BRS 2 part Mag help

[Tyreef2016]

So I've finally finished up a Gallon of both Alk and Cal.

I'm trying to figure out how much Mag I should now add?

I recall in the brs video he adds the whole gallon? but not sure if thats a smart choiche.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[topjimmy]

What is your magnesium level now?

 

[Tyreef2016]

Mag is at 1450 now.

Guess the next question, Is it normal to have Mag replaced during water changes?

And is it an issue if I never use the brs Mag?

I do weekly water changes, sometime bi-weekly if I’m away on the weekend.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So I've finally finished up a Gallon of both Alk and Cal.

I'm trying to figure out how much Mag I should now add?

I recall in the brs video he adds the whole gallon? but not sure if thats a smart choiche.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

NO, it is 610 mL over the course of a gallon of the other parts.

Depending on how big the tank is, that is fine all at once, or can be spread out over the course of that gallon of alk/calcium however much you want.

In 100 gallons of water, that 610 mL will boost magnesium by about 75 ppm.

If you start with a salt mix that has excessive magnesium in it (you may have, or may have high salinity, or may have a magnesium testing issue, which is very common), then it may stay high.

While not perfect, it is OK to not dose any magnesium if you are confident the magnesium is currently above where you want it.

 

[Scorpius]

Your mag is at 1450 now and you want to dose an entire gallon of magnesium? lol wut? You don't need to dose any magnesium.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Your mag is at 1450 now and you want to dose an entire gallon of magnesium? lol wut? You don't need to dose any magnesium.

Just keep in mind a few things:

1. The gallon is incorrect and is not the recommendation.
2. The magnesium part of the DIY recipe is there for more than just magnesium.
3. The magnesium will have declined by about that same amount during the course of dosing the alk and calcium parts.
4. People using commercial systems (e.g., ESV B-ionic) will have added this amount of magnesium without seeing it since they put it in the calcium part.
5. Magneisum testing is very prone to error.

 

[Tyreef2016]

Your mag is at 1450 now and you want to dose an entire gallon of magnesium? lol wut? You don't need to dose any magnesium.

This was before testing my Mag levels and from what I remembered from watching the BRS video..

Good thing we ask questions first.

NO, it is 610 mL over the course of a gallon of the other parts.

Depending on how big the tank is, that is fine all at once, or can be spread out over the course of that gallon of alk/calcium however much you want.

In 100 gallons of water, that 610 mL will boost magnesium by about 75 ppm.

If you start with a salt mix that has excessive magnesium in it (you may have, or may have high salinity, or may have a magnesium testing issue, which is very common), then it may stay high.

While not perfect, it is OK to not dose any magnesium if you are confident the magnesium is currently above where you want it.

Salinity is in check, if anything it’s alittle lower then 32. I’ll do some more Mag test today and re check on a friends kit to make sure readings are accurate. I was kinda shocked it’s up around 1450.

Using aqua forest reef salt so shouldn’t have a high a Mag level unless my batch is off. Will have to test some new water during next WC.

Tank is a Red Sea 525xl, so around 140 gallons.

Thanks for clearing up it’s just 610ml not a whole gallon that’s suppose to be added at the end of Alk/Cal jugs.

 

[Tyreef2016]

Just keep in mind a few things:

1. The gallon is incorrect and is not the recommendation.
2. The magnesium part of the DIY recipe is there for more than just magnesium.
3. The magnesium will have declined by about that same amount during the course of dosing the alk and calcium parts.
4. People using commercial systems (e.g., ESV B-ionic) will have added this amount of magnesium without seeing it since they put it in the calcium part.
5. Magneisum testing is very prone to error.

Is there a recommended kit for Mag that we have found to be more accurate then others?

Yes I also read the Mag part has other trace elements, why I don’t wanna skip not adding any or possibly to much.

I tried to message you randy but wouldn’t allow me to.

I will update later today with full parameters and new Mag test.

Thanks again.

 

[Tyreef2016]

Guess it’s safe to say I can’t trust my Red Sea test kit for Mag..

3 tests and 3 totally diff numbers.

Last night 1450
First test today 1300
Second test today 1500
Third test today 1450

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Guess it’s safe to say I can’t trust my Red Sea test kit for Mag..

3 tests and 3 totally diff numbers.

Last night 1450
First test today 1300
Second test today 1500
Third test today 1450

The Red Sea magnesium seems to cause all sort of problems for reefers.