supplement:

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

 

[DiazE]

Thanks again Randy and thanks David for your detailed info.

 

[DiazE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13778326#post13778326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by David Grigor


Myself and others just elevate our freshly mixed saltwater to compensate for the defiencies of the salt mix and for consumption.

So I can add the magnesium solution to my NSW when doing a water change or straight ito the sump?

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

Sorry for the confusion!

I purchased the magnesium chloride from bulk reef
You also need the magnesium sulfate. Then you mix the two.

I am curious if I can add the epsom salt to the mag chloride or if the mag chloride is epsom salt?

Hope this came out better

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

This is part of a 3 part usage> the calcium/ Alk/ and mag.....

I have been dosing for a couple of years but have always had the mag pre bagged from bulk reef

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

One more thing>

Randy,Boomer and everyone else... thanks for the help!

 

[DiazE]

I bought my Mag chloride from TB Aquatics without the Mag sulfate which is Epsom salt; cheaper at Walgreens or Family Dollar. TB's website says: 5-cups Mag Chloride to 3-cups Mag Sulfate in gallon of water?

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

Alrightee then

That answers my question! I suppose I should be more clear when referring to "salts" in this hobby huh?

At least I bought the right one!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So I can add the magnesium solution to my NSW when doing a water change or straight ito the sump?

You can add it to new salt water or to the sump, as you prefer. I dd it to my IO since it is so low to begin with.

TB's website says: 5-cups Mag Chloride to 3-cups Mag Sulfate in gallon of water?

That is the ratio to be used with the DIY two part. It is not the ratio to used for a stand alone magnesium supplement, which is better done at 10:1 magnesium chloride to magnesium sulfate.

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

Can you add the magnesium chloride by itself as a stand alone supplement or do you have to add the magnesium sulfate?

Just curious

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You can add magnesium chloride as a stand alone, but it is a bit more balanced to use 10:1 mag chloride to mag sulfate and that likely does not add much cost since you can get it cheap at a drug store.