Mg Dosing Question

[ykh]

Randy,

Hi! I just started to dose your 2 part Calcium and Alk formula into my tank. I should have done this long time ago because sps aren't growing in my tank and now I know why.

Before dosing:

Ca: 290 ppm
Mg: N/A
Alk: ~8dkH

After dosing for over a week with just the calcium part and just ran the test:

Ca: 490 ppm (this is kinda of high, so I will stop dosing for now)
Alk: 7.7 dkH (haven't dose any baking soda solution yet, I think this level is ok)
Mg: 1005 ppm

Now, my question is the target Mg level I want is 1285 ppm. By using the reef chemistry calculator, the product required is 303.2 grams; 10.6 oz. of epsom salt. Do I dissolve this in 1 gallon of RO and dose everything slowly over a period of time? or I just follow the procedure outlined in your article?

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 610 mL (2 Ã"šÃ‚½ 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.


Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Now, my question is the target Mg level I want is 1285 ppm. By using the reef chemistry calculator, the product required is 303.2 grams; 10.6 oz. of epsom salt. Do I dissolve this in 1 gallon of RO and dose everything slowly over a period of time? or I just follow the procedure outlined in your article?

Since you are making an initial correction, I'd add that amount in fresh water over 3-4 days, and then begin dosing more as recommended going forward.

That isn't quite as good as using MAG Flake as the Epsom salt will boost sulfate considerably, but if you can't find MAG Flake, the Epsom salt is likely OK.

 

[ykh]

Thanks, Randy. I could only get epsom salt around here.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK.

You're welcome and good luck.

 

[ykh]

Randy,

Another quick question. When I made up the baking soda solution, I used warm water to dissolve them. It took a while and many shakes to dissolve the powder and I thought it did.

But when it cools down, there are crystals sticking to the wall of container and formed a layer at the bottom of the container too. What can I do now to get all of these dissolved?

Thanks,
Kean Huat

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Did you follow my concentration guidelines?

How much material are we talking about relative to the baking soda you added?

Which recipe?

 

[ykh]

Randy,

I used this formula, the only thing different that I did was I used a different brand of baking soda. Thanks.

Recipe #1, Part 2: The Alkalinity Part

Spread baking soda (594 grams or about 2 Ã"šÃ‚¼ cups) on a baking tray and heat in an ordinary oven at 300Ã"šÃ‚°F for one hour to drive off water and carbon dioxide. Overheating is not a problem, either with higher temperatures or longer times. Dissolve the residual solid in enough water to make 1 gallon total. This dissolution may require a fair amount of mixing. Warming it speeds dissolution. This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH). I prefer to use baked baking soda rather than washing soda in this recipe as baking soda from a grocery store is always food grade, while washing soda may not have the same purity requirements. Arm & Hammer brand is a fine choice.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If you didn't bake it enough, then it might not stay dissolved. If the crystals are only a small fraction of the original material, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ykh]

Randy,

Thanks. I will just ignore it then

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy reefing.