| Magnesium is often one of the most overlooked | | | | As noted in bullet number 2 when maintaining a reef |
| properties of your reef’s synthetic seawater and | | | | aquarium it is critical that you use a salt mix |
| although this is one of the most important factors | | | | formulated for a reef environment. Generally more |
| considered in growth and health of most stony corals. | | | | costly than regular salts such as instant ocean it will |
| Just like calcium and alkalinity magnesium is depleted | | | | save you money and less loss of inhabitants in the |
| by your reef inhabitants. It is also an important factor | | | | long run. |
| in maintaining stable calcium and alkalinity levels. | | | | Magnesium is the 3rd most abundant ion in natural |
| Just like all other ions in a reef tank you want to | | | | seawater, first being sodium and second being |
| produce levels as close to natural seawater as | | | | chloride it is often overlooked until there is a problem |
| possible. For this reason maintaining a level of at least | | | | by aquarist’s. I have personally tested a tank |
| 1290 to 1400ppm of magnesium is critical. Speaking | | | | with magnesium deficiency and most cultured corals |
| from experience most stony corals will show lack of | | | | significantly lack in growth and many slowly bleach |
| growth around 1100ppm and start declining in health | | | | and STN(slow tissue necrosis). Polyp extension is |
| at around 1000 or 900ppm. | | | | highly lacking as well. After raising the magnesium |
| There are many ways to keep your magnesium | | | | level to the correct range we noticed almost |
| levels as stable as possible. | | | | immediately increased polyp extension and over a |
| • Magnesium supplements such as Tropic Marin, | | | | few days increased growth in the tips of cultured |
| Kent Marine or Bulk Magnesium Chloride. | | | | corals. Make sure to raise these levels slowly as you |
| • Using Salts that have high magnesium Content. | | | | would any other parameter. |
| Many Salts use half the recommended amount to | | | | In essence maintaining a healthy growing reef |
| stay inexpensive. | | | | environment requires that your magnesium not be |
| • Frequent Water changes with a high magnesium | | | | overlooked. Frequent testing and use of high quality |
| Salt such as Oceanic Salt Mix( My personal | | | | supplements and salt mixes will make this process |
| preference. | | | | much easier and save you money in the long run. |