I was reading one of Randy's magnesium articles and looked into purchasing some magnesium chloride hexahydrate and came across 98+% magnesium chips. I'm pretty sure that the answer is no, but can this be used to supplement magnesium? It sifted through a #40 mesh, so it is pretty fine.
Magnesium chips
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Randy Holmes-Farley
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Assuming it is magnesium metal, it may actually burn in seawater. 
So no, it is not suitable. It will boost alkalinity and pH tremendously when added. Too much to be useful.
So no, it is not suitable. It will boost alkalinity and pH tremendously when added. Too much to be useful.
Skydvr
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Thanks Randy.
That is why the Navy's fire fighting technique for a magnesium fire is to jettison overboard (fighter jets have a lot of magnesium parts). Also why VW beetles went up so well if there was an engine fire; the engine case was magnesium.
I tested magnesium and calcium for the first time last night (have only been dosing alkalinity with carbonate) and magnesium is at 900 mg/L and calcium is at 380mg/L using the Nyos test kits. I am going to test again later today to verify as this is the first time I have tested either of those parameters. I will also test the new water (Coralife) and will be bringing a sample of the old and new water to the store to have it tested to verify my readings. I normally do weekly 100% water changes, but I have gone two weeks without a water change and have been feeding heavily (this is a pico) to see what PO4 is going to test out to with my Red Sea kit as I believe there is an issue with my kit that I need to verify. I've got a few SPS, an Acan, ricordia, and zoanthids, with very little coraline growth.
I know the Coralife salt has tested high for magnesium in the past (that data is 14 years old though), but if the new salt tests low, how much of a bump in magnesium would you consider safe while doing 100% water change if I am using 98+% magnesium chloride to increase the magnesium level? I haven't placed the order yet, so currently I'll have to settle for what ever the salt mixes to. I will have to see if there is an analysis on the impurity content of the magnesium chloride I order.
I'm going to start digging through your calcium articles again, but do you know off the top of your head if any of your articles mention how much calcium and alkalinity a settled calcium hydroxide solution adds and how to determine how strong of a solution to use for ATO? I know you have recommended starting off at something low like a 1/4 tsp per gallon and see how that works and step it up from there if needed, but I've got a fairly accurate range of evaporation and will be monitoring calcium depletion over the next week, after today's water change. I suppose I could always dilute the settled calcium hydroxide solution and test levels and calculate from there.
That is why the Navy's fire fighting technique for a magnesium fire is to jettison overboard (fighter jets have a lot of magnesium parts). Also why VW beetles went up so well if there was an engine fire; the engine case was magnesium.
I tested magnesium and calcium for the first time last night (have only been dosing alkalinity with carbonate) and magnesium is at 900 mg/L and calcium is at 380mg/L using the Nyos test kits. I am going to test again later today to verify as this is the first time I have tested either of those parameters. I will also test the new water (Coralife) and will be bringing a sample of the old and new water to the store to have it tested to verify my readings. I normally do weekly 100% water changes, but I have gone two weeks without a water change and have been feeding heavily (this is a pico) to see what PO4 is going to test out to with my Red Sea kit as I believe there is an issue with my kit that I need to verify. I've got a few SPS, an Acan, ricordia, and zoanthids, with very little coraline growth.
I know the Coralife salt has tested high for magnesium in the past (that data is 14 years old though), but if the new salt tests low, how much of a bump in magnesium would you consider safe while doing 100% water change if I am using 98+% magnesium chloride to increase the magnesium level? I haven't placed the order yet, so currently I'll have to settle for what ever the salt mixes to. I will have to see if there is an analysis on the impurity content of the magnesium chloride I order.
I'm going to start digging through your calcium articles again, but do you know off the top of your head if any of your articles mention how much calcium and alkalinity a settled calcium hydroxide solution adds and how to determine how strong of a solution to use for ATO? I know you have recommended starting off at something low like a 1/4 tsp per gallon and see how that works and step it up from there if needed, but I've got a fairly accurate range of evaporation and will be monitoring calcium depletion over the next week, after today's water change. I suppose I could always dilute the settled calcium hydroxide solution and test levels and calculate from there.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Saturated limewater is about 2 level teaspoons per gallon of fresh water.
Adding 1.25% of the tank water volume in saturated limewater over the course of a day will boost calcium by about 10 ppm and alkalinity by about 1.4 dKH.
Starting low sounds good.
Adding 1.25% of the tank water volume in saturated limewater over the course of a day will boost calcium by about 10 ppm and alkalinity by about 1.4 dKH.
Starting low sounds good.
