ALK .. Ca.. and Mg water chemistry

[SnowManSnow]

so, I understand how alk and ca relate, but how does magnesium factor into the equation with calcium levels?

I attended a seminar last weekend with a gentilman who explained it, but I found it quite confusing.

Anyone have a "common man's" insight into this?

Thanks,

B

 

[Ben1]

Probably more then what you wanted, but

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/oct2003/chem.htm

Basically you need it, lol. I was having chronic problems keeping my Mg in line untill I added Zeomag to my reactor now it stays a constant 1350-1400. I was adding the max dose of tropic marins bio-magnesium for a while to to get it up just a few hundred points. Once I got it close the Zeomag has kept it from dropping back down.

 

[das75]

Find the main thing is Mg and Ca stays close to a 3:1 ratio.

Had been pushing in Ca but couldn't get it to stay up. End up the last few pails of IO salt the Mg was testing in round 900 ppm. Once started supplementing the change water to a Mg of 1300ppm no problem maintaining the Ca.