How much epson salt

Scouter Steve · 04-28-2007, 10:50 PM

I use the reef calculator and it says to add 5.5 oz of epson salt. Umm how much is 5.5 oz. I do not have a scale!

lcstorc · 04-28-2007, 10:55 PM

A tiny bit over 2/3 cup.

Scouter Steve · 04-28-2007, 11:01 PM

Lynn you are my hero! You reply to me very often. My ASM G-4x is awesome as you said it would be.

DaveK · 04-29-2007, 09:11 AM

My question is why do you need to add epsom salt? While I have heard of it being used to increase magnesium in a system, wouldn't you be better off using a salt that has enough magnesium to start with, and doing regular water changes?

Magnesium doesn't seem to be something that can get depleted quickly, like for example calcium.

murkywaters · 04-29-2007, 10:31 AM

yeah I'm all ears on this. I've never heard of that.

Scouter Steve · 04-29-2007, 12:06 PM

I am using Reef crystals and it tested at 1200 (Mg)

DaBird · 04-29-2007, 03:25 PM

I am also wondering why?...Is it just to add supplements?..

lcstorc · 04-29-2007, 03:56 PM

Really there is no difference. If your salt is low on Mag then you need to supplement it. I use TM Pro Reef and it is generally low on alk so I supplement that. Different salts have different levels. That is why it is important to test your NSW. I don't test mine every time but I do when I open a new bucket of salt even though I alway buy the same brand. In some cases there is a difference between batches though I have not found that with TM Pro. I test anyway just to be sure.

DaveK · 05-03-2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Really there is no difference. If your salt is low on Mag then you need to supplement it. I use TM Pro Reef and it is generally low on alk so I supplement that. Different salts have different levels. That is why it is important to test your NSW. I don't test mine every time but I do when I open a new bucket of salt even though I alway buy the same brand. In some cases there is a difference between batches though I have not found that with TM Pro. I test anyway just to be sure.

I'm not calling you wrong, but I can't help feel that if a salt is low in one area that I can test, I suspect that it's also low in other areas that I can't test.

My thought is that if your salt is low on Magnesium, you need a new brand of salt. Magnesium is a very basic component, and not that expensive, so there is no reason for the salt manufacturer to skimp on it.

Ditto if I found a lot of differences between batches. Time to try a new salt.

sasquatch · 05-03-2007, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK

I'm not calling you wrong, but I can't help feel that if a salt is low in one area that I can test, I suspect that it's also low in other areas that I can't test.

My thought is that if your salt is low on Magnesium, you need a new brand of salt. Magnesium is a very basic component, and not that expensive, so there is no reason for the salt manufacturer to skimp on it.

Ditto if I found a lot of differences between batches. Time to try a new salt.

Notable Thoughts there Dave! I was thinking that most salt mixes are aimed at fish only markets with a resulting lower requirement for various ingredients, and creating the need to up some levels. Steve

Scouter Steve · 05-03-2007, 10:39 PM

All I know is I have visible change in corraline growth 2 days after getting my MG up to 1300. Been keeping Ca and Alk up for a while but the Mg made it explode.

sasquatch · 05-03-2007, 10:46 PM

it is a complex relation between the three(over my head!) and there is an issue using epsom salts, think its sulfide build up?

DaveK · 05-05-2007, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scouter Steve

All I know is I have visible change in corraline growth 2 days after getting my MG up to 1300. Been keeping Ca and Alk up for a while but the Mg made it explode.

I don't doubt this, because as pointed out, magnesium is key to being able to maintain calcium and alkalinity. I would still tend to think that the same results would have been obtained by using a salt that mixed to 1300 to start with.

I also agree with sasquatch about the possible sulfide build up, although using epson salts to boost magnesium once shouldn't cause a problem.

lcstorc · 05-05-2007, 10:16 AM

I know people who have been using it for years with no problem and it has been listed in any number of articles as a good way to boost your magnesium.
Also I use the most balanced salt I have been able to find. TM Pro Reef, it tests great on everything except alk so I do have to supplement that. I really have never found a salt that has everything in the right levels but the TMPro is by far the closest I have found. Also I have not noticed a difference between batches with the TMPro, but since I have with other salts I go the safer way and test regardless. Someday it could save me a world of heartache by taking a few minutes to run the tests.
Better safe than sorry IMO.

