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No magnesium in source water.

roadmaster

roadmaster

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Joined
18 Oct 2009
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1,448
Location
United States
Greeting's all.
My source water's total hardness is as CaCO3 215 mg/l.(no Mg)
My 300 litre low tech, NON CO2 tank currently receives 1/2 tsp to 3/4 tsp KNO3,KH2PO4,once a week and 1/2 tsp CSM+B once or twice a week with weekly 50% water change.
Lighting is 65watt X 2 50/50 6700/10,000 k CFL bulb's.
Tank is heavily planted,filtered by one RENA XP3.
Presently adding 1/2 tsp Epsom salt each week to provide Mg but wonder if I should /could use more?
What does Mg deficency appear like?
Many thank's in advance, Lee
 
Lee,
Are you sure that the water does not contain Mg? The expression you stated, perhaps pulled from the water report says "...is as CaCO3...."

This usually indicates that you don really have CaCO3 in the water but that the total effect of what you do have is equivalent to as if you did have CaCO3 (no easy way to write that, I hope it doesn't sound like babble).

If you have a link to the water report we can have a look at it to verify.

In any case Mg shortfall is extremely unlikely if you are dosing Epsom, especially if it is non CO2 enriched. Yellowing between the veins and some stunting are the typical symptoms, so it tends to look like Nitrogen or Iron shortage.

Cheers,
 
Ceg,
Am looking at report that was faxed.
It say's,,, Total hardness as( CaCO3) 215 mg/L ,and then it say's 12.6 grain's per gallon total hardness (as CaCO3, )(naturally occurring).
Makes no mention anywhere else as to Mg.
Am pleased it was you who responded.
 
Yeah mate, when is says "..as CaCO3.." then this usually means there is a combination and they just wanted to report a single equivalent value.

I would have though the data is online. Can you tell me the state and county or municipality in the USA? Might be able to google for it and the on line data might be more complete. Or, just write back to them and ask for the individual Mg value.

Cheers,
 
Saint Joseph Missouri, Buchanan County is my stomping ground's.
If it is as you say,,then i might not need to be adding the epsom salt and can use it to soak my feet.
 
Yeah, it does wonders after a long day walking...

Although I was able to locate the water quality site at BUCHANAN County: Clean Water Act Status Report I wasn't able to find any information in any of the counties for Mg. It seems they only concentrate on known toxins.

Isn't this where Dorothy was swept up into the Land of Oz?

What I always suggest is that you experiment with dosing levels both increasing and decreasing and record observations over some weeks to see if there are any effects. Again, if you're not seeing any obvious failure then it's likely that you have sufficient levels in the source water. It's not as easy to tell in low tech...sorry...

Cheers,
 
Well, Thank's for having a look see. I think I shall do some expierimenting as you suggest.
Yes, Dorothy (and her little dog too) ,were swept up by tornado just five miles from here .🙄
Some thirty miles to the north,,event's transpired a few year's ago that inspired the book entiltled.. 'In broad daylight".
Is story of small town bully who was killed in town square by person(s) unknown, depite it being in town square with numerous folk's around,and middle of afternoon.
Again,,thank's for your time.

Lee.
 
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