Magnesium "help"

[charlie h]

I've just brought a Salifert Magnesium test kit and test my tank. I got a reading of about 1020ppm. What i would like to no is....

What's the dissired ppm i want as the kit say's between 1300 - 1500ppm which to me seemed a big range.
The best way of raising the magnesium level and what chemicals to use...
what effect a low magnesium level has on the tank....
And will this have any thing to do with the diatoms i can't get rid of....
if any one can help i'll be greatful

[Craig Lambert]

1020 is quite low. Are you using IO salt? It usually tests around 1150-1170. 1300 is a good magnesium level to shoot for. The benefit is that it will make it easier to maintain proper calcium and alkalinity levels. There are a number of products that you can use to raise magnesium. (My preference is to use b-ionic magnesium suppliment). I would suggest reaising it about 100ppm per day until you reach your desired level. Here is a link to a calculator that will help you:

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

[charlie h]

Thanks mate i'll get my self down to the fish shop at the weekend and see what they have.... (helpful artical)

[Mavrk]

Ocean surface levels of magnesium are about 1280 ppm. Try to keep it between 1250 and 1350. Like Craig said above, 1300 is a good number to use.

How old is your tank? Diatoms are normal in the beginning and go away on their own (a good CUC helps too). If it is an older tank, silica is known to contribute to diatoms. What substrate are you using?

[charlie h]

Tanks about 6-7 montyhs old, i'm using a reef agrigate (fine white sand). what's CUC.....

[arts007]

CUC= Clean Up Crew

[charlie h]

corse it is sorry mate