Coral pro salt is the worst.

Shaddow_wolf169 · Feb 20, 2017

So I took my water to be tested at my buddies coral shop. Didn't trust api kit CA alk mag I got 510, 13 and 1600 maxed out. So he checked my water with the red Sea kit and got 540 13.5, and 1680 my sg was 1.027 Lil high I keep it around 1.025 I always mix my salt before adding to water. Tank is 160 gallon total. If I use instant ocean regular salt to drop levels how big of a water change can I make without messing stuff up. My wall hammer coral is looking bad heard they hate high mag. I also flushed my salinity down to 1.025 over a 6 hour period. Tested Ca with my api kit now I got 520 tested 3 times. How can I drop my levels safely?

Tori · Feb 20, 2017

I don't think there is any issue with slowly dropping your levels. You can also mix your salt to a lower salinity and the levels won't start off that high.

TheEngineer · Feb 20, 2017

Did you mix the bucket before using it? At 35PPT (1.026 SG), you should be seeing:

Calc: 450
Alk: 12.2
Mag: 1340

Are you dosing anything in your tank? I've never used that brand of salt, but I've seen a lot of people on here that do.

kashman100 · Feb 20, 2017

Have you calibrated your refractometer lately

Shaddow_wolf169 · Feb 20, 2017

TheEngineer said:
Did you mix the bucket before using it? At 35PPT (1.026 SG), you should be seeing:

Calc: 450
Alk: 12.2
Mag: 1340

Are you dosing anything in your tank? I've never used that brand of salt, but I've seen a lot of people on here that do.

I always mix the salt from the bucket I pull the bag out and mix it all up for I add it to water.

justingraham · Feb 20, 2017

That's odd because that's really high did u test right away or did u let it sit?

trido · Feb 20, 2017

Shaddow_wolf169 said:
I always mix the salt from the bucket I pull the bag out and mix it all up for I add it to water.

There's your problem. Don't add the whole bag and use a refractometer to make sure your SG is the proper level before adding the new water to the tank

ahiggins · Feb 20, 2017

I had the SAME EXACT problem. Led to a massive bleaching event.
I didnt do a single water change for 2 months (will vary on how much sps/lps coral you have though). Thought behind that was my nitrates were low so I didnt need to worry about that but I let the corals uptake the alk/cal/mag at their own pace. Then I switched to regular red sea. Unless youre running a massive uptake system with full sps colonies, you dont need coral pro IMO.
I feel your pain.

ahiggins · Feb 20, 2017

justingraham said:
That's odd because that's really high did u test right away or did u let it sit?

Thats what coral pro makes up to. Not sure about the cal/mag but the alk is spot on for coral pro.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 20, 2017

Def use the metric instructions to mix. I belive its 670 grams to a 5g bucket. Mixes almost perfectly...
Thats why im not so big a fan of the IO....

Midrats · Feb 20, 2017

It takes me 800g to achieve 35ppt water with IO.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 20, 2017

squareriggersailor said:
It takes me 800g to achieve 35ppt water with IO.

Thx. I was at 780g after some trial and error and internett trial and error.

GMay · Feb 20, 2017

Bucket states to mix 38.2 grams to one liter of water. (38.2 x 3.8 = 145.16 grams per gallon of water) Use a kithchen scale and it will work every time without fail.

justingraham · Feb 20, 2017

ahiggins said:
Thats what coral pro makes up to. Not sure about the cal/mag but the alk is spot on for coral pro.

No he said his calcium is at 540 salt is 450 he said alk is 13.5 it mixes at 12.2 so his is way higher

Shaddow_wolf169 · Feb 20, 2017

justingraham said:
That's odd because that's really high did u test right away or did u let it sit?

That was after it ran for a week

Shaddow_wolf169 · Feb 20, 2017

trido said:
There's your problem. Don't add the whole bag and use a refractometer to make sure your SG is the proper level before adding the new water to the tank

I don't mix the bag to water I just mix the salt up and then use what I need.

Shaddow_wolf169 · Feb 20, 2017

Okay just so we're all on the same page I do not mix a full bag of salt to water. The only thing I do is mix the bag of salt before adding what I need to water. When I test for my salinity I use a refractometer that is calibrated. I try to keep my salt SG to 1.024- 1.025. When I measure my salt I use half a cup per gallon. Before I even transfer water always check for salinity make sure it's on point. What do you think is causing my high alkalinity calcium and magnesium. I also run a pH of 8.1 to 7.9 day to night.

Dancingmad · Feb 20, 2017

I used this brand and have no issues - freakin love it. If youre sure its the mix keep in mind Its possible to have a batch thats off specs(can happen with any mix). Let red sea know they might have a batch that isnt testing to specs. I do know that mix doesnt like to be overstirred.

ahiggins · Feb 20, 2017

justingraham said:
No he said his calcium is at 540 salt is 450 he said alk is 13.5 it mixes at 12.2 so his is way higher

I understand that but it makes up to 12.2 at 35ppt. after some evap it will be higher, especially if theres no uptake of it and its been a constant use.
The ratio cal/alk ratio is totally off so all bets are off when it comes to what it "should" be once inside the tank.

ReeferDave01 · Feb 20, 2017

Shaddow_wolf169 said:
So I took my water to be tested at my buddies coral shop. Didn't trust api kit CA alk mag I got 510, 13 and 1600 maxed out. So he checked my water with the red Sea kit and got 540 13.5, and 1680 my sg was 1.027 Lil high I keep it around 1.025 I always mix my salt before adding to water. Tank is 160 gallon total. If I use instant ocean regular salt to drop levels how big of a water change can I make without messing stuff up. My wall hammer coral is looking bad heard they hate high mag. I also flushed my salinity down to 1.025 over a 6 hour period. Tested Ca with my api kit now I got 520 tested 3 times. How can I drop my levels safely?

Following. Have exact same problem. Using apex and hanna and getting same readings. Not dosing