ESV mixing question

TDTA1181 · Sep 6, 2014

Just got 2 50 gal boxes of ESV salt and made a small 5 gal batch to test the parameters, using their directions. I got Alk 9.6, Cal 440 and Mg 1380. Just wondering which component is which? My tanks Alk is around 8.3'ish and actually im trying to get it in the 7.5 range over the next couple of months. They label their Cal and Alk dosing supplements component 1 and 2 but in the 4 part salt mix they're labeled components A and B. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rob&Gab · Sep 6, 2014

You can cut down about 10% each hing or add 6g r/0 and only make it for 5 then the mag when you dump it in will raise your saline level as well if I'm correct

TDTA1181 · Sep 6, 2014

Just trying to get that alk right the other numbers are good for me. Unfortunately I didn't get my first batch right last week and took out some sps in the process. Its the cleanest mixing salt I've ever had though, no left-over residue at all.

Rob&Gab · Sep 6, 2014

I no you need to get alk lower but you also gonna need to make sure saline is te same as uour tank. So you don't spike it or lower it. If you read the directions I think it says do. 10% Less of the products to mix an you should be fine . We gt 2 batches wrong the first time . From that day on every thing is well an easy o mix esv , u get used to it and it's all auto pilot from there.

jduck · Sep 6, 2014

Alk is in the B jug. But it also contains other Things and is not ment to be shorted.

GCReefer · Sep 6, 2014

You can't really adjust alk numbers with esv, the a and b aren't just alk and cal, there are other elements in the liquids, do some research on reef central, lots of info on there about this exact topic.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 8, 2014

In most reef tanks, water changes are not the best way to control alkalinity, nor does it usually interfere much with tank alk. If the tank alk is 8.3 dKH and the new salt mix has 9.6 dKH, a 10% water change only boosts the alk from 8.3 dKH to 8.43 dKH.

Presumably you are adding some alkalinity between water changes? if so, just add less??