Bryopsis Control - MgCl2 Dosing? – 11/12/09
Hello Crew,
<Cassidy>
I have been reading about controlling Bryopsis with Kent Tech M MG Supplements. Keeping a high level about 1600+ ppm for a few weeks kills the weeds apparently. Have you heard anything about this?
<Mmm, yes... in fact, as an olde timey gardener, Magnesium salts are sometimes used as herbicides in terrestrial applications>
People report that no other brands of mg have an effect on Bryopsis with the exception of Kent Tech M.
<Mmm... well...>
The ingredients are listed as Deionized H2O, MgSo4, and MgCl2. After checking other popular brands of Mg additives I find that many do not have any MgCl2, or lower concentrations than Tech M. Is it possible that high levels of MgCl2 impede some biological processes of Bryopsis?
<Indeed; it is certainly possible>
The only other factor could be trace amounts of copper in the Tech M but copper typically doesn't affect algae - well at least in fresh water environments.
<Nay! Copper compounds are used extensively in algal control in all kinds of waters; including fresh>
I know that the high amount of Mg will raise the Ca and skew the Alk, but what about boron? Wouldn't it plummet with this high dose?
<Depends on how high; but you are correct to be concerned re ratios in driving anyone concentration higher/lower>
Do you foresee any adverse reactions to livestock in general from this?
<Not if done w/in reason... but...>
Thanks for any help you are able to provide,
Cassidy
<As luck/fortune would have it, I have just yesterday re-sorted the marine algae subFAQs into "by genus" pages... The one for Bryopsis & Derbesia is here: http://wetwebmedia.com/BryopsisF.htm
Have a read through, and we'll be chatting, Bob Fenner>