Low mag., do I add it all at once?

Joshsmit56001 · 05/08/2009, 03:47 PM

My mag is at 1100 on salifert test kit. I need to increase this and I was looking at 1500 because of a hair algae problem ( I have heard high mag levels help decrease Hair Algae). Is this number ok to have or shoud I have it more around 1350-1400? Can I add it all at once ( Calculator says I need about a gallon to increase from 1100-1500 on my 100 net gallons).

Thanks,
Josh

nanojg · 05/08/2009, 03:51 PM

what kind of mag supp are you using? I use epsom salt so that would increase salinity.

maybe you should post this in the chemistry forum

Joshsmit56001 · 05/08/2009, 03:54 PM

I use randy's two part with the mag chloride and mag sulfate.

ChrisKirkland · 05/08/2009, 04:01 PM

I would add a little over time and slowly bring it up over a course of a week or so so you don't stun the corals... 1350-1450 is fine but no higher...

imcosmokramer · 05/08/2009, 04:02 PM

Well, you're adding 102 oz then. You can always do it in 2-3 parts if you have any concerns. Mag won't increase your pH, but still.

Joshsmit56001 · 05/08/2009, 04:04 PM

I have added three cups so far. I might do this until I get to the 102 oz.

imcosmokramer · 05/08/2009, 04:42 PM

yeah, there is no reason to rush this. Nothing good ever happens fast in this hobby.

Joshsmit56001 · 05/08/2009, 04:55 PM

Sorry I meant I will add the 102 oz slowly

I just tested my mag again after adding the 3 cups and it still shows the same number. Does it take awhile for the number to change?

Josh

paraletho · 05/08/2009, 10:04 PM

Make sure your test is good. Get a second opinion on the level from a reefing friend or LFS. I've heard through the grapevine to not raise more than 100 /day. The jury is still out on the hair algae thing. Byopsis yes but most people are only getting results when using Tech M by Kent. It didn't work for me 1600 for three weeks but I had other issues. Ended up having to change the sandbed.

BLKTANG · 05/08/2009, 10:16 PM

Bumping your MG will also effect your CA,& ALK so keep an eye on those too.

Ehaze · 05/09/2009, 12:27 AM

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

it saysss....

from 1100 to 1500
1493.6 grams OR 52.6 oz of epsom salt....
Mg pH effect: Largely unchanged
Warnings and usage:
Dissolve it in RO / DI water and add it to a high flow area, better if in a sump. The first time add a small portion and make sure there isn't any problem before adding the remainder. Long term use may affect ionic balance if no water changes are made. Limit the increase to a Max. of 100 ppm/Day

BangkokMatt · 05/09/2009, 12:36 AM

NOOOO!!! Don't add it all at once. Been there, done that with nightmare results.
Add it very slowly over 2 weeks. Having low mag won't be detrimental to your reef in the short term. It will take a while before the results will show in your testing. That's what got me.

xJake · 05/09/2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BangkokMatt
NOOOO!!! Don't add it all at once. Been there, done that with nightmare results.
Add it very slowly over 2 weeks. Having low mag won't be detrimental to your reef in the short term. It will take a while before the results will show in your testing. That's what got me.

What were these "nightmare results"? I've raised it by as much as 300ppm at once, and I never had any issues. This was before I heard about the warning that you shouldn't raise it by more than 100ppm per day, but all my animals tolerated it.

As others have suggested, it's best to go slowly, as with most things in this hobby. I may have just been lucky, and there is no huge benefit from raising it quickly.

BangkokMatt · 05/09/2009, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xJake
What were these "nightmare results"?

About 50% of my sps began RTN from the base up. Maybe more tollerant corals would be ok but I certainly wouldn't risk it.

Joshsmit56001 · 05/09/2009, 06:52 AM

I only have leathers and hammers right now. Any effects on fish?

BangkokMatt · 05/09/2009, 08:04 AM

There is absolutely no point in you trying to add it all at once whether there is an effect on fish, hammers and leathers or not!

