Are these the same

Armydogracing · Nov 10, 2016

So I was reading about possible constipation in the marine aquarium cause I haven't seen my fish go in awhile so I came upon Epsom salt being used as a laxative in the reef aquarium (which btw it worked for them lol)

When I looked at the package I noticed it was magnesium sulfate same as the stuff from the 2 part brs magnesium. Are these the same?

CodyRVA · Nov 10, 2016

Following.

Armydogracing · Nov 10, 2016

CodyRVA said:
Following.

From what I have been told by others it is the same thing

$6.49 for 6lbs of epsom salt compared to $19.99 for 8lbs from brs

Armydogracing · Nov 10, 2016

#reefsquad do yall know?

jsker · Nov 10, 2016

It's the same

redfishbluefish · Nov 10, 2016

@jsker said it.....it's the same.

Now here's another cost savings......I buy Arm and Hammer Baking Soda....about 13 pounds for about $5. If you bake this at 350F for an hour, you now have soda ash (Sodium Carbonate). This comes from Randy's article HERE.

Armydogracing · Nov 10, 2016

Very nice thanks everyone. Haven't had to dose alk my kalk reactor is keeping up with that for now (I use pickling lime in there)

Humblefish · Nov 11, 2016

It is the same. Just be sure to always use “USP” (food) grade Epsom salt. And be sure no smelly stuff (like lavender) has been added in.

Rybren · Nov 11, 2016

I wouldn't dose this stuff to your tank for the sole purpose of giving your fish a laxative. Depending on how much you dose, it can affect your Mg levels in the tank and skew the S levels. If your fish are constipated, then there is something wrong with them and there is likely a better treatment available.

Humblefish · Nov 11, 2016

Rybren said:
If your fish are constipated, then there is something wrong with them and there is likely a better treatment available.

Feeding a peeled boiled pea (or several) has also been known to relieve constipation in fish.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 11, 2016

I'm assuming the laxative thing for fish is a joke (fish are accustomed to taking in large amount of magnesium and sulfate from seawater and you will hardly raise these with an additive unless you force it down their throats, while people do not normally consume large amounts of these), but Epsom salt is a perfectly good source of magnesium and sulfate in seawater.

My DIY recipes are here, using Epsom salt:

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

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

redfishbluefish · Nov 11, 2016

Agree with Randy....not convinced magnesium sulfate would work the same as it does in human's to relieve constipation. Magnesium sulfate works as a laxative in humans by increasing water within the intestines.....remember osmosis from sixth grade science class....the increased solute concentration (magnesium sulfate) within your intestines cause the solvent (water) to pass into the intestines. If the fish is living within the magnesium sulfate solution, not sure there would be this concentration gradient to result in water movement into the intestines.

Humblefish · Nov 11, 2016

My experience using mag sulfate to relieve fish constipation is purely anecdotal. I always try the "pea trick" first, but will dose Epsom salt next if the bloated belly persists. I've fed peas (for days) and nothing happened, but then witnessed the fish "blast one out" shortly after dosing Epsom salt. Not scientific evidence I know, but I see no harm in trying mag sulfate if feeding peeled boiled peas fails to achieve the desired results.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 11, 2016

Humblefish said:
My experience using mag sulfate to relieve fish constipation is purely anecdotal. I always try the "pea trick" first, but will dose Epsom salt next if the bloated belly persists. I've fed peas (for days) and nothing happened, but then witnessed the fish "blast one out" shortly after dosing Epsom salt. Not scientific evidence I know, but I see no harm in trying mag sulfate if feeding peeled boiled peas fails to achieve the desired results.

How much did you boost magnesium and sulfate from the current levels? I have a hard time imagining you boosted the osmotic strength significantly.

Humblefish · Nov 11, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
How much did you boost magnesium and sulfate from the current levels? I have a hard time imagining you boosted the osmotic strength significantly.

I will dose 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per 5 gallons of aquarium water; to be repeated only once, if necessary (48 hrs later.)

I've never tested the mag level to see how much it increased by, and I don't have a test kit to measure sulfate.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 11, 2016

Humblefish said:
I will dose 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per 5 gallons of aquarium water; to be repeated only once, if necessary (48 hrs later.)

I've never tested the mag level to see how much it increased by, and I don't have a test kit to measure sulfate.

If we are talking about a marine system, I'm not sure how that could be useful, but I can't prove it isn't.

Magnesium would be boosted by about 6% and sulfate by 12%. The ionic strength would rise by 1.4%. Those values do not seem like much to me.