Originally posted by Kipass4130
i have read that epsom salt isnt as chemically readily available for reaction as other mag supplements... i think holmes-farley had a write about it... pretty much said it was ok if it was a last resort.. but not something to use frequently
no personal experience with epsom.. so i cant tell ya my experiences... just what i have read
Not to spite what you have read (Randy knows his stuff dealing with chemistry) but I have used store bought Epsom salts for over 3 years and have never had a problem with the Calc and Alk being antagonistic. IME I have never had a problem with sand clumping or cementing, nor have I noticed an increase in PO4's. I have maintained good coralline algae growth and respectfully, good coral growth. Some might not feel comfortable using it, but for me, it works like a charm.
Like I always say, everyone else’s mileage may vary, and probably will... Whatever works for you, go for it!
Question: Why don't saltwater manufactures list ingredients along the side of the bottle? My take is that if we all knew what they placed into the bottle, we as hobbyist could easily/or try to replicate the same concoction for much less, with store/local pharmaceutical bought products. This is just IMHO...