Joshsmit56001 · 05/09/2009, 09:24 AM

I was just curious as the effect mag. has on fish. I am adding a cup a day until I get to where I need to be

05/08/2009, 03:47 PM	#1
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	Low mag., do I add it all at once? My mag is at 1100 on salifert test kit. I need to increase this and I was looking at 1500 because of a hair algae problem ( I have heard high mag levels help decrease Hair Algae). Is this number ok to have or shoud I have it more around 1350-1400? Can I add it all at once ( Calculator says I need about a gallon to increase from 1100-1500 on my 100 net gallons). Thanks, Josh __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef

05/08/2009, 03:54 PM	#3
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	I use randy's two part with the mag chloride and mag sulfate. __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef

05/08/2009, 04:01 PM	#4
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,739	I would add a little over time and slowly bring it up over a course of a week or so so you don't stun the corals... 1350-1450 is fine but no higher... __________________ Chris Kirkland Reef Nerd. Current Tank Info: Getting back into the hobby.

05/08/2009, 04:02 PM	#5
imcosmokramer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,709	Well, you're adding 102 oz then. You can always do it in 2-3 parts if you have any concerns. Mag won't increase your pH, but still. __________________ You can agree with me, or you can be wrong. You pick.

05/08/2009, 04:04 PM	#6
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	I have added three cups so far. I might do this until I get to the 102 oz. __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef

05/08/2009, 03:51 PM	#2
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	what kind of mag supp are you using? I use epsom salt so that would increase salinity. maybe you should post this in the chemistry forum

05/08/2009, 04:42 PM	#7
imcosmokramer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,709	yeah, there is no reason to rush this. Nothing good ever happens fast in this hobby. __________________ You can agree with me, or you can be wrong. You pick.

05/08/2009, 04:55 PM	#8
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	Sorry I meant I will add the 102 oz slowly I just tested my mag again after adding the 3 cups and it still shows the same number. Does it take awhile for the number to change? Josh __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef

05/08/2009, 10:04 PM	#9
paraletho Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sabine Pass TX Posts: 433	Make sure your test is good. Get a second opinion on the level from a reefing friend or LFS. I've heard through the grapevine to not raise more than 100 /day. The jury is still out on the hair algae thing. Byopsis yes but most people are only getting results when using Tech M by Kent. It didn't work for me 1600 for three weeks but I had other issues. Ended up having to change the sandbed. __________________ There is no better feeling in the world than waking up in the morning and knowing you're doing what you were born to do. It's your life just do it Current Tank Info: 32month old 58 gallon (GBTA,Mushrooms,Dendros,Ricordea,Red Planet,Lobo, Open Brain,10" Torch,Hammer/Frogspawn Xbreed, Mated Pair Ocellaris, Powder Blue ,CB shrimp, assorted cleanup crew) mag 9, 6x39 T5 ATI; 21 mth old 125 gal SPS 50 gal sump/refugium

05/08/2009, 10:16 PM	#10
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	Bumping your MG will also effect your CA,& ALK so keep an eye on those too. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

05/09/2009, 12:27 AM	#11
Ehaze Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 1,259	http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chemcalc.html it saysss.... from 1100 to 1500 1493.6 grams OR 52.6 oz of epsom salt.... Mg pH effect: Largely unchanged Warnings and usage: Dissolve it in RO / DI water and add it to a high flow area, better if in a sump. The first time add a small portion and make sure there isn't any problem before adding the remainder. Long term use may affect ionic balance if no water changes are made. Limit the increase to a Max. of 100 ppm/Day __________________ 75g SPS tank, 30gal sump/refuge. Melev RO/DI, Coravue duel calc reactor, MSP 200 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40, Mag drive 9.5 return, autotopoff.com ATO, 2 CoralVue 250W SE finished pendants(with 20k Radium bulbs), powered by 2x Icecap ballasts, controlled by a ACJR.

05/09/2009, 12:36 AM	#12
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	NOOOO!!! Don't add it all at once. Been there, done that with nightmare results. Add it very slowly over 2 weeks. Having low mag won't be detrimental to your reef in the short term. It will take a while before the results will show in your testing. That's what got me. __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

05/09/2009, 06:52 AM	#15
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	I only have leathers and hammers right now. Any effects on fish? __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef

05/09/2009, 08:04 AM	#16
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	There is absolutely no point in you trying to add it all at once whether there is an effect on fish, hammers and leathers or not! __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

05/09/2009, 09:24 AM	#17
Joshsmit56001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 654	I was just curious as the effect mag. has on fish. I am adding a cup a day until I get to where I need to be __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Reef