Help!! Need Advice on New Mixed Saltwater

[Plandauesq]

Hi Guys, just had something out of the ordinary happen and I am not sure what to do. I opened a box of Aquaforest Probiotic Reef Salt and it was all one huge solid rock of salt. I used a drill to break it up. After a day of it mixing with fresh RO water, I ran some tests on it. The Alk was extremely low, like 5.0. I added a little Alk mix (Randy's recipe #1) to it last night, it only brought Alk up to about 6.0 and now I am getting pH readings from it of 9.04. What does one do here? I have 200 gallons of the stuff mixed up.

 

[Timfish]

I stopped using Instant Ocean when their salt started showing up like that, really a hassle to deal with (Fritz is still made in the USA and I'm guessing has better quality control). Persaonlly I's adjust the parameters to what I want and then use it.

 

[Plandauesq]

Bump

 

[vetteguy53081]

I used aquaforest in the past. The alk as with many salts likely settled to bottom of bucket. The salt likely got moisture why it turned into a block.
What test kit are you using for alk test ?

 

[Plandauesq]

I used aquaforest in the past. The alk as with many salts likely settled to bottom of bucket. The salt likely got moisture why it turned into a block.
What test kit are you using for alk test ?

I tested with both Hanna & Salifert.

 

[Plandauesq]

I tested with both Hanna & Salifert.

But my main concern in using the mixed water was the 9.0 ph.

 

[vetteguy53081]

If you tested right away after mixing, you may have false readings. Allow 8-12 hours before testing allowing salt to further blend and dissolve. Many elements are suspended right after adding seawater to tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I expect the alk was low due to precipitation of calcium carbonate. It is likely OK to use if you just bump calcium and alk to your target levels.

 

[Plandauesq]

I expect the alk was low due to precipitation of calcium carbonate. It is likely OK to use if you just bump calcium and alk to your target levels.

But what about 9.0 pH? That wouldn't scare you? I notice that when I bump up Alk, pH also goes up. How do I solve this puzzle?

 

[MNFish]

The 9.0 PH does not scare me unless you are doing more than a 50% water change or have very high PH already.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

But what about 9.0 pH? That wouldn't scare you? I notice that when I bump up Alk, pH also goes up. How do I solve this puzzle?

pH 9.0 is not accurate in aerated salt water at any alkalinity less than about 50 dKH.

Either it is not at all aerated, or the pH is off.

So no, it does not scare me.