Mixing Ca and Mg together

[Myka]

In the Aquaforest system in container one you add 10g of their dry Mg product (labeling says "contains MgCl2), and 50g of their dry Ca product (labeling says CaCl2) and then you add "Components Strong A & B" to the mix which are strontium, barium, and "heavy metals" to 1 liter of RO/DI. They have an all in one product called Compents 1+2+3+ which is a pre-mixed 3-part balling system which I've been using, but can't seem to get it consistently. This dry version creates the same solution.

I'm having trouble getting all of these products in Canada, so I'd like to mix my own Ca, Alk, and Mg and add the Components Strong to them. Here are my questions, have they done something "special" with their mixes, or can I do ahead and add 50g CaCl2 and 10g MgCl2 together? Could I sub MgCl2 with an 8.5:1 mix of MgCl2 and MgSO4 or would the MgSO4 mess it all up? I happen to have this mix on hand and not pure MgCl2, that's why I ask.

I was going to use Tropic Marin Part A Calcium chloride. I hope it's "pure" enough to not cause precipitation with the rest of the additives.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There is nothing special about the chemicals they use, but it is lacking in sulfate. That is why three part systems exist, because magnesium sulfate cannot be mixed into either part. Either calcium sulfate or magnesium carbonate/hydroxide will precipitate.

 

[Myka]

Yeah, I don't see where they are adding sulfate. I don't mind leaving Mg out of the solution and adding manually during the weekly waterchange, so that may be an option as well.

Thank you.

[...]Could I sub MgCl2 with an 8.5:1 mix of MgCl2 and MgSO4[...]

Oops, I meant to say 5:3 ratio, not 8.5:1. Woah, the old days are popping up.