Can we talk about Magnesium?

NanaReefer · Jan 18, 2015

Hi Randy-
I've recently started dosing magnesium along with my 2part. Reason being is my one and only Chalice. Read that they do best with levels in the 1400 range. That my 1360 range may be cause for its tissue recession.
It's been my experience in the past that it takes a lot of Magnesium dosed to raise numbers and that it is slower to be depleted than ALK/CA.
My question, what is the best way to dose Magnesium? Do I do so equally like with the 2part?
Thank you in advance for any simple explanation-lol.

phillrodrigo · Jan 18, 2015

I use the brs stuff and brs has a calculator

Robthorn · Jan 18, 2015

I wouldn't think 1360 would cause any issue.

Triggreef · Jan 18, 2015

Robthorn said:
I wouldn't think 1360 would cause any issue.

+1 I'd look elsewhere. My chalices all have done well in the 1200's and grow fairly fast up until recently. High iodine (and perhaps copper and zinc) I believe caused me some issues and now that it's sorted out they are coming back.

Look into a triton test. $50 for a good test is nothing compared to the (speculation ->) 100$ chalice frag you might lose! or multiples!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 19, 2015

I agree that 1360 ppm magnesium is very unlikley to be an issue for being too low. That is higher than that average of places corals grow in the ocean.

My DIY two part (BRS sells it) is designed to maintain magnesium (like other two part systems) where it is, so if it is low to start, you need to boost it. I have DIY recipes for that boost as well.

Magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate are the ingredients to boost it. The calculator below shows how much to use for a given boost:

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

This also has more:
Aquarium Chemistry: Magnesium In Reef Aquaria ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

NanaReefer · Jan 19, 2015

Seems the consensus is mag has nothing to do with the tissue recession of my Chalice. If 1360 is acceptable, I'll not be messing with it.
I'll not be looking into the Triton Method. One test I believe would be insufficient to provide adequate results.

Thank you for the links Randy

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 19, 2015

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

Maximo · Jan 21, 2015

NanaReefer said:
Seems the consensus is mag has nothing to do with the tissue recession of my Chalice. If 1360 is acceptable, I'll not be messing with it.
I'll not be looking into the Triton Method. One test I believe would be insufficient to provide adequate results.

Thank you for the links Randy

Triton is a lab who performs a multitude of different tests all performed at lab grade! They are extremely accurate and test many different things that don't get checked! I know a couple of people who had elevated tin levels in their tank! How often do you do water changes and what percent do you replace?