15 Alk too high?

GpixL_ · May 22, 2022

topjago said:
How do you mix the salt ?

So what I am going to do is put the salt slowly in the tank. Ill take the rocks out so there is only sand.

topjago · May 22, 2022

GpixL_ said:
So what I am going to do is put the salt slowly in the tank. Ill take the rocks out so there is only sand.

I would recommend just putting one cup at a time and don’t dump it in just sprinkle it. And wait 5min and do it again you don’t want the water to be super cloudy when adding more salt let it mix a bit. It’s been my experience that if you do this there won’t be any precipitation.

GpixL_ · May 22, 2022

topjago said:
I would recommend just putting one cup at a time and don’t dump it in just sprinkle it. And wait 5min and do it again you don’t want the water to be super cloudy when adding more salt let it mix a bit. It’s been my experience that if you do this there won’t be any precipitation.

Ok will do thanks

Justdrew · May 22, 2022

From Reefkeeping magazine in June 2004 Randy wrote:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/

To produce a 3.714 weight percent sodium chloride solution, dissolve 1 teaspoon (6.20 grams) of Morton's Iodized Salt in 161 mL (161 g) of freshwater (making a total volume of about 163 mL after dissolution of the salt). This solution can be scaled up as desired.

How would this solution compare to the solution below when used on a refractomer.

This 3.65 weight percent sodium chloride solution can be made by dissolving 3.65 grams of sodium chloride in 96.35 grams (mL) of purified freshwater. This recipe can be scaled to any appropriate size if suitable instruments are available (36.5 grams in 963.5 grams (mL) of water, 0.365 grams in 9.635 g (mL) of water, etc.).

They both reference a salinity of 35. Just curious how when one is 3.65 weight percent and the other is 3.714.

Thanks
Drew

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2022

GpixL_ said:
And I should use 2000g of purified water right?

Repeating exactly what I posted above:

This 3.65 weight percent sodium chloride solution can be made by dissolving 3.65 grams of sodium chloride in 96.35 grams (mL) of purified freshwater. This recipe can be scaled to any appropriate size if suitable instruments are available (36.5 grams in 963.5 grams (mL) of water, 0.365 grams in 9.635 g (mL) of water, etc.).

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2022

Justdrew said:
From Reefkeeping magazine in June 2004 Randy wrote:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/

To produce a 3.714 weight percent sodium chloride solution, dissolve 1 teaspoon (6.20 grams) of Morton's Iodized Salt in 161 mL (161 g) of freshwater (making a total volume of about 163 mL after dissolution of the salt). This solution can be scaled up as desired.

How would this solution compare to the solution below when used on a refractomer.

This 3.65 weight percent sodium chloride solution can be made by dissolving 3.65 grams of sodium chloride in 96.35 grams (mL) of purified freshwater. This recipe can be scaled to any appropriate size if suitable instruments are available (36.5 grams in 963.5 grams (mL) of water, 0.365 grams in 9.635 g (mL) of water, etc.).

They both reference a salinity of 35. Just curious how when one is 3.65 weight percent and the other is 3.714.

Thanks
Drew

The three recipes in the article are given for three different types of devices. They use sodium chloride to match the properties of seawater for the device type. One matches refractive index, one matches conductivity, and one matches density. You need to use the recipe that matches the properties for the device type you are using.

3.65 wt percent NaCl is for a refractometer.
3.714 wt percent NaCl is for a hydrometer
3.29 wt percent naCl is for a conductivity meter

GpixL_ · May 23, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The three recipes in the article are given for three different types of devices. They use sodium chloride to match the properties of seawater for the device type. One matches refractive index, one matches conductivity, and one matches density. You need to use the recipe that matches the properties for the device type you are using.

3.65 wt percent NaCl is for a refractometer.
3.714 wt percent NaCl is for a hydrometer
3.29 wt percent naCl is for a conductivity meter

I bought dr tim’s one and only bacteria and dr tim’s ammonia. Is the ammonia one drop per gallon? Also do they both need to be stored in the refrigerator until I fill up the tank with the water? Thanks

KStatefan · May 23, 2022

What do the instructions say?

GpixL_ · May 23, 2022

KStatefan said:
What do the instructions say?

So the one and only says to refrigerate but im not sure about the ammonia

GpixL_ · May 23, 2022

KStatefan said:
What do the instructions say?

Also someone else told me to only put a few drops but if I go by instructions its 50 drops.

Jon's Reef · May 23, 2022

For the ammonia I would recommend half the amount, then test it. Give it about 1 hour between adding and doing the test. Based on the test add a bit more then check again. You want ~2-4 ppm. No more than 5. More is not better.

Easier to put it in then to take it out.

Justdrew · May 23, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
The three recipes in the article are given for three different types of devices. They use sodium chloride to match the properties of seawater for the device type. One matches refractive index, one matches conductivity, and one matches density. You need to use the recipe that matches the properties for the device type you are using.

3.65 wt percent NaCl is for a refractometer.
3.714 wt percent NaCl is for a hydrometer
3.29 wt percent naCl is for a conductivity meter

Thank you. I had been using the 3.714 with a refractometer. Time to remix.

GpixL_ · May 23, 2022

Jon's Reef said:
For the ammonia I would recommend half the amount, then test it. Give it about 1 hour between adding and doing the test. Based on the test add a bit more then check again. You want ~2-4 ppm. No more than 5. More is not better.

Easier to put it in then to take it out.

So 25 drops for example?

homer1475 · May 23, 2022

Agree, half the amount of ammonia, then test.

You ideally want 2 to 4ppm ammonia. Anywhere between is fine, but you want at least 2ppm.

My experience with Dr. Tim's was that I did just a bit more then half what was said to dose.

GpixL_ · May 23, 2022

homer1475 said:
Agree, half the amount of ammonia, then test.

You ideally want 2 to 4ppm ammonia. Anywhere between is fine, but you want at least 2ppm.

My experience with Dr. Tim's was that I did just a bit more then half what was said to dose.

Ok! thanks

homer1475 · May 23, 2022

Honestly, and I don't mean to say this to be rude, or mean. But you really don't seem to know what your doing. Having a read through the stickies, or even watching the BRS 360(many of the BRS videos are packed full of juicy info, if you don't mind the occasional sales pitch) on youtube would help you immensely.

It would help us, by helping you. We don't mind the noob questions(we answer them all the time, and kind of why we are here. To help each other, and share information). but 99% of what your asking can be answered in the stickies, or in BRS videos.

I believe BRS even has a 20 minute guide series for starting a SW tank. Everything from the extreme basics, to advanced topics.

After you have watched some videos, and read the stickies, then come on back and ask away. We love to help, and I only write this to actually help you.

BTW, the stickies are at the top of "New To Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Post Here" section. Right now we are in the "Reef Chemistry" section.

New to Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Post Here

If you're new to the Saltwater Hobby and have questions please post them here. So you finally decided to take the plunge. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask!

www.reef2reef.com

homer1475 · May 23, 2022

https://www.youtube.com/c/BRStvInvestigates

Look here.

The 5-minute guide, and 52 weeks of reefing videos are packed full of info.

Gabe · May 23, 2022

Randy's patience is a thing of beauty...

@GpixL_ a lot of advice on this thread outside of the direct alk question. If budget is remotely a concern for you, every second you spend reading and watching videos of reputable people will only help you be more successful and save money.

thatmanMIKEson · May 23, 2022

GpixL_ said:
Bruh. Its not possible to use tubes for this. Im using buckets.
Tell me, how can I get water from a RODI unit that takes out 2 gallons of water an hour UPWARDS to the second story and into the tank? You cant. So buckets it is.