Ashlar · 06-03-2007, 11:18 PM

If you can lay your hands on it, a combination of Mag Flake and Epsom Salt is recommeded as well (supposedly to offset the sulfur build-up.)

04-28-2007, 10:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	How much epson salt I use the reef calculator and it says to add 5.5 oz of epson salt. Umm how much is 5.5 oz. I do not have a scale!

04-28-2007, 10:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,466 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much epson salt A tiny bit over 2/3 cup. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

04-28-2007, 11:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much epson salt Lynn you are my hero! You reply to me very often. My ASM G-4x is awesome as you said it would be.

04-29-2007, 09:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 648 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much epson salt My question is why do you need to add epsom salt? While I have heard of it being used to increase magnesium in a system, wouldn't you be better off using a salt that has enough magnesium to start with, and doing regular water changes? Magnesium doesn't seem to be something that can get depleted quickly, like for example calcium.

04-29-2007, 10:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
murkywaters Elegance coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,238 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much epson salt yeah I'm all ears on this. I've never heard of that. __________________ GO SPURS GO Spurs are the champions whoot (I was offered deluxed accomodations in the doghouse for not updating this sooner) The videos below are of Mrs. Teresa Sasquatch, http://www.reefspace.net/video/video...859:Video:9950 http://www.reefspace.net/video/video...59:Video:10166

04-29-2007, 12:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much epson salt I am using Reef crystals and it tested at 1200 (Mg)

04-29-2007, 03:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
DaBird Smart Alec with feathers Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Spring Branch, Texas Posts: 1,042 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much epson salt I am also wondering why?...Is it just to add supplements?.. __________________ "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging..." Will Rogers 75 gal Oceanic started in 2001 30 gal fuge/sump 125 lb. LR, 100 lb. LS 2x 250w Reflux MH 12,000k pendants Remora pro skimmer W/1200 mag. Hydor Korlia #4, 6 assorted PHs. 1 pair of Ocellaris, Powder Blue Tang, Yellow Tang, Regal Tang, Scooter, Lawnmower, Red Mandarin, Flame Angel, 2 chromis, Copperband, 1 Emerald, 2 Blue legs, 1 Zebra hermit... Acros,Rainbow Monti, Leathers, Zoos, Zoos and more Zoos, Shrooms...

04-29-2007, 03:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,466 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much epson salt Really there is no difference. If your salt is low on Mag then you need to supplement it. I use TM Pro Reef and it is generally low on alk so I supplement that. Different salts have different levels. That is why it is important to test your NSW. I don't test mine every time but I do when I open a new bucket of salt even though I alway buy the same brand. In some cases there is a difference between batches though I have not found that with TM Pro. I test anyway just to be sure. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

05-03-2007, 10:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much epson salt All I know is I have visible change in corraline growth 2 days after getting my MG up to 1300. Been keeping Ca and Alk up for a while but the Mg made it explode.

05-03-2007, 10:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much epson salt it is a complex relation between the three(over my head!) and there is an issue using epsom salts, think its sulfide build up?

05-05-2007, 10:16 AM	#14 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,466 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How much epson salt I know people who have been using it for years with no problem and it has been listed in any number of articles as a good way to boost your magnesium. Also I use the most balanced salt I have been able to find. TM Pro Reef, it tests great on everything except alk so I do have to supplement that. I really have never found a salt that has everything in the right levels but the TMPro is by far the closest I have found. Also I have not noticed a difference between batches with the TMPro, but since I have with other salts I go the safer way and test regardless. Someday it could save me a world of heartache by taking a few minutes to run the tests. Better safe than sorry IMO. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

06-03-2007, 11:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ashlar Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How much epson salt If you can lay your hands on it, a combination of Mag Flake and Epsom Salt is recommeded as well (supposedly to offset the sulfur build-up.)

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