Low alkalinity on Tropic Marin Pro-Reef

[Philly Reefer]

So.. I am thinking 3 possibilities at this time.

1. Bad refractometer
2. Bad refractometer solutions
3. Bad batch of salts

I am hoping it's either no 1 or 2...

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Same here, I get around 6.9- 7.2 when I mix up 4 gallons of new salt water.

I should measure what I'm getting for alkalinity, you got me curious. I only have fish at this time so I could care less what mine is at the moment. I'll measure tomorrow to give you another confirmation point. I keep my salinity at 35ppt as well.

 

[Hydrored]

I use about 10 cups for 20 gallons at 1.026 (not leveled)

 

[anth]

Check the instructions for the calibration solution. Some are different and calibrate at different salinity

 

[RobB'z Reef]

I use about 10 cups for 20 gallons at 1.026 (not leveled)

Who has time for leveling? Lol

 

[mike550]

So.. I am thinking 3 possibilities at this time.

1. Bad refractometer
2. Bad refractometer solutions
3. Bad batch of salts

I am hoping it's either no 1 or 2...

I don’t think it’s the salt. Just my opinion

 

[Philly Reefer]

I just mixed 20G yesterday, and it took me around 10 cups to get a salinity of 1.026 salinity (Hanna). I don't "flatten" the cups either. But I also consistently get an Alk reading of 6.8 (Hanna Checker) when my salinity is at 1.026.

It takes me around 27-29 cups to do 55 gallons. I see variation but I expect that batch to batch based on water concentrate in the salt mix. This puts you right in the ratio I'm finding in practice.

I use about 10 cups for 20 gallons at 1.026 (not leveled)

I don’t think it’s the salt. Just my opinion

With these examples, I am thinking its either my refractometer or the solutions.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Check the instructions for the calibration solution. Some are different and calibrate at different salinity

I am having my friend coming over with his solution and refractometer tomorrow

 

[anth]

Yup just did it just now, 1.026.

Not sure how much salt in grams but I use 8.5 cups for 20g brute bucket

Sorry missed the gallon part

 

[anth]

I am having my friend coming over with his solution and refractometer tomorrow

Thats the best thing to do
This salt is pharmaceutical grade and very low probability of a bad batch where as refractometers are subject to user error in calibration or reading.
Let us know what the issue is.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thats the best thing to do
This salt is pharmaceutical grade and very low probability of a bad batch where as refractometers are subject to user error in calibration or reading.
Let us know what the issue is.

I don't disagree with the idea that user error is much more common than bad batches, but the purity grade of the ingredients does not make it less likely.

 

[anth]

I don't disagree with the idea that user error is much more common than bad batches, but the purity grade of the ingredients does not make it less likely.

Suppose you can get a bad something of anything really, fair point

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Suppose you can get a bad something of anything really, fair point

To have low alk in a salt mix would just mean there is slightly less of that ingredient, not that any of the ingredients themselves are bad.

 

[anth]

To have low alk in a salt mix would just mean there is slightly less of that ingredient, not that any of the ingredients themselves are bad.

Didnt mean bad like that, i just meant bad as in not right but i see what your saying

 

[madweazl]

Have you check calcium and magnesium levels? If those are lower than typical as well, you salinity is likely low (fresh mixed water).

 

[Philly Reefer]

Have you check calcium and magnesium levels? If those are lower than typical as well, you salinity is likely low (fresh mixed water).

I did not

 

[RMS18]

I get 7.0-7.3 using milwaukee digital refractometer. On my 5th bucket since making the switch. BRS did a video on settling in salts taking a sample from too of bucket compared to bottom. TM Pro did have some settling so I mix it before pouring into my bucket.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Thank you everyone. I can declare myself as a dummy... (Not the exact word I say to myself, but cant type it here. )
My friend came over and show me how to calibrate my refractometer and confirmed that the calibration solution is ok.
And yes I was mixing the salt at lower salinity. 1.022, hence why the low alk.

 

[anth]

Glad you sorted it!
Everyone does something silly now and then lol

 

[Kingston]

@aior0s, have you rechecked you alkalinity since recalibrating your refractometer? I use the Hanna salinity and temp checker and my salinity stays at 1.026. I started testing Alk yesterday for the first time and it came back at 6.1 Dkh too using the Hanna Alk checker.