Should I dose Magnesium on a regular basis?

[ahchung]

In a pure SPS tank, should I dose Magnesium on a regular basis? In particular, for each 10ppm of Calcium to be dosed into the aquarium, how much ppm of Magnesium should I dose?

Thanks in advance!

[Outerbank]

You need to purchase the salifert magnesium test kit and keep the magnesium at the recommended level. If you are low, just simply slowly raise the mag level over a week or so. After you have the magnesium at the recommended level, you can just measure the concentration once a week and add magnesium as needed. I used Kent Tech-M.

[ahchung]

I know this is the proper procedure. But I also want to get some insight from reefers who dose Ca/Mg to know the dosing ratio from their actual experience.

[keith1569]

bump outerbank

[dadonoflaw]

well its a tough question that you would probably get a better anser to in the reef chemistry forum. i dose it on a regular basis as the third part of the randy recipe. it works very well. the issue is that it depends on the number of water changes performed as it is removed in this way. it is also used by other animals so...

[tanya72806]

ive been keepin sps for a long time dose on a reg basis is not needed. The level really doesnt lower much at all "IF" you keep your alk and cal level. I dose Mag like every 3-4 weeks and when I do its usally just under 1350.

[shred5]

Originally posted by ahchung
I know this is the proper procedure. But I also want to get some insight from reefers who dose Ca/Mg to know the dosing ratio from their actual experience.

Everybody's tank is different. No one can tell you exactly. Some tanks have higher demand, larger size, some do more water changes, some use different salts.... Impossible question.

Dave

[HBtank]

It needs to be kept steady but not as practical or nearly as critical to dose daily. Most just dose once a week to every month to bring it back in-line.

I don't know the exact ratio, But there is one for 2-part users. keeps it simple and makes tests less critical. I still test, but with the inherent ratios of alk-Ca-mg in 2-part dosing, as long as alk is good, the rest alwyas seem to fall in line. I test once a month maybe, just to verify..

For every gallon of two part I make, I think it is around 24 oz of mg solution. I use a gallon of two part in a month and a half I think, so I would have to add like 4 ounces a week... not much. I just make up the 24 ounce bottle and add it periodically throughout the usage of my gallon of 2-part by hand, and not always exactly every week.

[JB NY]

Only dose if your m levels are low. There is sticky at the top of the forum on mg as well.

[chads 385]

mag does not get used like alk and cal.I only add it after water changes

[purplereef]

Or add the Mag flakes to your reactor.

[gasman059]

Only if low.
holy trinity calcium/alk/mag

[stephj03]

I dose Mg so that my Mg levels stay at 3X my Ca as a general rule of thumb. And I try to keep my Ca level in the 450-500 neighborhood.HTH
Jared

[hyperfocal]

Clams will deplete magnesium, too. My crocea and derasa are growing like weeds, I have to dose magnesium weekly to make up for it (amount varies, I test weekly). Water changes alone won't keep up.