Icp test
- Thread starter T33BLACK
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DDenny
Valuable Member
First of all what salt are you using? And scone there is a huge thread that I haven’t even finished about the reliability of these tests. Not saying their bad just there are questions about it. Have you tested the water with like a Salifert test and if so is it reading low as well?
OP
OP
T33BLACK
Active Member
I'm using reef crystals and always have I've thought about switching but corals are usually doing good so didn't want to switch. I have tried other tests and magnesium is always low for me for some reason
DDenny
Valuable Member
That is weird considering IORC has elevated CA and Mg. If ICP and your tests indicate low Mg ( which could be wrong in bth directions really) I think I would probably be dosing Mg to bring it up. Only other thing is it might have separated in the bucket or bag however you buy salt. I usually roll mine to mix it up before I pull the amount of salt I need to mix water. I don't know maybe someone will chime in that has had that same issue.
Other possibility is a bad batch of salt.
Other possibility is a bad batch of salt.
DDenny
Valuable Member
What do you mean? How do you make fresh saltwater then? You should always mix the RODI and Salt mix before putting it in your tank. What I do is get the amount of RODI I need into my mixing bucket. I let it aerate for about 30 min or so then slowing add the amount of salt to the RODI. I know that it takes just a little over 1/2c of salt to get mine to 35ppt. Personally I would rather be a little higher and adjust down with RODI then to have to add additional salt (takes longer before use). After about 6 hours you can check the salinity of the water but I usually wait closer to the 12 hour mark but that is me.
OP
OP
T33BLACK
Active Member
Lol yes I know. I can see how that came off as maybe I just throw the salt in the tank ! I have rodi storage as well as a fresh salt water container qith pump and heater I let it mix for about a day before doing water changes. I meant maybe I should start trying to mix the bucket of salt before I add it to the rodi.
DDenny
Valuable Member
ok I was scared there for a minute didn't think you did that but hey I have heard stranger things. Yeah just roll it make sure the lid is on tight. I only buy the 14 pound bags for mine but I'm only mixing 1 gallon at a time. I still roll the bag and mix it up well before using the salt. I read that somewhere and have always done it not sure if there is any validity to it but it seem plausible the salt could/does settle out.
