Help with the correct parameters

[Larsen]

I have and 150 gallon mixed reef. With dosing pumps dosing two part. I was told I need to be cal 420 and dkh 10 for a mixed reef. So I will finally get my parimenters there and I do a water change with red sea pro salt and it messes my parameters. The salt is 450 and 12.3 so my question is do I change salts or run my tank at those parameters will it hurt my lps and soft coral.

 

[jlemoine2]

This is a common problem. I would not change your salt for that reason, you would be hard pressed to find a salt that exactly matched your parameters. While doing a water change messes with your parameters, it should not change your calcium and alkalinity levels that much. A 10% water change would bump you up to ~10.2 dKH. I don't think your inhabitants will notice... they'll be more sensitive to pH and temp swings that can occur with a water change.

I only do water changes once a month or so. I notice initially that my calcium and alk are off after the change, but the parameters seem to settle out where they were by the time I need to do another change.

Other thoughts?

 

[CJO]

I wouldn't worry about it unless you are doing a huge (50%) water change. The alkalinity number isn't a big deal. You can run from 8 dkH to 12 dkH without a problem. However, you don't want large fluctuations in it. Same thing with calcium. Stability is the name of the game.

CJ

 

[beaslbob]

I have and 150 gallon mixed reef. With dosing pumps dosing two part. I was told I need to be cal 420 and dkh 10 for a mixed reef. So I will finally get my parimenters there and I do a water change with red sea pro salt and it messes my parameters. The salt is 450 and 12.3 so my question is do I change salts or run my tank at those parameters will it hurt my lps and soft coral.

I just don't do water changes. :bigsmile:

You could also use another salt mix and add diy 2 part to match your tank's parameters. I think IO is lower on alk and calcium for instance.

my .02