Randy, Prior To Starting Recipe #1 Should I ?

[Reefen]

Hi Randy, I am going to start using your Recipe #1 for calcium and Alkalinity boost. I have been using calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide for this. Should I put in a dose of the magnesium solution first?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It would be best to get a magnesium kit to see where it stands now before dosing, but adding a dose now is likely fine, yes.

Here's the improved recipe if youhave not seen it yet:

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part
Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[Reefen]

I get it now, I use Tech M. and test magnesium once a week. I usually have to dose magnesium quite often, is this unusual? If so what could be the cause. I just bought a gallon of Tech M. Can I use this with your calcium and ph solutions?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It isn't especially unusual to have to dose magnesium, but I suppose it depends on how much you are dosing.

You can use the Tech M, yes, but you might occasionally (say 20-25% of the time) use just Epsom salts to balance the chloride input from the calcium chloride.