Question about BRS 2 Part Magnesium

[bluecheese]

I had purchased the BRS 2-part system a couple of years ago. I never finished the jugs as I switched to All For Reef which was easier for me to dose.

I’ve been kind of lackadaisical about testing all my parameters - only testing Alk, pH, calcium, phosphate and nitrate. I tested my magnesium today, and it was at 1180.

So I need to dose magnesium.

My question is, can I use the gallon jug of magnesium that came with the BRS 2-part kit to raise my magnesium levels? I mixed it, but it has sat unused for a while.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I had purchased the BRS 2-part system a couple of years ago. I never finished the jugs as I switched to All For Reef which was easier for me to dose.

I’ve been kind of lackadaisical about testing all my parameters - only testing Alk, pH, calcium, phosphate and nitrate. I tested my magnesium today, and it was at 1180.

So I need to dose magnesium.

My question is, can I use the gallon jug of magnesium that came with the BRS 2-part kit to raise my magnesium levels? I mixed it, but it has sat unused for a while.

Well, it’s not a perfect solution as it contains excessive sulfate for that purpose.

I am also concerned about accuracy and would check your new salt water with the same kit.

 

[bluecheese]

Well, it’s not a perfect solution as it contains excessive sulfate for that purpose.

I am also concerned about accuracy and would check your new salt water with the same kit.

Ok. I’ll test a fresh batch tomorrow and see what shakes out.

I’m using a Hanna checker.

So if I do need to dose magnesium, the BRS isn’t the best idea from what you’re saying. I’ll have to run by my LFS and see what they have.

 

[bluecheese]

Just tested a fresh batch of water. It came out as 1195. I'm using IO Reef Crystals. When I say "fresh batch" I keep 35 gallons of water in a Brute container premixed for my weekly water change. The current batch was mixed earlier this week. That is the water I tested.

I also tested the tank water, and the result was 1180.

Thoughts?

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

What salinity are you mixing it to? Reef crystals are supposed to mix at a higher magnesium then that. Closer to 1350 at 1.026 specific gravity from what I'm seeing.

 

[bluecheese]

I'm mixing to 35/1.026 per a refractometer. I calibrate with refracto-juice before each use.

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

How long have you been using the same salt bucket? And did you mix up the dry salt before first use so there's no possibility of the different elements stratifying?

 

[bluecheese]

How long have you been using the same salt bucket? And did you mix up the dry salt before first use so there's no possibility of the different elements stratifying?

My most recent order of Reef Crystals was the large one where the salt comes in bags. I emptied two of the bags into a Reef Crystals bucket from a previous order. I assume things got fairly mixed up when pouring out the bags. This was probably 3 weeks ago or so.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Then I expect the test kit (or the salinity measurement) is in error.

That’s the reason for this method:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/just-say-no-to-magnesium-testing-rmm-is-born.1017528/

 

[bluecheese]

Then I expect the test kit (or the salinity measurement) is in error.

That’s the reason for this method:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/just-say-no-to-magnesium-testing-rmm-is-born.1017528/

Thanks for the thread

Any idea if All For Reef adds magnesium in the 10% vs calcium range you mentioned?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the thread

Any idea if All For Reef adds magnesium in the 10% vs calcium range you mentioned?

It adds mag at 4.4% of calcium, so may be a bit deficient when coralline growth is strong.

 

[bluecheese]

It adds mag at 4.4% of calcium, so may be a bit deficient when coralline growth is strong.

So… how do you think I should handle it. I read your link and my take away was either ignore the test kit results, or add some mag when calcium is added. Right?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So… how do you think I should handle it. I read your link and my take away was either ignore the test kit results, or add some mag when calcium is added. Right?

Yes, or just add some extra mag to water changes. That’s what I did when using kalk only ant it worked fine.