Mixing Csm+b For Trace

[Jen]

I just received my CSM+B from Greg Watson, but I have no clue how to mix it together. It didn't come with a mixing guide. I went to the website, and it said to mix with Magnesium Sulfate, which, of course, I didn't order. Is it necessary? Or can I just add the csm+b to water?

 

[zig]

hmmm......dont know why it would say that, you dont "have" to mix it with mgso4 although you can, you would use this mix if your water lacks magnesium (common name epsom salts) i doubt if in your case it is nescessary, and even if it is it can be dosed seperatly.

For the CSM+B in your case with a 90 gallon i would mix up 250ml at a time, for this you need to add 14 grams or 1 tablespoon per 250ml of water, you will have absolutly no issues with solubility it dissolves really easy, it turns a brownish colour similar to tea, shake the bottle before you use it each time, some people have problems with a type of sludge buildup within the solution, shaking it will help, and this is why i would only mix small quantities at a time to avoid the problem, some also keep it in the fridge i used too but then i got lazy and now i dont bother and it has not made any difference for me anyway.

You dose 5ml per 20 US gallons 3x per week for EI.

 

[littleimp]

I just received my CSM+B from Greg Watson, but I have no clue how to mix it together. It didn't come with a mixing guide. I went to the website, and it said to mix with Magnesium Sulfate, which, of course, I didn't order. Is it necessary? Or can I just add the csm+b to water?

You mix the magnesium sulphate in a 50:50 weight mix. Magnesium sulphate is an underlooked part of the alkalinity process. If you don't have enough magnesium in your water then adding alkalinity buffers don't have a lot of effect. It;s also another usefu; trace element.

I am using this mix and seem to be getting good results with no ill effect to the stock.

 

[George Farmer]

Magnesium sulphate is an underlooked part of the alkalinity process. If you don't have enough magnesium in your water then adding alkalinity buffers don't have a lot of effect. It;s also another usefu; trace element.

I don't understand. What is the alkalinity process exactly, do you refer to increasing KH via bi-carb addition?

Magnesium is a macronutrient, not a trace BTW.

 

[littleimp]

Magnesium sulphate is an underlooked part of the alkalinity process. If you don't have enough magnesium in your water then adding alkalinity buffers don't have a lot of effect. It;s also another usefu; trace element.

I don't understand. What is the alkalinity process exactly, do you refer to increasing KH via bi-carb addition?

Magnesium is a macronutrient, not a trace BTW.

Yes, i do mean via carb additions. As well as useful magnesium additions (not normally found in CSM+B mixes but check with manufacturer to see).

With magnesium sulphate in the tank it helps prevent the precipitation of calcium carbonate(white stuff that forms) when bi-carb is added. It would also help with limescale(calcium carbonate) if you have the tendency to have hard water in your area. It's very complicated chemistry & their are a few sites out their that explain it. It's also a balanced thing whereas if you do not have enough magnesium the calcium level wil only rise to a certain peak. However the magnesium levels required in a freshwater tank are much lower than that of a saltwater tank as the alkalinity is also that much lower so it's not something that crops up very often.

It's also part of the sears/conlin pmdd formula which the EI princliple is based on due to found magnesium deficiencys.

Here's a link to their paper for those who have a chemistry degree!!!

http/www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/sears-conlin.html

 

[George Farmer]

That article is now considered out-dated to all EI users ref. PO4.

PO4 as the algae's limiting factor clearly isn't relevant these days, if I don't ADD (rather than limit as they suggest) PO4 then I get algae plain and simple.

I believe adding Mg is unecesary for those with water harder than around 4 dGH. I have never added it (KH 3.5, GH 6).

 

[jimbooo]

one tip on csm+b. keep it in the fridge, the sludge builds up when it gets warm.

(yes i know i was mocking zig for doing this but i now understand why)

LOL

my current mix is about 6 weeks old and no sludge at all.