Mg Question

[John75hex]

I just mixed up a 5 gal. batch of new tank water using KENT mix. After letting it mix for a few hours i tested the amount of Mg. I got a reading of 1080ppm. NSW is 1300 to 1500 according to my salifert test kit.
I have a bottle of ESV B-Ionic Mg. with a concentration of 36,000ppm. How much of the would i have to add (in fl oz.) to the 5 Gal. mix to get to 1300?

Also due to the fact that the Mg. consentration is low in KENT mix, my whole tank is low also. Its a 75gal. ~50gal of water. The tank measures 1035ppm. How much Mg. would i need to add to get it to 1300?

What are the drawbacks to having a Mg. level at 1035? Do corals really need this stuff? or is it more related to Ca/Kh?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

NSW at 35 ppt salinity has about 1280 ppm magnesium. I recommend that folks maintain 1250-1350 ppm magnesium, but a tad higher is OK.

I have a bottle of ESV B-Ionic Mg. with a concentration of 36,000ppm. How much of the would i have to add (in fl oz.) to the 5 Gal. mix to get to 1300?

This calculator shows how much ti use:

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


The primary effect of low magnesium is excessive abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate in the tank, potentially making it hard to maintain calcium and alkalinity. This article has more:

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

 

[John75hex]

Thanks Randy!!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.