mag chloride or sulfate

[bcjm]

That was exactly my question. One is 1:10 and the other one is 3:5. Anyone know why?

[victorh]

That was exactly my question. One is 1:10 and the other one is 3:5. Anyone know why?

 

It depends on if you dose calcium with Kalk, Calcium reactor, or a 2 part, and how often you do water changes (sulfer removal). I've read the RHF articles several times, and I am still confused!

[bcjm]

It depends on if you dose calcium with Kalk, Calcium reactor, or a 2 part, and how often you do water changes (sulfer removal). I've read the RHF articles several times, and I am still confused!

 

Maybe if I dose magnesium only (no calcium/alk dosing) then the ration is 1:10.

 

Does anyone know where to buy some DOW MAG Flakes locally?

[Almon]

Maybe if I dose magnesium only (no calcium/alk dosing) then the ration is 1:10.

 

Right. According to Randy, there is a balance between sulfate and chloride.

 

If you are using Randys two part to add calcium, then you are using calcium chloride and you need to use more mag sulfate to be in balance, so the ratio of mag cloride to mag sulfate is 5:3.

 

If you are using Kalk which doesn't change the chloride/sulfate balance, then use 10:1 which is close to the natural balance found in seawater.

[astroboy]

I'm tempted to buy a bag of Mag Flake, but I'm wondering what sort of quality control is used in making the stuff. Does anyone have any insights on this??

 

Since the epsom salts I get at the grocery store have directions for internal use (I assume by humans, since most animals can't read), I figure there can't be too much arsenic or fire retardant mixed up in it. But I'm paranoid that the quality control for the stuff you spread on sidewalks might not be so tight.....

 

It seems like it would be possible to buy high quality mg cloride from a chemical supply company at a pretty good compromise between price and the occasional hitch-hiking carcinogen. Has anyone ever looked into this, that anyone knows of? Seems like a group buy for a couple hundred pounds of carbon might also be a good idea....

Edited February 1, 2009 by astroboy

[Origami]

I'm tempted to buy a bag of Mag Flake, but I'm wondering what sort of quality control is used in making the stuff. Does anyone have any insights on this??

 

Since the epsom salts I get at the grocery store have directions for internal use (I assume by humans, since most animals can't read), I figure there can't be too much arsenic or fire retardant mixed up in it. But I'm paranoid that the quality control for the stuff you spread on sidewalks might not be so tight.....

 

It seems like it would be possible to buy high quality mg cloride from a chemical supply company at a pretty good compromise between price and the occasional hitch-hiking carcinogen. Has anyone ever looked into this, that anyone knows of? Seems like a group buy for a couple hundred pounds of carbon might also be a good idea....

 

Reef Central has a lot on the subject. The only brand that's been tested and which has Randy Holmes-Farley's approval is manufactured by Dead Sea Works. Either flakes or pellets are acceptable as long as it's from DSW. Other brands may have other impurities that have not been characterized so you take on the risk of the unknown with other sources. Of course, you can also get magnesium chloride from other sources, like bulkreefsupply.com.

[dschflier]

Yes you can get bulk mag chloride or sulfate from large suppliers and you can get various grades of it as well. I will eventually be buying one of these products and that is why I began this thread. When I do my first order for myself I will post and if people are interested they can participate on my first purchase of the product as a group buy. After that I will be selling it at the LFS who sell my products.