BRS Pharma Magnesium - I mixed it wrong. Now what?

[1stNoel]

I may be the first...or just the first to admit it...but I confused the Magnesium Sulfate and Chloride while mixing up two 1 gallon jugs. So instead of 7.25 cups Chloride to 0.5 cup Sulfate, I reversed it...and then proceeded to slowly dose one full gallon over the course of a week (300 gallon tank was running around 1250).

I only noticed my mistake because I went to mix a new batch, and realized that the Chloride bag was barely used (ruh roh!).

My tank is showing no ill effects. In fact, everything is looking great. But I was curious...

Any known adverse effects?

And what should I do with the other gallon that was also mixed this way? I don't want to dump it if I don't have to.

 

[dwest]

I may be the first...or just the first to admit it...but I confused the Magnesium Sulfate and Chloride while mixing up two 1 gallon jugs. So instead of 7.25 cups Chloride to 0.5 cup Sulfate, I reversed it...and then proceeded to slowly dose one full gallon over the course of a week (300 gallon tank was running around 1250).

I only noticed my mistake because I went to mix a new batch, and realized that the Chloride bag was barely used (ruh roh!).

My tank is showing no ill effects. In fact, everything is looking great. But I was curious...

Any known adverse effects?

And what should I do with the other gallon that was also mixed this way? I don't want to dump it if I don't have to.

I don’t think it’s a problem. I wouldn’t worry.

 

[hart24601]

I don’t think it’s a problem. I wouldn’t worry.

I agree, don't stress over it! I would just use the other part when ready and then go back to the correct mixture after.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would dose only the chloride until you make it back to the recommended ratio.

 

[1stNoel]

I would dose only the chloride until you make it back to the recommended ratio.

Guess I need to stock up on Chloride now.

Thanks to all for the quick input.

 

[Zoajohn]

Related question - is the pharma mag pouch for 1 gallon larger than the ones for calcium and alk (total volume of powder)? Wanting to make sure I didn’t create a stronger solution and was curious why the pouch was bigger when thinking about it

 

[1stNoel]

I bought a 7 pound bag of Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Chloride, and Calcium Chloride. They all come in the same size bag, and feel like they're filled the same. The Chlorides resemble grains of sugar, while the Sulfate is more of a powder.

For Alk, I use Kalkwasser; but it comes in a smaller 4 pound bag. That is also more of a powder.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Related question - is the pharma mag pouch for 1 gallon larger than the ones for calcium and alk (total volume of powder)? Wanting to make sure I didn’t create a stronger solution and was curious why the pouch was bigger when thinking about it

the total magnesium mix strength is, in my recipe that BRS uses, 8 dry cups per gallon. You just use a lot less of it than the alk and calcium parts.

 

[Zoajohn]

the total magnesium mix strength is, in my recipe that BRS uses, 8 dry cups per gallon. You just use a lot less of it than the alk and calcium parts.

I believe I bought the pouch that makes 1 gallon of liquid magnesium when mixed with RO water. So a single use pouch. But it was a good bit larger than the calcium and alkalinity single use 1gallon pouches. I mixed the mag several weeks before the other two which is why I want to make sure I did in fact buy the 1 gallon pouch and not something larger

 

[1stNoel]

Going back to what Randy mentioned:

It takes about 8 cups of Magnesium to make a 1 gallon mixture, while only 2.5 cups are needed for a one gallon mixture of Calcium.

So that would explain the difference in bag size.

 

[Zoajohn]

Going back to what Randy mentioned:

It takes about 8 cups of Magnesium to make a 1 gallon mixture, while only 2.5 cups are needed for a one gallon mixture of Calcium.

So that would explain the difference in bag size.

Got it. I misunderstood Randy’s post but it makes sense now.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I believe I bought the pouch that makes 1 gallon of liquid magnesium when mixed with RO water. So a single use pouch. But it was a good bit larger than the calcium and alkalinity single use 1gallon pouches. I mixed the mag several weeks before the other two which is why I want to make sure I did in fact buy the 1 gallon pouch and not something larger

it is much bigger than the other two parts.