magnesium Q
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Randy Holmes-Farley
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The magnesium level in the water will have little effect on the effluent of a CaCO3/CO2 reactor.
It can have an impact on consumption of alk and calcium in the aquarium, depending on what levels you are talking about. The direction may depend on the system details.
Very low magnesium may limit some organisms (perhaps coralline algae) and thereby reduce consumption, but it also increases the potential for abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate, increasing consumption.
Very high magnesium may limit some organisms (perhaps snails) and possibly boost others (possibly coralline algae) and thereby reduce or increase consumption, but it also reduces the potential for abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate, decreasing consumption.
It can have an impact on consumption of alk and calcium in the aquarium, depending on what levels you are talking about. The direction may depend on the system details.
Very low magnesium may limit some organisms (perhaps coralline algae) and thereby reduce consumption, but it also increases the potential for abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate, increasing consumption.
Very high magnesium may limit some organisms (perhaps snails) and possibly boost others (possibly coralline algae) and thereby reduce or increase consumption, but it also reduces the potential for abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate, decreasing consumption.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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How do you know it is low? Which kit? Nota ll are super reliable.
Have you measured salinity? What is it and how?
Low magnesium , when real, if often just low salinity.
That said, here are my DIY recipes:
Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
Randy I use the Salifert test kit, but checking my salinity im at 0.23 which is a bit low, this weekend Im schedule for my water change, currently mag is at 1200 so maybe what your saying once I do my water change and raise salinity to 0.25 I will test again…
thank you again,,,
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Raising the sg from 1.023 to 1.0264 (35 ppt) will boost magnesium from 1200 to 1377 ppm, more than enough.
Wow, thank you so much… thank god we have reefers like you that have a wealth of knowledge especially in chemicals and are willing to help us newbies…. Thank you again….Raising the sg from 1.023 to 1.0264 (35 ppt) will boost magnesium from 1200 to 1377 ppm, more than enough.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Hi Randy. So I'm trying to reduce mag levels cause I did something stupid. I'm performing daily water changes to try and get it under control. It's going slow, but making progress. I read your article in another forum. Wondering if what I'm doing is best practice. Thanks
Randy Holmes-Farley
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If lowering magnesium is the goal, there no other way than water changes with a mix that has lower magnesium than the tank, and the lower the better in the new mix in this context.
Thanks. Just using IO so I guess steady as she goes. Thanks again for your response
