Magnesium dosing calculator for a nano

[glb]

Hi everyone. I'm trying to figure out exactly how often/how much to dose mg to keep my levels steady. Some of the dosing calculators I've seen online say to add a ridiculous amount so I don't trust them. Testing for mg is a real pita so I'd like to figure out a formula so I don't have to test more than once/week. I know it will change over time. Just trying to simplify a little!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Zoanut]

IME Mag is something i dont need to dose weekly or often like Ca/Alk. Its either enough or it isnt, and it seems like its used at a different rate than the big two. Also, being that mag is found at 3-4X the same concentration as calcium in sea water you will be adding 3-4X as much compared to calcium...so it can seem like way too much but it isnt.

Eery dosed Tech M for byropsis? Ive seen a gallon of that stuff go into a 250 gallons system and hardly raise the level.

 

[AZDesertRat]

The calculator will depend on what product and strength you are using. If its Tech-M you would follow their guidelines, if its a homemade recipe you would need to know the strength.

I use the two part BRS magnesium supplements and they have a good calculator on their site for their recipe.

 

[Aquaph8]

Most people are shocked at the amount of Mag that is needed to elevate levels.

 

[mainereefer]

each mag product will be added at different amounts. you need to test for anything you dose, this will tell you how much your tank needs and how often then you can make a dosing schedule for your tank from there

it takes 2 parts mag to 1 part calcium for your corals to recognize the calcium! without 2:1 your stony corals will suffer! and you wont get good coralline growth.......

 

[jservedio]

With my 20g, I find Magnesium levels stay rock solid using Reef Fusion 2 part (which contains some Magnesium) with a mainly SPS system. Right now, I am dosing 18ml (split between 4 doses).

Without measuring Mag over and over, you will never figure out your consumption rate. In the beginning, you are going to be stuck testing daily for a week to dial in your dose. Just use the directions on the bottle to figure out how many ppm each dose raises per gallon and multiply it out after you figure out your consumption.

Basically, you should never have to change the dose (or test for it) once it is dialed in and will only need to measure alkalinity. However, if you find your Alkalinity needs changing and you need to change your dose of that, you will also have to change your dose of Magnesium as well and start testing again.

 

[dryad001]

I've always had good results with this:

'Reef Chemistry Calculator FV'

 

[beaslbob]

Hi everyone. I'm trying to figure out exactly how often/how much to dose mg to keep my levels steady. Some of the dosing calculators I've seen online say to add a ridiculous amount so I don't trust them. Testing for mg is a real pita so I'd like to figure out a formula so I don't have to test more than once/week. I know it will change over time. Just trying to simplify a little!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

dosing magnesium especially the first adjustment from 700 to 1350ppm can require a lot of magnesium. On my 55g it took on the order of 3-4 pounds of epsom salts and others have reported similiar experiences.

But after that initial adjustment then you just use the diy method. Dose equal amounts for calcium and alk then after using a gallon of those solutions add 300ml of the magnesium.

Now for a nano you would have scale that all down. but fortunately it is all linear so that should be easy.

my .02

 

[glb]

Thanks everyone. Your comments were all very helpful!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[glb]

I use the Red Sea mg test. Is there another one that's not as tedious or are they all like that?


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[Zoanut]

Ive used Red Sea, Salifert and another i cant remember. They were all tedious in one way or another. Does hanna instruments make a "checker" for Mag? Those are nice!

 

[glb]

I'll check on that. Thanks!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps, Acans and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[mcarroll]

I use the Red Sea mg test. Is there another one that's not as tedious or are they all like that?

I agree and Salifert is by far the simplest and quickest...more or less identical to their Ca test process (which is also among the simplest).

-Matt