Mag Flake - Checking Interest

[lachrimae]

I'll be ordering a 50lb bag of Mag Flake pretty soon and want to know how many people might be interested in a group buy. Once I get an idea of how many people might be interested in a 50lb bag I'll check to see if the bulk purchase provides any considerable savings.

Logistically, I am in Leander (NW of Austin) but could meet someone in, say, San Marcos to deliver bags down to the San Antonio participants or maybe we could make an exchange at a meeting.

If you're not sure what Mag Flake is, it's used in this recipe:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Basically, this Magnesium Chloride can be used to maintain your Magnesium levels (instead of spending a fortune on name brand aquaria products)

Let me know if you _might_ be interested. I'll provide pricing info as soon as I get it.

Mark

[lachrimae]

Here's some more information:

www.harveysalt.com

Bags are 50lbs only (they are considering selling smaller quantities at some point in the future).

If 5 or fewer bags are purchased:
$15 per bag + $5 boxing fee + UPS shipping

If 6 to 47 bags are purchased they can bundle these together w/out the boxing fee and ship it via LTL. Lower quantities of this may not pay off, depending upon whether we ship residential or commercial.

If 48+ bags are purchased they throw it on a pallet & ship LTL. Cost per bag at this quantity is $13.25


They did mention in passing that someone (in NY perhaps) paid for 1 bag ($15 + $5 box) plus shipping of $23.50 so this means they paid about $43.50 to get it to their door.

Once we get an idea of how many people (if any) are interested in this, we can decide whether it's worth doing a group buy or not.

Mark

[GaryP]

You can just use Epsom Salt from HEB or Wal-Mart. A lot easier then making a big buy and the price is not much different.

[lachrimae]

Epsom isn't much different if you don't mind an increase over time of Sulfates... (According to Randy Holmes-Farley in the linked article)

This post is not to debate whether or not Epsom or Magnesium Chloride from Dow is better.

So, once again: If you are interested in a group buy and don't want the increased sulfates that coincide with Epsom use, please let me know.

Thanks,

Mark

[GaryP]

Ohhh, OK

[lachrimae]

- edited by lachrimae -

[GaryP]

You are absolutely correct. Sorry about that, I was off topic. My aplogies. I will post in the General and edit my previous post.

[lachrimae]

No problem!

Please make a post if you hear back from Randy on the Sulfate/Chloride topic.

Mark

[GaryP]

I will. I just finished posting in his forum on Reefs.org. I'll copy it in the general forum. I see now you are using his improved DIY formula. That's cool.

[Pacman]

I've been having Ca/Alk problems so I got some magnesium and started blindly adding some, knowing that it was probably low. And of course not wanting to blindly dose something I finally got a a Magnesium test kit...

My Magnesium was 1020! AFTER dosing for the last week! Way low. Anyway, I guess I'd be "interested" but don't really need very much as my aquarium is only a 45. Just keep me up to date if you go through with the order.

[Wryknow]

I'm in for a bag or two. I definitely want to try the 2-part recipe. I live in NW Austin.