Dosing Magnesium Question

[starrfish]

Ok, I'm taking it to the next level! I'm starting to dose magnesium. My question: is there any restriction on dosing magnesium with other additives? For example, you can't dose calcium and alk at the same time. Does the same hold true for magnesium? Or can I throw the magnesium in at the same time I dose calc or alk?

Thanks!
Daire

 

[Richard]

I usually wait 30 mins before adding the next witches brew.

 

[NateHanson]

Out of curiousity Daire, what's your current mag level, and what is your target mag level?

 

[starrfish]

My current level is 1000 - I'm trying to get it up to 1200 fairly quickly, then my end goal is 1300. I bought the Seachem crystals which I really don't like - they just don't want to melt. I stir and I stir...

 

[Richard]

do you need some magnesium from the group buy a while back? I can bring you some.

 

[Richard]

I forgot to ask do you have any live stock in the tank yet?

 

[starrfish]

Thanks Richard - I would love some if you have any extra! Let me know how much $$.

No livestock in the new tank yet - still cycling - this is my old tank (75g).

 

[Richard]

If no livestock I would just dump half wait 30 mins, measure and dump the other half after figuring how much to use by going to the link below. I'll bring some to you at the meeting. trade you for a future frag.

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

 

[starrfish]

Thanks Richard - but I'm trying to adjust the mag in my current 75g where there is livestock. What kind of frags do you like??

 

[Greg Hiller]

Daire,

You are safe IMO bringing it up 100 ppm each day. Won't make much difference what you are dosing along with. I don't know what this Sea Chem stuff is. If it is MgCl2 it should go right into solution.

 

[starrfish]

Thanks Greg. One more question: how do you dose this on a regular basis? I'm thinking about my new tank - I'd like to set up some kind of regular dosing with a small pump on a timer. Does that make sense? Can you just mix the dry stuff in water and dose that way?

Thanks again,
Daire

 

[denvig]

Daire
I don't think you want to dose unless you test first (only once a month or so) and find that it needs it. With regular water changes the magnesium levels stay fairly stable. So IMO it's not something that needs to be, or should be on a timer.

 

[starrfish]

Thanks Dennis. I am very good about regular (weekly) water changes, so maybe I won't need to worry about dosing. I think I'll focus on getting my current level up and test weekly to see if it stays up. I'll continue this way when I transfer everything over to the new tank.

Thanks everyone for the great advice.

Daire

 

[Richard]

Daire I bagged enoughto make about 5 gal of magnesium, but you're going to have to buy some epsom salt. Do you have the recipe for the brew?

 

[starrfish]

Thanks Richard! I don't currently have the recipe, but I'll do a search to get it.

Daire

 

[gordonzoo]

I know I can get the Epsom salt local but where would I find Magnesium without having to purchase from the internet. Anxiously Tagging along.
Rich

 

[Greg Hiller]

>I don't think you want to dose unless you test first (only once a month or so) and find that it needs it. With regular water changes the magnesium levels stay fairly stable. So IMO it's not something that needs to be, or should be on a timer.<

My thoughts exactly. Every tank is different, yours may not use much Mg. 1,000 ppm though is WAY low.

 

[starrfish]

Ok, I have my magnesium (thanks Richard!) and my epsom salt - I'm going to make a 1 gallon jug of the recipe. Then do I just add it one cup at a time and test after each addition?? How do you guys add this stuff to your tank?

Greg, I KNOW 1,000 is low - that's why I'm trying to get it up. I used the whole jar of the Seachem stuff and I still was only able to get it up to 1,100. I want to start using the homemade recipe, but I don't want to overdue it. Any advice?

Thanks,
Daire

ps...FWIW...in my current tank (where the mag is low), I do daily 5% water changes to keep up with the nitrates (I don't have a sump or a fuge) and still the mag is very low. I use NSW.

 

[Richard]

Hi Daire

Use this calculator to figure out how much to add into your tank. I would add 1/3 at a time and test after an hour or so.
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[starrfish]

Thanks (again!) Richard - I'll give it a shot.

Daire