Who uses Epsom salt for MG supplement?

[jackson6745]

I'm tried of buying so much b-ionic magnesium supplement. Does anyone simply use epsom salt to raise their magnesium? Any negative effects?

 

[nanoreefer22]

I'm gonna be trying really soon as soon as i get done with Parts 1 and 2 of Randys 2 part. Thats gonna be the first time I'm using the epsom salt part. Probably not for another week though, so I'm pretty much no help :icon16:.

 

[kimoyo]

Randy is redoing his formula to include Magnesium Chloride. The distributor of the pure stuff they recommend is over in NJ but you have to buy 40 or 50 55lb bags. I got in on a group buy with the NJreefers and only paid $12 for a 55lb bag.

Here's a thread on RC for it, Magnesium Group Buy??. It has all the links for instructions and stuff.

 

[cali_reef]

Rich, I have used Epsom salt for the last 5 years and have not notice any ill effect.

The NJ club did a group buy for some lab grade magnesium and some people may have one or two 55 pound bags extra.

 

[michael chu]

me 2 almost 1yr not any effect

 

[regal]

I just bought a 2kg box of epsom salt from rite aid for $2.99.

Some good read regarding magnesium in reef tank.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

People worries about using epsom salt b/c it is magnesium and sulfate so you'll be adding sulfate to your reef. However, if you put things into prospective, the salt mix that we use is very low in sulfate as compare to nature salt water. Unless you are adding a sh!t load of epsom, otherwise I don't think there is going to be harmful to your tank.

 

[kimoyo]

People worries about using epsom salt b/c it is magnesium and sulfate so you'll be adding sulfate to your reef.

Randy is going to publish a new formula using the mag chloride and epsom salt because of that.

 

[jackson6745]

Rich, I have used Epsom salt for the last 5 years and have not notice any ill effect.

The NJ club did a group buy for some lab grade magnesium and some people may have one or two 55 pound bags extra.

more than enough proof for me . Pierce do you dissolve it in RO water first or just pour the salt into the sump?


thanks for the other responses and links guys

 

[Vic8361]

Hey Rich,
I'll be using it from now on. i found the mag flake in the home depots by me,
Here's the tread for the new formula.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=742944

Vic

 

[kimoyo]

Vic is that the good stuff (purity wise)?

 

[spykes]

kimoyo : yeah vic got the good stuff, same stuff the NJ reefers used. He's bring me down some bags baby =D

 

[kimoyo]

thats tight yall.

 

[Vic8361]

Hey Rich here's a another thread that could also be of help. The picture in that thread is the stuff that the home depots around me have.

http://216.235.242.50/forums/showthread.php?p=177038#post177038

Vic

 

[Astoria]

Magnesium Chloride

If anybody is looking for this

the Home Depot in Long Island City/Astoria ( Nothern Blvd and 48th St),
has it for 13.98+ Tax. (50 pound bag).
Gary

 

[DRZL]

Hey Rich,

Are you using dolomite in your reactor at all?
I had terrible problems with Mg consumption of my SPS, (think 900ppm of Mg) since adding dolomite, and im talking a 2 inch ring on my 1st chamber only, my Mg is stable at 1400

its pure, cheap, and replenishing, and best of all no dosing...just wondering if youve tried this route

 

[jackson6745]

Andres I have dolomite in my reactor but it doesn't seem to keep up unless I run the effluent PH at 6.5 or less. What is the PH of your effluent?

 

[Pili]

Just started using Epsom salt and so far no ill effects. Bought 3 one pound boxes, poured them into a gallon jug, and filled the jug up about 3/4 to top with RO/DI. Added about 2-3 cups everyday for about a week and raised my Mg up from 900 to about 1600 (i overdid it a little , but nothing a water change with instant ocean wont fix).

 

[DRZL]

Andres I have dolomite in my reactor but it doesn't seem to keep up unless I run the effluent PH at 6.5 or less. What is the PH of your effluent?

you have a single stage GEO I remember, Im guessing the dolomite is the chamber that is about 6.5-6.6 pH but it goes thru the second chamber and comes out at about 6.9-7.0

your right though you need about that pH for dolomite to dissolve, maybe if you put more dolomite than I did it would dissolve more Mg at a lower pH since there is more surface contact.

good thing about the CR way is that it is the most benign and soluble way of adding Mg

either way best of luck Mg is one of those KEY params for SPS as you very well know. maybe its time for a 2nd chamber, if I were you Id ask NYPDFrogman to help u out

 

[DRZL]

I dont know if it matters but I am using the Zeovit Mg granules, but im guessing dolomite is dolomite