what is the role of magnesium?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by gfoot2000, May 16, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. gfoot2000

    gfoot2000 Flamingo Tongue

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2010
    Messages:
    111
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    can you guys simply explain the role of magnesium for me? online articles are kind of hard to understand
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2010
    Messages:
    4,780
    It balances out alk and calcium, by allowing them to dissolve. It's basically that up to a point, magnesium lets more combined alk and calcium dissolve before they precipitate out. For example, if you have a 1200 mag, you can have 10 dkh and 450ppm calcium max before they combine and precipitate, but at 1400 mag, you can have 11.5dkh and 500 ppm calcium. Those numbers aren't the real numbers (they're much more complicated to get), but they give you the idea.
     
    2 people like this.
  4. MyBoyGus

    MyBoyGus Flamingo Tongue

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2009
    Messages:
    105
    Location:
    St. Louis, MO
    Great video from Bulk Reef Supply that explained it all to me:
    YouTube - BulkReefSupplyCom's Channel

    Magnesium's role comes in at 2:00 mark.
     
  5. armison89

    armison89 Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2011
    Messages:
    473
    Location:
    clifton springs ny
    how would you test for mag?
     
  6. MyBoyGus

    MyBoyGus Flamingo Tongue

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2009
    Messages:
    105
    Location:
    St. Louis, MO
    Lot's of test kits out there. I use the Salifert Magnesium Test Kit and like it. And I use Seachem's Magnesium in my tank. I tried going the DIY way with Epsom Salt, but it seemed to effect my salinity too much, and didn't effect my magnesium levels as well as the Seachem. (Thank you to my LFS for the recommendation.)