I have been dosing BRS Two Part due to ease and reliability. Like many I learn something new every day in this hobby. It's time to dose my gallon of Magnesium, and wouldn't ya know it, it's also time for a water change. So, I poured my gallon of magnesium solution into my 5 gallon bucket, topped it off with RODI water, and tested the salinity before adding my Reef Crystal's. Salinity reads 1.029 without reef crystals (I'll dilute down to 1.024 and pull a little extra out to match my current system salinity). So, my question is, can I replace my 5 gallons with magnesium salts v. Reef Crystals without dramatic affect to tank chemistry, corals, or fish?
Magnesium Salt Replacing Sea Salt
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tjnorthdakota
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what is your tank info and current magnesium level? A full gallon of mag salts seems like it would be way overkill unless you have a huge tank and low magnesium level.
tjnorthdakota
Active Member
Do you test your mag level? Personally I rarely if ever have to add magnesium. If you do regular water changes and have a low coral load chances are your tank doesnt need it. Also mag salts are no replacement for reef salt which is chemically very different and contains many more elements corals need.
Thanks. That's what I was looking for. I test for mag about once per month. Seems to be about all i need. As you said, low coral load. I have only needed to add mag about once every 3 months. Thanks again.
p7willm
Active Member
More than a specific level of any material fish, coral, and stuff like to have a steady level of material. If you test and find something is off it is far better to raise/lower it slowly over a bunch of days rather than dump a bunch in and get the level changed now.
I agree with the others. Although magnesium is the second most abundant ionic salt in seawater, it is no substitute. It'd just cause problems. Glad you didn't pour it in 
That's the beauty of these forums, right! These communities sure have saved me several times over the years !
Happy Reefing!
-Randy
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