Which Magnesium Do I Need?

[Empress]

Hi. I just tested the magnesium in my tank for the very first time ever. It looks to be 1240. I want to bring that up to 1300-1350ish.

Right now I am dosing Calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate and kalkwasser.

I need to know which magnesium I should buy: magnesium chloride or magnesium sulfate? It needs to be compatible with the other additives I listed above.

Thank you for all replies.

 

[JimWelsh]

If you do water changes, you can probably get away with just using magnesium sulfate. Randy discusses this in detail here: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yes, you can just use one magnesium, but if you wish to be ionically balanced, you need both magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate. Randy's recipes are discussed HERE.

Recipe 1 calls for 3 cups Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) and 5 cups magnesium chloride made up to one gallon with RO/DI water.

 

[Empress]

So once I get this balanced I shouldn't have to add it all the time right? Maybe just once in a while?

I do a water change ever 5 weeks.