Testing the new Mag Flake

[melev]

I'm wondering about the new version of Mag Flake that is now on the market. It has been posted on RC as well as in Reefkeeping that the new formula is different from the old one, and that it would not be safe for aquarium use now.

Many people are buying some type of Magnesium from Two Part Solutions. I'm wondering where they are getting it.

And the cynic in me is wondering if Mag Flake is still safe to use, but we've been told it isn't just so they #1) don't have to deal with possible legal problems from angry hobbyists and #2)so it can be marked up for the aquarium trade.

Which leads me to the question - how can we test it to know if it is safe to use? The unscientific method is to set up a tank, use some if the new formula in the saltwater and add some livestock. But we can only test for a few things. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[billsreef]

The first thing to do would be to get an analysis and see what's in the stuff.

[melev]

So who does that? What are they looking for specifically?

[billsreef]

You'd need to send a sample out the a lab, and they analyze it to see what's in it. Same thing Randy initially did with the dowflake. Than it's a matter of looking at the report and seeing what is there and at what levels. A few things would be rather obvious if present, such as arsenic or copper.

[melev]

Hmm. I wonder if I can call in a favor with a family member. He worked in a lab for years and years, and retired about a year ago. From what I understood, they did exactly what you're describing, determining what is in the sample.

I just had a feeling they need to be told to look in a certain direction, rather than expecting them to test for every element on the periodic table.

[DrBDC]

They've been saying the mag flake is not for aquarium use for a long time. Even back when it was first put into the article. I think it's like the southdown sand situation.

Where did you hear of a change? I mush have had my head buried in a bucket of southdown. Did you contact dead sea works (going off memory of the producer name)?

[melev]

We had a sticky in our club forum that either went to a thread here or to an insert in a Reefkeeping article.

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

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.

[davy182]

Hey guys how's it going, just to let everyone know I will be purchasing from a chemical company that supplies Sea World their chemicals so I would imagine it is safe to use. I am going to be purchasing calcium chloride, soda ash, magnesium chloride. If any one is interested let me know I should be up and running in a week or two. Most of it is in 50 lb bags but I can repackage it. The very big discount is after 56 bags.

David

[billsreef]

Apparently they are using a process that is causing the product to have excessive levels of bromine Not a problem for the intended market, but a problem for us.

David,

Just so you know, buying up bulk and reselling is something we consider commercial. So you won't be able to do that on RC

[melev]

So we need to contact Salifert to create a bottle of Bromine eXit, right?

[davy182]

That's cool just looking out, since finding it without excess bromine is not the easiest task. I was looking at it more as a group purchase, where everyone pays their own shipping and it is at whatever I buy it at, but I guess I can just offer it full price else where.

David

[USC-fan]

can only do group buys in the club forums....

[nietzsche]

i used this one for magnesium:
http://www.twopartsolution.com/index...&products_id=9

[mbbuna]

are you sure your not confusing the processing changes Dow made to DOW Flake (calcium) with MAG flake(magnesium)?

[nietzsche]

and also this stuff for calcium http://www.twopartsolution.com/index...roducts_id=141 i asked them about the change (twopartsolution.com) and told me that the 2006 were good. that when they run out of it theyre going to switch to a company that they already have waiting

[rigleautomotive]

i have a solution.set up a reactor and stop fooling with chemicals that can kill your very expensive animals to save a few bucks.it is not a good place to be penny concious.i used various chemicals from chemical supply stores and without testing every batch i did not feel safe.the baltimore aquarium buys from the one chemical company i was getting stuff from but they test there chemicals often to make sure they are safe. if some corals did not look good i would wonder if some heavy metal or other harmful compound may have made it in the batch i am using.cal reactors have gotten so cheap lately and the media has gotten so good that if you are in the hobby long term it is cheaper to have a reactor and be relatively sure what you are putting in your reef is safe.not to mention how easy it is to diy a reactor.any way to each his own.if you feel ok about using the new batch each year than you are golden.

[SDguy]

A reactor really doesn't help me raise the levels of my freshly mixed salt water for a water change

[SDguy]

I'm surprised one can't get a cert of analysis for mag flake from the company

[rigleautomotive]

are you using IO

[SDguy]

Are you asking me or the OP?

[rigleautomotive]

you sd.i was wondering what salt mix cause when i used io i always had to add a ton of mg

[SDguy]

Yes IO, or RC. Either way, I have to add Mg and Ca.

I am as of yet unfamiliar with *any* salt mix that has the levels I want, straight out of the bag...

[rigleautomotive]

red sea pro isnt too bad.its the best i have found .also.io was the worse and need the most but it is the cheapest,so what can you do.i hear you though,if you want that perfect mix it takes a little tweeking.i just think adding dirty chemicals does more harm than the slightly low mg level you get from the salt i am using.i used io for 10 years or so with good results using epsom and dow flake to make it right.now i am lazy,i buy red sea pro,test each batch and if it is close i use it as is.which it has not needed anything since i started using it.

[SDguy]

Well, yes, I agree...no good adding less than slightly pure chemicals....hopefully we can get a cert for this new Mg....

[davy182]

most of the distributers that I found get their their chemicals mostly from a company called univar. At least they refered to the chemical analysis from univar and msds. So I assume most are getting it from them.