epsom salt

[skimmerman100]

i was wondering if i use epsom salt for magnesium will there be any side affects that are negative? will it affect my alk? my ph? i am wondering because brightwell is getting kinda expensive and i want to save money. what is the ingredient for calcium?

 

[SevTT]

i was wondering if i use epsom salt for magnesium will there be any side affects that are negative? will it affect my alk? my ph? i am wondering because brightwell is getting kinda expensive and i want to save money. what is the ingredient for calcium?

Epsom salt's generally accepted as OK for making occasional adjustments to mag, but people wonder about the effect of elevated sulfate levels, so it may not be best if you have to make continual adjustments to your mag levels. Epsom salts generally won't reduce your alk/ca, but will temporarily depress your pH unless you add it slowly; it's advised, of course, to pre-dissolve the salts.

As far as calcium, I use kalkwasser in my topoff (which is run by an ATO, pumped by an aqualifter and controlled by my Apex.) It's cheap and is a balanced Ca/CO3 additive. However, it's a giant pain in the ass unless you're maintaining your water level with an ATO, in which case it becomes one of the most convenient methods of dosing. Even if it doesn't totally keep up with your calcium/alk demand, it greatly reduces your reliance on expensive two-parts.

 

[pecan2phat]

Just use Mag Flakes from Dead Sea Scrolls if you can find it. It's a brand of ice melt. Use to be pretty common at the Lowes & Home Depots but in the last 2-3 years, been hard to find. Runs about $17 for a 50lb bag.

 

[SevTT]

Just use Mag Flakes from Dead Sea Scrolls if you can find it. It's a brand of ice melt. Use to be pretty common at the Lowes & Home Depots but in the last 2-3 years, been hard to find. Runs about $17 for a 50lb bag.

I think you can buy the same compound relatively cheap from Bulk Reef Supply and other places. I think it's magnesium chloride?

 

[pecan2phat]

BRS sells the magnesium chloride and might be in a purer form but cheap it is not. 40lbs cost $70 plus shipping on that weight is about $20+ to NY.

 

[Cibo]

I know there are ways to save money but is it worth the risk of wipeout! I stick to the name brands and the better brands call me crazy I would not want to watch everthing die in my tank because I wanted to save a cent!