2 part solution - mag question

saltn00b

saltn00b

Active Member
i dont know how many of you are using 2 part solution to dose alk , calc and mag, but i am and had a question, so here goes.
i am using the recipe 1 for normal tanks that buffs pH slightly.
now, different websites have slight variations on the recipes.
the way i WAS doing the mag,
was a pre-measured amount of mag sulfate (epsom salts) dissolved into RO to make a 20 oz solution.
i ran out of my pre-measured bags and started looking up the recipes which brings me to this post.
some things were changed it seems, and i cannot find any of the sites talking about a 20 oz mag addition. instead i find the exact same calc / alk recipe i used, but instead of a 20 oz mag solution , a 1 gallon (RO + 8 cups mag sulfate (epsom) ) solution. this seems strange as it requires a LOT more mag per "cycle".
any insight into this?
i dosed half of the mag gallon sol'n this morning.
 
isistius

isistius

Active Member

you dosed 1/2 gal of mag??????
you're only supposed to dose 20 oz (2.5 cups) of mag after you finish the "cycle"
it doesn't matter which recipe you use.
 
D

dennis210

Guest
I might be wrong - but magnesium ahould run three time your value for calcium. So most people run calcium at 420 to 460 which means you want magnesium levels to be 1260 to 1380. Most printed information I read say target 1350. Now whenever I test befoe a ware change my mg levels on a 210 reef set uo have been down to 1220 to 1280, and with a 25 gallon water change and to teaspoons of magnesium crystals it shouls back up to 1350 to 1360. So a 20 oz solution os dissolved epsom salt seems a bit much - or is it a very weak solution?
Dennis
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Magnesium over 1300 to xyz is OK. You can't really have too high mag level.
Have you been to the two part web site? I buy that stuff now in bulk (reef club order) and I just mixed my first mixtures. I had bought the complete kit, so it came with the containers, pumps and measuring cups.
Here is the instructions
Mixing the Solutions
These directions will make 1 gallon each of Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium solution.
Calcium
1. Fill one of the gallon jugs ¾ to 4/5th with RO/DI water. This will make shaking and dissolving the solution much easier.
2. Measure out two level cups of "High Purity Anhydrous Calcium Chloride." Add 1/2 to the jug, cap and shake vigorously.
3. Repeat "Step 2" with the remaining Calcium.
4. Fill the remainder of the jug with water, cap and label "Calcium."
Alkalinity
1. Fill one of the gallon jugs ¾ to 4/5th with RO/DI water. This will make shaking and dissolving the solution much easier.
2. Measure out two level cups of "Soda Ash." Add 1/2 to the jug, cap and shake vigorously.
3. Repeat "Step 2" with the remaining Soda Ash.
4. Fill the remainder of the jug with water, cap and label "Alkalinity."
Magnesium
1. Fill the last gallon jug 1/3 with RO/DI water. This will make shaking and dissolving the solution much easier.
2. Take 5 level cupfuls of "Magnesium Chloride" and 3 level cupfuls of "Magnesium Sulfate" and mix together in the clean pail or bowl.
3. Add 1/3 of this mixture to the gallon jug and shake vigorously.
4. Repeat "Step 3" with another 1/3 of the Magnesium.
5. Add the remaining magnesium and repeat "Step 2" until dissolved.
6. Fill the remainder of the jug with water, cap and label "Magnesium."
Dosing 2 Part
1. First test calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels and adjust to their correct points if needed. Levels must be at the right points before beginning daily dosing. Use the calculator at XYZ during this step. *Spread the recommended adjusting doses out over a few days to avoid shocking the system. Be sure to dose each solution separately and slowly to high flow areas of the tank. This is especially important when dosing the Alkalinity portion as temporary increases in pH will occur.*
2. Determine the daily dose.
1. Use the table below to help determine a good starting point for daily dosing of the Calcium and Alkalinity solutions. The daily doses of Calcium and Alkalinity will be equal amounts.
Recommended Starting Points for Daily Dosing
Predominately LPS and soft corals
A few hard SPS corals or clams
Numerous full sized SPS colonies and clams
.2-.3ml/gallon
.4-.6ml/gallon
1+ml/gallon
2. Add your doses of Calcium and Alkalinity separately and slowly to high flow areas of the tank. This is especially important when dosing the Alkalinity portion as temporary increases in pH will occur.
3. After a few days of dosing retest Calcium and Alkalinity levels. If levels are not on target adjust the daily dose up or down. It may take some trial and error to get this part dialed in.
4. Once the dose is dialed in continue daily dosing until the gallon jugs of Calcium and Alkalinity are finished. At this point it is time to dose 20oz of the Magnesium solution. This can be done entirely in one dose just remember to add slowly to a high flow area of the tank.
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
I have been using this stuff from Brightwell Aquatics. I think it's a bit cleaner than Epsom salts. It's about $12 a pop and it takes just about 2/3 to make a gallon. I figure what I'm saving by making my own 2 part, I can splurge a little on the Mag. part.
I have found that if I don't get the mag. up to around 1350 or higher, I never can get the DkH up to 10.5-11 and Calc to 440-450.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
I only paid $60 for this
This package contains all you need to get started making your own Two Part Solution . You get a full gallon pail of each material used in the two part, we also include jugs , dispensing pumps and a couple measuring cups.
● One Gallon (7 pounds) of High Purity Anhydrous Calcium Chloride
● One Gallon( 7 pounds) of High Purity Zero Ammonia Magnesium Chloride
● One Gallon (7 pounds) of High purity Soda ash (Sodium Carbonate)
● One Gallon (8 pounds) of High Purity Magnesium Sulfate
● Three One gallon Jugs
● Two one once dispensers for the Jugs and one cap
● Two 100ml measuring cups
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by GrouperGenius
http:///forum/post/2760580
When it says 1 gallon...is that allready mixed or is it 7 pounds of dry mix??
7 pounds of dry mix. It will make about 7-8 gallons of alkalinity and same amount of calcium. Not sure how much magnesium would be mixed.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
This is what the package looks like
http://www.**************.com/images/Total-Package-2-part-3.jpg
We did a group by at our club a few months ago.
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
I like the pump bottles....$60 is a wicked good price for all that. That's less than 1/4 of what it would cost in B-ionic.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Exactly. I have my pump bottles setup next the RO storage unit for easy use. Once I get my dosing pump I'm going to put the solutions in smaller bottles to use with the pump and still keep the larger ones where they are now. Our group order brought the $$ amount even lower so the $60 was what I paid including shipping.
 
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