Should i dose magnesium?

[Ash321]

So been using ati essentials a 3 part solution although due to my magnesium being around 1580 i decided to not dose the magnesium 7 months later it now sits steady at around 1260.

Now ati say i should be dosing all 3 solutions and 2+3 in equal parts and not to test for magnesium at home? (Part 2 is calcium) (part 3 is mag)

 

[SPR1968]

You only need to dose what’s low and therefore if the Magnesium level has dropped, which it has, then you need to add more of whatever your using to bring it back to the correct level to whatever your target is.

It’s the same with any of the elements. If you don’t add anything it will just keep dropping and Magnesium plays a key role in the chemistry of the system.

 

[theMeat]

You should dose

Magnesium being as high as 1600 I have not found to cause/be a problem. Below 1250 and it is

 

[Ash321]

Iv always just tried to keep it within sea level parameters i think the main reason for them insisting you dose the mag as it contains other trace elements which they dont disclose unfortunately

 

[Martin Kuhn]

Iv always just tried to keep it within sea level parameters i think the main reason for them insisting you dose the mag as it contains other trace elements which they dont disclose unfortunately

I absolutely agree
That’s exactly the issue with 2/3 part systems sticking to a fixed dosing.
Tanks consume different amounts of macro elements. This is especially for Mg where we find tanks with zero as well with High consumption. Mg will go through the ceiling if you continue

I prefer systems that dose generally „consumption orientated“ (also for Ca Alk) but especially for Mg.

Measure parameters again and again. Adjust dosing separately as required .... you will be satisfied in the end

 

[theMeat]

True.
Magnesium goes up and down much slower than calcium and alkaline, so you don’t have to check nearly as often. But if magnesium gets too low it will cause alkaline to swing around, which makes calcium swing around too

 

[Peekay]

This is great information. I'm receiving my dosing pump and 3 part dosing container today and my Magnesium test kit (Salifert) tomorrow. I definitely see Alk and Calc consumption in my tank (Hanna checkers), but have no idea where my Mg is. My tank looks OK, but not getting the growth I want (I know I need to be patient, it's only like 3 months old)

 

[Ash321]

I absolutely agree
That’s exactly the issue with 2/3 part systems sticking to a fixed dosing.
Tanks consume different amounts of macro elements. This is especially for Mg where we find tanks with zero as well with High consumption. Mg will go through the ceiling if you continue

I prefer systems that dose generally „consumption orientated“ (also for Ca Alk) but especially for Mg.

Measure parameters again and again. Adjust dosing separately as required .... you will be satisfied in the end

well just got my icp so seems except iodine im all good so guess there isnt many minerals in the mag solution