How to better disolve dow flakes?

Greenstarfish03

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I have been using dow flakes for many years and it's never really dissolved very well and I was wondering if this just the way it is or if there is a trick to get it to dissolve completely. It would probably lead to more consistency if it dissolved completely. I use 1000g to 4 gallons of water usualy. I use an old formula from Randy I belive.
 

KrisReef

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I dissolve MgCl or MgSO4 in saltwater and those dissolve completely? Mg is highly soluble. I used to use some reefsalt mixes that left a could in the container and it turns out that is clay (used to keep the salt from clumping together). I suppose that Dowflake has some impurities in it (like the salt) that will not dissolve, otherwise I believe magnesium salts (pure) would not leave a residue until the MG was supersaturated. If you add more water and still have a residue then your magflake has impurities.

hth.
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Greenstarfish03

Greenstarfish03

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I dissolve MgCl or MgSO4 in saltwater and those dissolve completely? Mg is highly soluble. I used to use some reefsalt mixes that left a could in the container and it turns out that is clay (used to keep the salt from clumping together). I suppose that Dowflake has some impurities in it (like the salt) that will not dissolve, otherwise I believe magnesium salts (pure) would not leave a residue until the MG was supersaturated. If you add more water and still have a residue then your magflake has impurities.

hth.
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I'm sure it has some impurities in it. I dind't think about adding more water. That makes sense but if I do so Ill have to keep tweaking the timers on my dossing pumps b/c the solution will be diluted. My guess is that its impurities. I have a 50lb bag of this stuff that I have been user forever and its almost gone. When I run out I will probably just look for something more pure. Thanks for the input.
 

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