Mg chloride and Mg sulfate

[rick12]

so why the two types of Mg? noticed that some suppliers recommend mixing the two. i use only Mg chloride.
:worried:

[disc1]

It has something to do with keeping the chloride in balance.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, the two main negatively charged ions in seawater are chloride and sulfate. If you just use Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), you can push up sulfate levels in the tank.

Magnesium chloride alone is likely OK. Magnesium sulfate alone likely is not, because there is much more chloride than sulfate already in seawater.

I discuss such issues and give ratios to use here:

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

[rick12]

thanks for the link
Yes, the two main negatively charged ions in seawater are chloride and sulfate. If you just use Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), you can push up sulfate levels in the tank.

Magnesium chloride alone is likely OK. Magnesium sulfate alone likely is not, because there is much more chloride than sulfate already in seawater.

I discuss such issues and give ratios to use here:

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Happy Reefing. :)

[Marc]

Quick question, I have a gallon of magnesium chloride powder onhand so is it ok to just use magnesium chloride by itself to raise my magnesium levels or do I "have to" use the magnesium sulfate in conjuction with magnesium chloride?

Thanks,
Marc

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is OK to use just the magnesium chloride. That's much better than using just magnesium sulfate. :)

[HighlandReefer]

Mag Supplementing Recommendations:

Mag sulfate and mag chloride are both important when increasing and/or maintaining your mag level. The mag sulfate will increase your sulfate whereas mag chloride will increase your chloride in your water. The idea is to keep the sulfate and chloride in balance in your water column. This leads to using them in the proper ratio to maintain the proper balance.

Randy calculated the ratios to maintain the proper balance of chloride to sulfate. It will depend on what you are using to maintain your calcium with.

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If you are using Calcium chloride (two-part) to maintain your calcium, then use:

5 cups of mag chloride + 3 cups of mag sulfate in a total of one gallon with rodi water. Mix and you can add the particles in the solution.

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php


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If you are using kalk water or reactors to maintain your calcium, then use:

7.25 cups mag chloride + .75 cups of mag sulfate.

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

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If you want to bump up your mag level in your tank or you want to increase the mag level in your salt mix or natural seawater, then use:

7.25 cups mag chloride + .75 cups of mag sulfate.

This is perfectly balanced with what is found in sea water and does not take into consideration any additions of chloride from calcium additives.

Do-It-Yourself Magnesium Supplements for the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

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If you are using reactors (and/or kalk water) and also supplement with calcium chloride, then perhaps a good ratio to use would be:

7 cups mag chloride + 1 cup mag sulfate. :)