driveway ice melter for MG supplement

[filefish949]

I was just wondering if anyone had used this stuff I found at K-Mart for MG supplementing they're tank, looks like it might be enough for 6 mos or a year for me... and only $3.00

[Daemonfly]

Only problem with that would be the questionable quality. $3 from K-mart doesn't make me feel it's of acceptable quality to be putting in our tanks. Don't know what kind of impurities could be in it.

[bfedick]

It works. There should be a chemical registration number on it, search the number and you should come up with a list of what is in it.

[BKtomodachi]

Personally, I would not trust the chemical purity of a $3 bag of ice melter.

[brshriver]

This is probably not pure enough.

 

Here are some better options:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Calcium,-Alk...c1_4/index.html

 

and a reef central thread on Dow and Mag flakes available in bulk from www.BuckeyeFieldSupply.com

 

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=1275153

 

 

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=1331119

 

Reefkeeping article on Magnesium and DIY supplements

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

 

 

HTH

 

Brett

[filefish949]

thanks guys, it is just that bulk reef supply is $16 plus shipping. i know that lots of guys have used the stuff from home depot, but it is a 50# bag and 2ndly, here in SO Cal, HD does not carry it. I have been using epsoms salt but am concerned about the sulfate build up potential

[brshriver]

The reefkeeping article

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php

 

tells you how to measure the sulfate rise affect over time given your doseage level and water change frequency.

 

They also give a recipe for a magnesium sulfate/magneesium chloride combined supplement that maintains the correct ionic balance between sulfate and chloride.

 

As for the de-icer from k-mart, I don't know what to say. The bulk reef suppliers are much cheaper than the seachem additive that I was using and depending on your tank size, one order will probably last a long time. I thought about the de-icer from HD, but I could not see risking all of the $$$ I have spent on coral to save a few dollars on a magnesium chloride source of unknown purity.

 

Good luck!

 

Brett

[filefish949]

but I could not see risking all of the $$$ I have spent on coral to save a few dollars on a magnesium chloride source of unknown purity.

 

Good luck!

 

Brett

 

exactly, that is why i am checking to see if someone else did I just don't need anything from BRS any time soon, but I will get some on my next order, I will probably need GAC in a few months anyways