Bored? How about Mentoring a Newbie?

[road_runner]

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[Scott Christenson]

Testing what exactly?
Some of these kits are not build to test fresh water..

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm taking 1 gallon of DI water, adding my salt to get the salinity to 35, then testing the alk and cal.

 

[road_runner]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm taking 1 gallon of DI water, adding my salt to get the salinity to 35, then testing the alk and cal.

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[Scott Christenson]

Ok so you saying, your salt mix is giving you high alk?
How long did you wait in the salt to mix in the water before you tested salinity and alk?

1 hour

 

[road_runner]

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[Scott Christenson]

Might not be enough. Minum I have seen is 3 hours and this is on topic marine which is high quality salt.
I would wait at least 4 hours, make sure all salt is dissolved then test.

Btw what's the temp of the salt water mix? Remember the 35ppt should be in the specified temp condition on the salt package...

35.1 salinity at 68.8 temp

 

[road_runner]

35.1 salinity at 68.8 temp

What temp is specified in your salt package?
You need that temp when testing salinity. At least at first until you get used to your salt mixing properties.

 

[Scott Christenson]

What temp is specified in your salt package?
You need that temp when testing salinity. At least at first until you get used to your salt mixing properties.

Doesn't say and I'm not finding anything online. I'll let it sit overnight and test in the morning.

So the plan at this point is:
20% water changes every week with RODI water
Dose 10ml of Reef Complete per day
And buy tons of new fish and corals, correct

 

[road_runner]

Doesn't say and I'm not finding anything online. I'll let it sit overnight and test in the morning.

So the plan at this point is:
20% water changes every week with RODI water
Dose 10ml of Reef Complete per day
And buy tons of new fish and corals, correct

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[Scott Christenson]

If you add one more fish I will hang myself ha ha.
Sounds good my freind. Give enough time for the salt to mix. The longer the better you have nothing to lose ad long ad there is a circulating pump in there.
Keep me posted.

Long term what do you see me dosing on a regular basis?

 

[road_runner]

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[Fiesty]

SPECTACULAR!!!
This is why you're my mentor

Yup! By the pics it looks like you found a great one!

 

[Scott Christenson]

Well I just confirmed that the alk on a fresh batch of salt in DI water is about 15 so I have a call into CoraLife.

 

[road_runner]

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[Scott Christenson]

Ok so we need to change your salt then if you looking to run lower alk..
I like tropic marine it mix at low alk. If you like, get a bucket and use it till we reach the right alk level. This will be the fastest rout.

I called CoraLife and it's supposed to be 9 so something is very wrong. They suggested mixing the salt in case it settled and I have 2 other buckets that I can try. I'll keep you posted. What should be my goal alk # long-term?

 

[road_runner]

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[Scott Christenson]

I would say for now let's bring it to 12 or 11. Then when we add coral we adjust based on what you add.
If they told u I should expect 9 then 15 is way too much...
Are you sure you are mixing 35ppt?
What's the ca on that batch? If you mixing higher them 35ppt it will mean both alk and ca should be elevated.
Otherwise you might be dealing with a bad batch. Either way if you confirm that your salinity is 35 but alk is coming this high I would not trust that salt brand again regardless of what the company say.
We just need to confrirm your salinity that is the judge...
You want salinity of 35ppt at room temperature...something like 75~78 degree.
Put a heater there if need be, then test at the right temp.

Also describe how are you doing the salinity test exactly with pics if possible,let me see if I can catch something..

35ppt at 76 which is the same temp as the tank. I let the salt sit all night with a small powerhead in it. Ca is coming in at 220, should be 400 so that's why I'm suspecting bad salt. The alk is actually off my Salifert scale so I'm guessing 15. I will send pics as soon as possible.

 

[Scott Christenson]

35ppt at 76 which is the same temp as the tank. I let the salt sit all night with a small powerhead in it. Ca is coming in at 220, should be 400 so that's why I'm suspecting bad salt. The alk is actually off my Salifert scale so I'm guessing 15. I will send pics as soon as possible.

But this would explain my long battle with high alk and one of the reasons I sought out a mentor.

 

[Scott Christenson]

But this would explain my long battle with high alk and one of the reasons I sought out a mentor.

I use an Apex probe, $80 Hannah digital meter which factors in temp, and a refractometer for salinity.

 

[Scott Christenson]

I use an Apex probe, $80 Hannah digital meter which factors in temp, and a refractometer for salinity.

The other possibility is a bad Salifert test kit but I really doubt that.