Adding ESV MG to Kalk Top off?

pk1 · 02/08/2006, 10:17 AM

Good monring Randy, I was wondering if this can be done. Every week my MG is low, @ 1200 or so, I am trying to keep it at 1350. I add the necessary amount per the calculator's instructions, and I get bad algae blooms on the glass for a few days. this leads me to believe that ESV MG is not very pure. Any thoughts on this? Can I add it to my 40 gl lime reservoir and replenish it this way, taking advantage of the kalk's ability to precipitate impurities? Or will it also precipitate the MG....my guess is the second option.

Patrick

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/08/2006, 11:07 AM

Or will it also precipitate the MG....my guess is the second option.

You guessed right.

I do not know anything about the purity of the ESV magnesium, but I'm amazed that the magnesium level would drop from 1350 to 1200 ppm in two weeks. That seems unlikely.

To answer the specific question, no, you cannot add magnesium to limewater. It will precipitate as magnesium hydroxide:

Magnesium and Strontium in Limewater
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm

pk1 · 02/08/2006, 11:29 AM

Of course this wouldn't work, it would actually be EASY, and that word doesn't exist in this hobby!
I use tropic marine pro salt, and have read that it is low in MG. I have not tested newly made saltwater, but have meant too

. And to be more accurate, I test the MG, dose the recommended amount per the calculator, and check again in 2 weeks. IMO, the algae bloom is definitely coordinated with the high dosing of ESV MG. Is there a way to check the purity of this product? If not , can you recommend a "safer" substitute? Something with published ingredients? Thanks again Randy.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/08/2006, 11:42 AM

Is there a way to check the purity of this product?

You could check the liquid supplement for ammonia, nitrate or phosphate. It might also be iron, if your tank is otherwise iron limited.

I don't know what products might be better, but I've not heard of algae blooms, nor seen any in my tank, using Dead Sea Works magnesium chloride deicer to supplement magnesium.

pk1 · 02/08/2006, 12:17 PM

Just test the supplent using a Salifery kit? I thought those kits are designed just for salt water?

Dead Sea Works it is

.

PK

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/08/2006, 02:10 PM

There are limitations, and you can check with Habib in the Salifert forum here at RC, but many will work in "fresh" water, although those supplements are far higher "salinity" than seawater.

Billybeau1 · 02/08/2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pk1
I use tropic marine pro salt, and have read that it is low in MG.

Hey PK, Here in Illinois Coralife Salt Mix is sold in many places. I recently switched from Instant Ocean. A fresh batch of salt mixed at 1.023 tests at 450 calcium and 1375 mg. It costs a little more than IO but I dont have to suppliment. Just a thought my Illinois buddy.

pk1 · 02/09/2006, 10:16 AM

Thanks Billy, I'll take a look into that!

PK

02/08/2006, 10:17 AM	#1
pk1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Lombard, IL Posts: 1,116	Adding ESV MG to Kalk Top off? Good monring Randy, I was wondering if this can be done. Every week my MG is low, @ 1200 or so, I am trying to keep it at 1350. I add the necessary amount per the calculator's instructions, and I get bad algae blooms on the glass for a few days. this leads me to believe that ESV MG is not very pure. Any thoughts on this? Can I add it to my 40 gl lime reservoir and replenish it this way, taking advantage of the kalk's ability to precipitate impurities? Or will it also precipitate the MG....my guess is the second option. Patrick

02/08/2006, 11:07 AM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Or will it also precipitate the MG....my guess is the second option. You guessed right. I do not know anything about the purity of the ESV magnesium, but I'm amazed that the magnesium level would drop from 1350 to 1200 ppm in two weeks. That seems unlikely. To answer the specific question, no, you cannot add magnesium to limewater. It will precipitate as magnesium hydroxide: Magnesium and Strontium in Limewater http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/08/2006, 11:42 AM	#4
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Is there a way to check the purity of this product? You could check the liquid supplement for ammonia, nitrate or phosphate. It might also be iron, if your tank is otherwise iron limited. I don't know what products might be better, but I've not heard of algae blooms, nor seen any in my tank, using Dead Sea Works magnesium chloride deicer to supplement magnesium. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/08/2006, 02:10 PM	#6
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	There are limitations, and you can check with Habib in the Salifert forum here at RC, but many will work in "fresh" water, although those supplements are far higher "salinity" than seawater. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/08/2006, 11:29 AM	#3
pk1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Lombard, IL Posts: 1,116	Of course this wouldn't work, it would actually be EASY, and that word doesn't exist in this hobby! I use tropic marine pro salt, and have read that it is low in MG. I have not tested newly made saltwater, but have meant too . And to be more accurate, I test the MG, dose the recommended amount per the calculator, and check again in 2 weeks. IMO, the algae bloom is definitely coordinated with the high dosing of ESV MG. Is there a way to check the purity of this product? If not , can you recommend a "safer" substitute? Something with published ingredients? Thanks again Randy.

02/08/2006, 12:17 PM	#5
pk1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Lombard, IL Posts: 1,116	Just test the supplent using a Salifery kit? I thought those kits are designed just for salt water? Dead Sea Works it is . PK

02/09/2006, 10:16 AM	#8
pk1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Lombard, IL Posts: 1,116	Thanks Billy, I'll take a look into that! PK