Don't forget about Magnesium...Magnesium is an often overlooked ion found in sea water. Often the only time a hobbyist considers testing for it, or supplementing, is when an aquarium is having problems maintaining constant alkalinity and calcium balances.
About Magnesium...In natural seawater, magnesium is readily available at an average concentration of 1285ppm. Magnesium can be found in a number of coral skeletons. For instance Gorgonia (Eunicilla papillosa) has a magnesium skeletal content of 2.2-2.7%, likewise, from the family Pocillopora, corals have a magnesium skeletal content of 0.34%. So what does that mean? Why is it important to my aquarium?
Basically, it means that magnesium is utilized by corals skeletons, and is an important part in the process known as calcification. Fortunately, most modern salt mixes contain a reasonable amount of magnesium, usually surpassing NSW (natural sea water), and boasting levels up to or slightly surpassing 1350 ppm.Troubleshooting alkalinity and calcium imbalances with magnesium.Some studies on magnesium indicate that magnesium is what holds calcium and carbonates from precipitating from sea water, keeping them both in the water column longer allows corals more time to absorb the necessary ions. Through dedicated testing it has been determined that maintaining a magnesium level close to, or above that of natural sea water, delays the precipitation of calcium and carbonates from sea water by 13-20 hours. From this, one can infer that if calcium and carbonates remain available for longer periods of time, coral growth should increase dramatically.
If magnesium is deficient, then calcium and carbonates are more likely to precipitate from seawater at higher rates. The result is ionic imbalance, where the ratio relationship between calcium and carbonates has been lost and impossible to maintain. (as frequent testing of your aquariums water will show) The only solution would be increase the available level of magnesium (with an appropriate additive) and regain the balance between calcium and carbonates (again, using the appropriate additives).
How often should I test magnesium?
If using an appropriate salt mix and keeping up with regular water changes, magnesium may never be an issue in your aquarium. Likewise, knowing the magnesium level of your salt mix, and if need be, making the appropriate adjustments (using an additive) will go a long way to creating a stable healthy environment in your aquarium.
Our Advice:
- Ask our staff about the magnesium content of your salt mix.
- Purchase a magnesium test kit to monitor your magnesium at home.
- Have the appropriate buffer of additive on hand to combat any magnesium deficiencies. Keep your magnesium at a level of approximately 3 times your calcium level or 1350 ppm.
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