Magnesium dosing question

[dlemonz]

Hi everyone! I am trying to figure out magnesium dosing. I am following Randy’s two part method - sodium bicarbonate for alk and calcium chloride. for the magnesium, how come you can’t just dose magnesium chloride? He uses magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride. I thought sulfate build up is bad so why not just eliminate adding it? @Randy Holmes-Farley can you please explain? Also all of your posts are super informative so thank you!!!

 

[AKReefing]

I'm deferring to @Randy Holmes-Farley, but I believe sulfate is a necessary component, and Part 3B (magnesium sulfate alone) would cause an accumulation of sulfate over time, while 3A (magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride hexahydrate) is more balanced, maintaining the magnesium level while cutting the excess sulfate.

 

[AKReefing]

Duplicate

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sulfate is the third most abundant ion in seawater by weight. If you always use just calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, sulfate gets pushed down.

I explain these sorts of issues here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/how-a...-calcium-system-works-and-why-it-matters.958/