View Single Post
Old 05-09-2008, 08:09 PM   #14 (permalink)
Carissa
Planted Member
 
PTrader: (0)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 164
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrkookm View Post
The use of Epsom Salt (MgSO4) and Calcium (CaSO4 or CaCL2) at a Ca:Mg ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 is good for starters.
This wouldn't mean 3:1 based on volume though....since CaCl2 is 63.7% Ca by weight, and MgSO4 is only 25.3% Mg by weight.

So to add a ratio of 3:1 Ca:Mg, since you only need about 40% of the Ca as you do Mg by weight to get EQUAL amounts of each, to triple the amount of Ca that you are adding compared to Mg, you would need to use the ratio by weight of 1.2:1 Ca:Mg. How this compares volume wise I'm not sure, I'm thinking that Mg may be heavier since it's usually a smaller grain size.
__________________
Check out my website!

http://beginneraquarist.petfish.net
Carissa is offline   Reply With Quote