Question on Dosing Alk, Cal and Mag

[cobraz]

Ok - here is a question for the Gods...
I am dosing Alk and Cal using two containers.
I also want to dos Mag...

Can I could I - or not add Mag to either container - so I don't have to have a third container ?

How does Mag react to Alk or Mag react to Cal together at the same time - I know... I bet it's a bad idea, but i had to ask just in case.

 

[aaron23]

you wouldnt want to add mg to one of the alk or ca containers because the requirements for mg are different from your daily dosing of ca and alk. dont know about how the other parts will mix but lol dont do it.

 

[Tommy's Reef]

Yeah don't mix it it

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you are using just magnesium chloride, you can mix that with the calcium solution, but the preferred solution for a DIY two part has both magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate, and that cannot mix with either calcium or alkalinity because calcium sulfate will precipitate from the calcium solution and magnesium hydroxide/carbonate from the alk solution.

 

[Tommy's Reef]

And that's why we got the pros on here

 

[cobraz]

Thanks Randy.... Had to ask.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy.... Had to ask.

You're welcome.

That's why we are here!

 

[ihavecrabs]

If you are using just magnesium chloride, you can mix that with the calcium solution, but the preferred solution for a DIY two part has both magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate, and that cannot mix with either calcium or alkalinity because calcium sulfate will precipitate from the calcium solution and magnesium hydroxide/carbonate from the alk solution.

Can you elaborate or provide a link to why a mixture of magnesium Chloride and Magnesium sulfate is better than one or the other by themselves? Curious

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can you elaborate or provide a link to why a mixture of magnesium Chloride and Magnesium sulfate is better than one or the other by themselves? Curious

Certainly. It is to maintain the chloride to sulfate ratio in the seawater. Otherwise, it may get skewed one way or the other.

I discuss it here for a stand alone magnesium supplement:

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

and here when used with a DIY two part system:

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[ihavecrabs]

Thanks again!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.