Quick Chemistry: What is the Role of Magnesium in Reef Aquariums?

What is the role of Magnesium in the reef aquarium? The interactions of Magnesium, Calcium, and Alkalinity are closely tied to one another. Magnesium provides buffering capacity by bonding with carbonate ions. Carbonate being another word for alkalinity. Because Magnesium is binding up carbonate, it allows for more carbonate in the water than if Magnesium wasn’t there. When magnesium levels are appropriately high, it allows for the addition of calcium without the associated drop in alkalinity.

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