Question about using Epsom Salts

I have a bryopsis issue and I'm going the increased Mg route to rid it. I've heard Epsom salts are good for raising Mg levels but only as a short term, they shouldn't be used long term. I have the Seachem Reef Magnesium stuff but that doesn't raise the levels near enough. Is going with Epsom salt a good alternative and what's the pros and cons of using epsom?

 

I use Epsom salts to raise Mg short term. I've read that use over time will build up toxic levels of sulfates.

 

really? I have used them for a few months inbetween water changes to keep my levels up.. now I dont want to..

 

This is why I just went with Kent Tech-M, Works very well

 

There are some serious con's to using Epsom salts for this purpose. Number 11 would be the quantity of Epsom Salts required to get your Magnesium that high. Number 2 would be how hard it is get them to dissolve to get your Magnesium raised that high. Number 3 will be explained over the answer that follow.

Not toxic, but you can accidentally get your chlorides and sulfides out of whack.

It's fine to use. Periodically, you'll want to use Magnesium Chloride instead of Magnesium Sulfate (epsom salt).

and if your purpose of raising Magnesium is to kill off Bryopsis, this is the product that you want to use. It's not just the Magnesium that is killing off the Bryopsis, there's something else in Kent's supplement that in combination with the raised Mg makes it MUCH more efficient at killing off Bryopsis.

 

Thanks Inwall, that's all the info I needed.

 

I had great results with Kent's M tech against bryopsis.

 

There is something about Kent Tech M. LFS stores say nothing else works.

 

Dr. Craig Bingman's DIY formula for magnesium supplementation is to mix 10 volumes of magnesium chloride hexahydrate with 1 volume of Epsom salts.
By weight, mix 2200g magnesium chloride hexahydrate with 200g Epsom salts and fill to four litres.
This gives a reasonably balanced ionic additive to boost magnesium.