Low Magnesium

[Deuce67]

Hi Randy! I bought a Salifert Magnesium Test kit last week and tested my Mag levels for the first time. The reading I got was 1200ppm which from I understand is a bit low. I got some Kents Tech M and followed the instructions. It says with proper testing at a dosing rate of 1 ml per gallon, ( I have a 90 gal tank and probably have 90 gal of actual water to include sump and fuge) and it will raise Mag levels by 39.1 ppm per day. Is this safe to do to raise it by that much? Anyways I dosed 90 ml for 3 days straight and checked Mag levels daily. It stays at 1200 ppm! I read your lime article and saw that limewater degrades mag levels but that was over a course of a year right? I do dose kalk at 1 tsp to a gallon. Its all mixed in a 20 gal container and is on a auto topoff system. It last me about 2 weeks. I have a Calcium Reactor but I took it offline because I couldnt get the setting right. Once I figure this out Ill put it back on. For now I am dosing B Ionic at 10 ml daily. Alk is 11 dkh and Cal is 425. Got any ideas? While Im at it, I read somewhere a while back that you have a recipe for a 2 part alk and cal additive? If so can I get the link for it? I cant find it. Thanks!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Where did you get the 39.1 ppm from? From their web site:

" then add Tech•M at the rate of 1 ml per gallon aquarium capacity per day to bring the level to between 1250 and 1350 ppm. This will raise the level by 18.4 ppm per day. "

http://www.kentmarine.com/saltwater/tm.html

You can raise the magnesium all the way in one day if you want to. Splitting the required dose over a couple of days is also fine. :)

This calculator will help show how much is necessary to dose:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

To raise 90 gallons from 1200 to 1300 ppm requires 230 mL of the Tech M. So I'd suggest that you probably just need more, and that the lack of a rise after the first additions probably just reflects kit errors.


While Im at it, I read somewhere a while back that you have a recipe for a 2 part alk and cal additive? If so can I get the link for it? I cant find it.

Sure:

A Homemade Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Additive System
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm

[Deuce67]

Thanks Randy! The 39.1 ppm is what is actually said on the bottle. Thanks for the recipe too!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That's odd. :(

Anyway, I'd add more and see if the magneisum will come up.

You're welcome for the article. :)