Mag and Strontium

[LCD]

If you dose these what do you think is the best quality brand for these?

[rkelman]

Kent makes a Strontium suppliment.. Don't dose anything you can't test for...

[LCD]

I have a magnesium and a strontium test kit. The strontium kit is great beause it tests your calcium also so its like a 2 in 1 kit.

[LobsterOfJustice]

You can make your own magnesium suplement from a mixture of magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) and magnesium chloride.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

[LCD]

hmm have you ever tried the make it yourself mag?

[LobsterOfJustice]

Yeah, I got the supplies from twopartsolution.com

[m2434]

You can test for strontium, but don't dose unless you do test for it. Also, aragonite sand releases strontium and if you have aragonite, then your strontium levels are probably on the high side already.

[dendro982]

Test kit or supplement?
I used both of Seachem, good, but would like try the mix with MgCl2 and Salifert test kit.

[hyperfocal]

FWIW, I stopped using Epsom Salts -- every time I dosed, I'd get a cyano outbreak from the sulfur (Epsom Salts are Magnesium Sulfate). I've since switched to Magflake (Magnesium Chloride). Unfortunately, now concern that the 'reef safety' of Magflake may be dropping... something about the manufacturer using potentially harmful ingredients or something. I don't recall all the details, I'm sure someone else does ;-)

I'll switch over to Seachem Reef Advantage Magnesium when I run out of Magflake.

[dendro982]

Seachem will be the same magnesium sulphate, with potassium chloride, if I remember right. You can check the finest print on the bottle label- at the right, bottom - ingredients.

[LCD]

I think that I would rather buy a product rather than try to make it myself. Maybe I'll try the Seachem. I also saw a Koralin product on MarineDepot that looks good.

[barbra]

Originally posted by hyperfocal
Unfortunately, now concern that the 'reef safety' of Magflake may be dropping... something about the manufacturer using potentially harmful ingredients or something.

In the July 2006 issue of Reefkeeping is this article: Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

Inserted into the article is the following paragraph:

Editors note (3/10/07): Note, the manufacturer of MAG flake has alerted us that they very strongly recommend against using this product in reef aquaria. While many reef aquarists have successfully used the product, the manufacturer does not claim to be able to provide this product at suitable quality in the future.

[hyperfocal]

That's the one, thanks barbra. No generic Magflake for me; though I see that bulk magnesium chloride, "specifically made for the aquarium hobby" is available online. Not sure how trusting I am on that