Need Recomendation for Magnesium Additive.

[Jasonanatal]

Hello everone, I'm currently in the market for a new Magnesium additive for my 120 gallon Reef Aquarium. I unfortunately don't have very much experience with various chemicals since I have stuck with Kent Tech-M and would like to move away from the brand for no better reason then to find something better. I'm concerned with quality, potency of the dosage and price. What would you recommend? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[kgross]

Non of the above. I like to use a bulk magnesium chloride plus epsom salts. Much much less expensive. You can purchase bulk products from quite a few places online, as well as possibly your local fish store.

Kim

 

[xJake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14321392#post14321392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kgross
Non of the above. I like to use a bulk magnesium chloride plus epsom salts. Much much less expensive. You can purchase bulk products from quite a few places online, as well as possibly your local fish store.

Kim

I would agree. If you take a look at the ingredients in most magnesium additives the main ingredients are reverse osmosis/deionized water, magnesium chloride, and magnesium sulfate (epsom salts) - or some combination.

Kent says that theirs is in 'ionic' form. Basically all this means is that they've put the magnesium into 'molten' form to create their liquid supplement - versus the more commonly used 'salt' or 'molecular' form. Chemically there isn't much difference; at least in terms of our needs.

See Randy's article for more details on the proper chloride-to-sulfate ratio in mixing your DIY supplement.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

 

[MerDoX]

Agree with both replies above. Effective and cheap!

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to Kgross.

Reply to Kgross.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14321392#post14321392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kgross
Non of the above. I like to use a bulk magnesium chloride plus epsom salts. Much much less expensive. You can purchase bulk products from quite a few places online, as well as possibly your local fish store.

Kim

Kgross, thank you for the information.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to Xjake.

Reply to Xjake.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14321742#post14321742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xJake
I would agree. If you take a look at the ingredients in most magnesium additives the main ingredients are reverse osmosis/deionized water, magnesium chloride, and magnesium sulfate (epsom salts) - or some combination.

Kent says that theirs is in 'ionic' form. Basically all this means is that they've put the magnesium into 'molten' form to create their liquid supplement - versus the more commonly used 'salt' or 'molecular' form. Chemically there isn't much difference; at least in terms of our needs.

See Randy's article for more details on the proper chloride-to-sulfate ratio in mixing your DIY supplement.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

Xjake, thank you for the information.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to MerDox.

Reply to MerDox.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14321939#post14321939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MerDoX
Agree with both replies above. Effective and cheap!

MerDox, thank you for the vote.

 

[BigJay]

Bulkreefsupply has the cheapest bulk magnesium chloride.

Epsom salts can be purchased from any pharmacy for around $2.00.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to BigJay.

Reply to BigJay.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14323658#post14323658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigJay
Bulkreefsupply has the cheapest bulk magnesium chloride.

Epsom salts can be purchased from any pharmacy for around $2.00.

BigJay, thank you for the information.

 

[reef_doug]

1st choice is Randy's DIY is my too. I get the Mag Flake from Bulkreefsupply.com and Epson salt from Costco. Randy has two recipes, 1 for raising (10:1 ratio) and a recipe for maintenance with two part.

2nd choice would be the Kent Tech M. BTW it's probably the only Kent product that I would use.

 

[MrRyanT]

I use straight dissolved Epsom salt, but don't have need for it very often as my salt mix is pretty high in magnesium.(Oceanic)

 

[Origami2547]

None. Bulk magnesium chloride (mag flake or mag pellets) from Dead Sea Works (It should be DSW, not some other type). See if there's a salt company in your area that has it bagged. Fifty pounds will normally set you back around $20 or so. Otherwise, your best bet will be Bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Billybeau1]

Depending on how much you will need to supplement, the diy's are cheap and effective but I voted Kent Tech-M for the best commercial supplement. Been using it for years.