Question about magnesium

[phillipj2]

How many people actually test and dose for magnesium. Does anyone think that its super important or just water changes will keep it in check. Just curious who's doing it.:wave:

 

[flamron]

Magnesium is very important for some reefers, and not so much for others.

My first tank was a 55 mixed reef. I didn't even know you could test for Mg. So, I would say you can get away without testing, as I never had any issues, and got pretty good growth from LPS/Zoas/Mushrooms.

I now have a 75G SPS dominant reef, and I can really see the effects of Mg being low. I start having trouble keeping my Alk up over 7, and start to see some nuisance algae that isn't normally there. I keep a very close eye on my Mg, Alk, and Calcium.

Kind of both ends of the spectrum.

So, to answer your question - It depends, IMO.

 

[phillipj2]

I am going in the direction of mostly sps so i guess i better get on the ball.

 

[spleify]

I test and add as necessary usually every couple/few weeks. I also test and bolster my new water before a water change.

HTH

Good luck

 

[zombiereef]

i test and dose it. makes a huge difference in my tank. if i let the mag slip to less that 1200pm, i start getting all sorts of algae. if i keep mag above 1350 i have no algae issues, water looks great and corals grow fast.

 

[phillipj2]

Maybe thats why my corals grow so SLOW.