[goldfishes]

Should I still be adding the Mg? I already have hard water without the addition, it is 10dh, when I add the Mg, it increases to almost 16dh. Should I still be adding the Mg, or leave it out of my new batch. If I do leave it out, will there be any side effects from removing the additional Mg? Thanks.

 

[Zapins]

It depends how often you do water changes. If they are very infrequent (1-2 months) then you might need to add Mg.

Otherwise, regular water changes will replace it before it ever becomes depleted.

Mg just needs to be present. It doesn't have to be present in huge quantities. Usually plants do best when there is a 4:1 or 3:1 ratio between calcium and magnesium. So if you keep adding magnesium and the plants aren't using it at the same rate you are adding it then you will get stunting and nutrient blocking problems. Its probably best to just rely on water changes for Mg since groundwater is usually full of both in the correct ratios.

 

[goldfishes]

Thanks, Zapins. I am going to eliminate the Mg and see what happens.

 

[Muirner]

did you have problems when you left those chemicals in the solution? I believe i have harder water up here in VT, and i'm about to make the solution so i dont want to screw myself over.

 

[goldfishes]

My rotala and downoi completely melted when I added Mg.

 

[goldfishes]

I just wanted to update this thread to share one important lesson I learned. My test kit was totally wrong. I have since learned how to calibrate Kh and Gh test kits and both were off by more than 50%. So based on that, I am not longer sure I should have quit dosing Mg. My Kh and Gh are actually 6, and 7 degrees.

 

[Jeffww]

Check your municipal water report. I have 2-4ppm mg and 30ppm calcium right out of the tap, already perfect for plants. So I don't dose Mg or Ca; ever.

 

[Scrupie]

I stopped my MG dosing and the tank ran out and my crypts and melon swords leaves started to come in almost white and fall apart. Was doing water changes etc but plants were using up the MG and CA. Just got back on track and they are starting grow again. The PPS charts (THANKS UNCLE ED) are FANTASTIC and tweak the dosages for your tank. (if you don't have MS Excel office get Open Office and the charts will work great) Older MSworks doesn't work the charts.

 

[Edward]

Nice to have some Mg in water supply, but it is MgCO3. The PPS-Pro uses MgSO4. It is easy to use, cheap and plants like it more. If you want you can get it from any local Drug Store as Epsom Salt, $1/lb.

 

[goldfishes]

I am glad you replied to this Edward, I just made up a new batch and the difference is amazing. The plants are actually responding positively. I think the melting earlier was contributed to other factors as I was just starting out in the hobby.