Matching water change water with tank params

[Beats001]

Hi @Randy Holmes-Farley,
I have a question if you don't mind...
When I mix a new batch of salt the params are never the same, but here is an example of my latest batch.
At 32 ppt Ca is 425, Mg 1425, alk 7.2. And this matches my tank params.
Notice the 32 ppt.
So i don't want to up the params, but I do want the salinity to be 35 ppt.

Someone suggested I could use NaCl to achieve this.
I wanted to run this past yourself. What do you think?
What can I use to add the NaCl?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Reeferdood]

I am not Randy but no two mixes of new water are exactly the same out of a bucket of salt mix. Matching salinity is much more important than your parameters to be exact when you are making new water. I would not worry about the parameters and concentrate on making the mixes based on the salinity. Everything else will be ok in the scheme of things.

 

[Waters]

As stated, always mix to match salinity.....if the other numbers are too high just switch to a different salt.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Also, you are only doing 10-15% usually. So, match the salinity and should be good to go. I do not even worry on the 100% water changes I do. Just match salinity and temp.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Adding NaCl will eventually shortchange you on things you are not testing (potassium, for example), so it is not a perfect solution.

I did water changes very slowly and steadily (automatically, ~1% daily), so I never felt the need to match anything, not temp, salinity, or any individual parameter, although I recognize that doing so will slowly pull the tank in the direction of the water used (which is what I wanted).

 

[Beats001]

I do agree with what a lot of people are saying e.g. just mix to 35 ppt and switch salts if the particular brand has too high params.
Basically I have done that for the last 2 years.
I am now following a 3 component balling and have pretty much balanced to 3 equal components.

So I don't really want to throw that away with then adding params that are not consistent.
I also really like the Aqua Forest probiotic reef salt for its benefits beyond the norm from a salt mix.

So given my explanation @Randy Holmes-Farley, do you think I could mix to about 33ppt. Then test my params and adjust slightly where needed, and add NaCl to make up to the 35ppt?

Given I am also dosing constantly too?

 

[ReefGeezer]

I keep my alk at the level the salt I use mixes @ 35ppt, about 8.5 dKh. Those are the only two parameters I worry about matching... roughly. I do small frequent water changes, and do them fairly slowly so temp isn't really an issue.

 

[Beats001]

I keep my alk at the level the salt I use mixes @ 35ppt, about 8.5 dKh. Those are the only two parameters I worry about matching... roughly. I do small frequent water changes, and do them fairly slowly so temp isn't really an issue.

Yeah, thats is what I have done for a long time.
What does you Mg sit at?

 

[ReefGeezer]

Yeah, thats is what I have done for a long time.
What does you Mg sit at?

I keep it about 1250-1350. I dose Alk, Ca, and, when needed, a little Mg to maintain levels between water changes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I do agree with what a lot of people are saying e.g. just mix to 35 ppt and switch salts if the particular brand has too high params.
Basically I have done that for the last 2 years.
I am now following a 3 component balling and have pretty much balanced to 3 equal components.

So I don't really want to throw that away with then adding params that are not consistent.
I also really like the Aqua Forest probiotic reef salt for its benefits beyond the norm from a salt mix.

So given my explanation @Randy Holmes-Farley, do you think I could mix to about 33ppt. Then test my params and adjust slightly where needed, and add NaCl to make up to the 35ppt?

Given I am also dosing constantly too?

I keep my alk at the level the salt I use mixes @ 35ppt, about 8.5 dKh. Those are the only two parameters I worry about matching... roughly. I do small frequent water changes, and do them fairly slowly so temp isn't really an issue.

I do agree with what a lot of people are saying e.g. just mix to 35 ppt and switch salts if the particular brand has too high params.
Basically I have done that for the last 2 years.
I am now following a 3 component balling and have pretty much balanced to 3 equal components.

So I don't really want to throw that away with then adding params that are not consistent.
I also really like the Aqua Forest probiotic reef salt for its benefits beyond the norm from a salt mix.

So given my explanation @Randy Holmes-Farley, do you think I could mix to about 33ppt. Then test my params and adjust slightly where needed, and add NaCl to make up to the 35ppt?

Given I am also dosing constantly too?

I would not dilute to lower values. It dilutes important other things. You can lower alk with an acid like muriatic or bisulfate. Calcium is rarely too high that it is a problem. Same for magnesium

 

[Beats001]

Thanks everyone