Raising Magnesium?

jbird0420

Active member
My readings are as follows:

Ca-420ppm
KH-8.9ppm
Mg-1200ppm- I would like to raise this to 1300ppm. I have both Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Sulphate from Bulk Reef Supply

I've caluclated my total water volume from my 180g and sump, minus the LR, corals, etc.. I've figured total 170g of water. According to BRS calculator.

I would Need: 536.4 grams; 18.9 oz 127.7 tsp to raise the Mg up 100ppm to hit the 1300ppm mark. I've never done this and I don't want to shock my system. I normally do weekly water changes (Reef Crystals) and add Kalk every other night to maintain the balance, but I'm still having problems getting the Mg where it needs to be.

Any help is appreciated and thanks for looking!!
 
I think you could safely raise the mag level 100ppm in one dose, but if it makes you nervous, do it in two.
 
127.7 tsp is about 2.5 cups of Magnesium Chloride.

Is that a lot to does into my sump all at once and not shock the system?
 
I am having issues with my magnesium levels also. I am dosing to increase it 50 points per day with the same BRS additives. No adverse effects have been noted.
 
So, how much are you adding at a time?

I know if differs depending how much you need to raise it and water volume as well. But, based on that and your readings. Are you doing it in 1/3's at a time?

I am having issues with my magnesium levels also. I am dosing to increase it 50 points per day with the same BRS additives. No adverse effects have been noted.
 
For the stuff from BRS, read the label on the back. Put the recommended cups of stuff in a 1 gal container, and fill the rest of the way with RO. That will give you 1 gal of liquid to use to dose with.

Assuming thats the way you've done it, simply use the Reef Calc on their site to determine how much to dose. From what I"ve read, its best not to exceed a100ppm increase at one time.

I have started dosing Mag in the last two weeks, and, like you, was surprised at the amount to raise it only 100. I was dosing 450ml at a time to get mine up to par.

Check out my log I've been doing in the attached Excel. Also, I have a thread in the Reef Chemistry forum that might help you out.
 

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I add 100ppm in one go every month or so. Just dump it all in my sump. SPS reef with sensitive species(turaki, hoeksemai), no sign of any stress when I do that. I know it does look like a lot, but it's Mg, not sodium carbonate your corals won't even notice.
 
Thanks for the spreadsheet. I going to add it slowly to raise it up to where it needs to be.


For the stuff from BRS, read the label on the back. Put the recommended cups of stuff in a 1 gal container, and fill the rest of the way with RO. That will give you 1 gal of liquid to use to dose with.

Assuming thats the way you've done it, simply use the Reef Calc on their site to determine how much to dose. From what I"ve read, its best not to exceed a100ppm increase at one time.

I have started dosing Mag in the last two weeks, and, like you, was surprised at the amount to raise it only 100. I was dosing 450ml at a time to get mine up to par.

Check out my log I've been doing in the attached Excel. Also, I have a thread in the Reef Chemistry forum that might help you out.
 
According the the calculator I would hvae to add 2.5 cups to raise it 100ppm to where it needs to be. I'm going to add it slowly over a week.
My concern is I don't want to shock my system. I never really used 2 part solution or buffers before.

I use the reef calculator on their website for both my tanks. So far, so good.
 
You can bring your mag up 100 in a day without issues. Been there, done that, more than once. Now I dose mag with a dosing pump along with alk and ca. Nice and stable levels.
 
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