http://www.aquaticlifeaquariums.com.au/contents/media/l_SEACHEM.JPG
Brian Baker from Seachem will be giving a talk about the importance of Alk, Calcium, and Mag in your tank and how to maintain the balance and how that balance applies to you.

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The location will be back at Steve Shindells office building on the lower level (ask the evening security guard at the front desk if you're not sure where to go). Here's basic directions for those that haven't made it out to this location before:

From I-75 South-bound:

Take Exit #255, West Paces Ferry and Northside Parkway. Turn left off the exit ramp. You will pass under I-75. Turn right at the first light onto Northside Parkway. Go to the second light, and turn right on Howell Mill Road. Go up the hill, and turn left on the first street, Downwood Circle. Go straight on Downwood Circle into the parking deck (all the way down the road). The building will be on your left.

From I-75 North-bound:

Take Exit #255, West Paces Ferry and Northside Parkway. Turn right off the exit onto Northside Parkway. Take an immediate right onto Howell Mill Road. Go up the hill, and turn left on the first street, Downwood Circle. Go straight on Downwood Circle into the parking deck (all the way down the road). The building will be on your left.


3200 Downwood Cir Nw
Atlanta, GA 30327

Or MapQuest directions can be found here (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=%5b3100%2d3274%5d%20Downwood%20Cir %20Nw&city=Atlanta&state=GA&zipcode=30327&country=US&title=%3cb%3e%5b3100%2d3274%5d%20Downwood%20Cir%20 Nw%3c%2fb%3e%3cbr%20%2f%3e%20Atlanta%2c%20GA%20303 27%2c%20%20US&cid=lfmaplink2&name=).

I am really looking forward to this one. Thanks for setting this up.

Ya I am looking forward to another seachem talk.... Last one I saw was very informative... Thanks Kevin, I am glad you had this great idea! ;)

We are lucky to have such a great company in our backyard. This talk should be very informative.

I am really looking forward to this. I tried last months and got lost and came back here and was told it was in front of me. Hopefully some signs will be there.

There might not be any signs. If you are at the building, ask the security guard, he konws were we are

I'll take the front seat this time. :D

07-10-07 at 730 right?

07-10-07 at 730 right?

Yup!

Also... everyone needs to check out this thread (http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5607)for a special announcement :D

I need a mole on the inside with a cellphone in case we get lost......

What was the difficulty last time? Figuring out what building or actually finding Downwood Circle?

finding the thing was very very easy for us. Im going to ask the SeaChem guy about their freaking calcium gluconate and SPS RTN.

Excellent talk from Brian...great meeting! Thanks for setting it up ARC!

I am seriously bummed I missed this. The Seachem talk I attended at Posiedens Reef was really good but brief. Any chance someone recorded this or made notes?

Cliff notes:
Part I - Importance of Mg
Magnesium is essential to the ability to maintain Ca, Alk, and pH.
Magnesium can maintain in solution in much higher levels than Ca or Sr due to being higher up in the same column on the periodic table (ie more soluable).
High magnesium levels serve as interference (orange ping pong balls) between Ca ions (white ping pong balls with white velcro) and Carbonate molecules (white with black velcro).
Magnesium blocks the Ca Carbonate reaction and allows Ca ions to remain in solution at higher ppm levels in the usable form to corals. Ca does not good to aquarists in CaCarbonate form (chalk/snowstorm/precipitate).

PartII - Why Seachem?
Magnesium Sulfate (Seachem) = Best (doesn't add to sulfates)
Epsom Salt = Magnesium Sulfate but may have additives that can hurt such as Ocean Breeze fragrance
Liquid Magnesium (Mg Chlorate?) = Good in a pinch. It is much more soluble than Mag Sulfate and boosts it much more quickly (higher concentration). However, it contains harmful organics (read ammonia and nitrates) due to the way it is produced. Not a good long term solution.
No magnesium additive at all = Tank crash waiting to happen

Part III - Buffers

Not all buffers are the same.
Buffers shift formulas over time.
Strongest is Sodium Bicarbonate that buffers to 8.9ish
That breaks down into Sodium Carbonate that buffers to 8.4ish
It then breaks down into [dont remember] which buffers 7.8.
Finally goes to CO2 which is nuetral.
What you add to the tank is not the only buffer in the tank. Other sources of acids and bases shift your pH for you. You have to override them to get where you want to be.
If your Mg is good and you are still not able to raise your pH to the proper levels, then you should call Seachem Tech Support to pinpoint the source of the other buffer that is controlling the tank.
I know the third section isn't making sense but I am doing all this off memory and please someone correct all this.

Oh yeah.

Part IV - Q&A
Don't remember them all but this one I remember since I didn't know it.
Are high Ca levels required for softies (ie shrooms, leathers, zoas) growth?
To some degree it helps, but iodine levels are much more important for softie growth.

Part V - FREE Seachem Magnesium supplements for everybody!!!