My salt mix is inconsistent

[Fishingandreefing]

So about 2 years ago I switched over to coralife
I have tested a few times on its alkalinity and I always got about 8-9dkh.

however, today I have tested it twice, I got 11.8 and 11.9 at 1.025 salinity.

I have verified the Hanna checker with the calibration fluid and it was still within range.

I checked it with my tank water and I got 8.4, which it was expected.

I want to stay away from IO because it mixes dirty and reef crystals are know to be have high alk.

I would like to keep my alk at around 8, what salt do you all recommend at a price point of $40-50 for a bucket of 150g????

 

[lapin]

You could try fritz

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I couldn’t be the only one using this salt. Any others having the same issue or never checked it?

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I couldn’t be the only one using this salt. Any others having the same issue or never checked it?

I’ve heard that some salt mixes benefit from a good mix beforehand. Some people roll their salt buckets around and give their salt mix…a good mixing. This has helped others achieve more reliability from their salt MIX

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I’ve heard that some salt mixes benefit from a good mix beforehand. Some people roll their salt buckets around and give their salt mix…a good mixing. This has helped others achieve more reliability from their salt MIX

I did that but still.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So about 2 years ago I switched over to coralife
I have tested a few times on its alkalinity and I always got about 8-9dkh.

however, today I have tested it twice, I got 11.8 and 11.9 at 1.025 salinity.

I have verified the Hanna checker with the calibration fluid and it was still within range.

I checked it with my tank water and I got 8.4, which it was expected.

I want to stay away from IO because it mixes dirty and reef crystals are know to be have high alk.

I would like to keep my alk at around 8, what salt do you all recommend at a price point of $40-50 for a bucket of 150g????

I just have to chime in that normal IO does not "mix dirty". Like all high alk mixes, it tends to precipitate some calcium carbonate. Characterizing that as "mixing dirty" seems rather misleading to me.

But if you want 8 dKH, its not the mix for you unless you drop the alk in it.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I just have to chime in that normal IO does not "mix dirty". Like all high alk mixes, it tends to precipitate some calcium carbonate. Characterizing that as "mixing dirty" seems rather misleading to me.

But if you want 8 dKH, its not the mix for you unless you drop the alk in it.

It mixed dirty for me but is there a way to drop the alk level in a freshly mixed bucket of saltwater?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It mixed dirty for me but is there a way to drop the alk level in a freshly mixed bucket of saltwater?

Sure, and when the alk is dropped, the buckets I have seen contain no precipitate.

One can drop alk with muriatic acid or the solid material, sodium bisulfate (which is used by Seachem Acid Buffer).

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Spieg]

I just have to chime in that normal IO does not "mix dirty".

You've never seen the brown binding agent they use in their mix to help reduce precipitation?

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Sure, and when the alk is dropped, the buckets I have seen contain no precipitate.

One can drop alk with muriatic acid or the solid material, sodium bisulfate (which is used by Seachem Acid Buffer).

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

But with this 32g I mixed, it was all clear even though it was high. I think I might try the sodium bisulfate since it sounds safer. Thanks for the

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Precipitation is impacted both by the mix, the temp when mixing, the rate of mixing, and the CO2 level in the air when it is mixed.

Red Sea has a video showing precipitation of calcium carbonate in Red Sea Coral Pro (their own mix( when mixed too long. When some folks tried to reproduce the effect, it took a lot more effort than Red Sea suggested, presumably because the local conditions were different.

 

[LeftyReefer]

I would like to keep my alk at around 8, what salt do you all recommend at a price point of $40-50 for a bucket of 150g????

Live Aquaria salt, from Petco both the 55# box or the 48# bucket are $50 with free shipping. ALK mixes up 8-9.
mixes fast and clear.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Precipitation is impacted both by the mix, the temp when mixing, the rate of mixing, and the CO2 level in the air when it is mixed.

Red Sea has a video showing precipitation of calcium carbonate in Red Sea Coral Pro (their own mix( when mixed too long. When some folks tried to reproduce the effect, it took a lot more effort than Red Sea suggested, presumably because the local conditions were different.

It was mixed few days ago. I will try to mix a few gallon and test it right after and see what the alkalinity level will be.

now it’s a 32g brute full of freshly mixed water at almost 12dkh. My tank was already tested higher than I wanted now what’s my best option? Drain the entire bucket?

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Live Aquaria salt, from Petco both the 55# box or the 48# bucket are $50 with free shipping. ALK mixes up 8-9.
mixes fast and clear.

I might look into really switching out salt

 

[lilgrounchuck]

I started out with Coralife and never had any issues with it, unless I didn't make sure to mix it up really well before using it. I switched to Reef Crystals a while ago due to it being crazy cheap on Amazon frequently and also have no issues with it. However, same thing with mixing. I learned that the hard way. Just kept dropping cups of salt in but salinity wouldn't really raise much - especially with how much I was adding. It didn't dawn on me until after a few batches that things may settle out in different layers in the bucket over time.

 

[Uncle99]

Fritz blue mixes to 9.0dkh, CA 440, Mg 1380.
I’ve done 22 boxes, mixes fast, mixes clear, very consistent.
But I still turn the box over and over a few times as a remix.
Great price point and made in the US if your into that kind of buying.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I started out with Coralife and never had any issues with it, unless I didn't make sure to mix it up really well before using it. I switched to Reef Crystals a while ago due to it being crazy cheap on Amazon frequently and also have no issues with it. However, same thing with mixing. I learned that the hard way. Just kept dropping cups of salt in but salinity wouldn't really raise much - especially with how much I was adding. It didn't dawn on me until after a few batches that things may settle out in different layers in the bucket over time.

Well there’s absolutely no visible layer on the bottom of my 32g brute. Also the freshly mixed water is pretty clear as well. I don’t see much “nasty” stuff. The last time I checked it was at least 6 months ago. Who knows what the level was in between but it was around 8-9 as I have tested a few times.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Fritz blue mixes to 9.0dkh, CA 440, Mg 1380.
I’ve done 22 boxes, mixes fast, mixes clear, very consistent.
But I still turn the box over and over a few times as a remix.
Great price point and made in the US if your into that kind of buying.

Yeah I turned my bucket over and roll it on the floor for a bit before open it but I don’t know

 

[lilgrounchuck]

Well there’s absolutely no visible layer on the bottom of my 32g brute. Also the freshly mixed water is pretty clear as well. I don’t see much “nasty” stuff. The last time I checked it was at least 6 months ago. Who knows what the level was in between but it was around 8-9 as I have tested a few times. What I mean by mix it up more, is really mix the dry product up really good before adding it to water to ensure a more even distribution of the contents.

It probably does, but I wasn't getting at "mixing" in the water. I meant make sure you mix the dry product thoroughly before adding it to water. That stuff can settle and have you mixing up weird ratios due to uneven distribution of contents in the bucket. I know mine does after sitting a while anyway.

 

[OutLawX77]

Ya
Same issues but in cl. (560) And alk shy of 8 mag like 1500+
Same brand I have 2 buckets of this salt.. stuck with $80 of this reef crystals 2 buckets
Any one wanting it that lives in S. Fl on the east cost. $20 for both
PM me.....Blwhahahaha