Optimal water parameters for mixed reef

[Copingwithpods]

Valid point... i’ve read horror stories about changing salt and corals... i gues it all depends on the waterparameters my lfs uses

Happened to me when I was new, switched salts, thought salt was salt right? I was wrong stressed everything out. I was lucky I didn't have sensitive corals but even so some of mine where very close to death. Killed all my coralline algae too, went from a 7 dkh salt to an 11dkh salt. You live and learn I guess.

 

[NS Mike D]

I sadly do not know which would be my pickiest coral for now... i will keep this in mind though

your first post said you are using Red Seas mixed reef ranges as your target. They are based on having sps, generally though of the pickiest, in the mix. I used the Red Sea as my targets in the past and still recommend them to new users. I also include the caveat for new tanks to use lower NO3 and PO3 targets (BRS has a video on these targets) since they lack the life that will help to keep algae at bay.

test you salt mix before adding to the tank. They don't always mix to the published numbers and they tend to publish numbers for a lower SG level that most reefers prefer (circa 35ppt)
You can go crazy wondering why you tank ALk is off when it's really not off, your salt mix is different than what you thought it was.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Valid point... i’ve read horror stories about changing salt and corals... i gues it all depends on the waterparameters my lfs uses

I really do not think changing salts from one quality salt mix to another will cause issues as long as the alk doesn't suddenly change. There's really no likely mechanism to cause a problem.

Just be aware of the attributes such as alkalinity and you should be good.

 

[ScottB]

It scares me too lol

I'm looking to switch here in a bit as I run higher parameters now and I'm sick and tired of dosing my incoming water so the way Ill do it, every 5 gallon water change I'll substitute a scoop with the new salt, so starting from 5/5 I'll do a water change at 1/5 and do that for 2 water changes then 2/5 and do that for 2 water changes and so on. I'm hoping by taking it slow I won't stress anything out.

Brilliant, I like that idea. I can't really switch until I get both systems on CaRx. Already dosing 1/2 liter of 2 part a day as it is. I am a complete noob when it comes to CaRx so will be a while before I am comfortable with another change.

 

[Christian0505]

your first post said you are using Red Seas mixed reef ranges as your target. They are based on having sps, generally though of the pickiest, in the mix. I used the Red Sea as my targets in the past and still recommend them to new users. I also include the caveat for new tanks to use lower NO3 and PO3 targets (BRS has a video on these targets) since they lack the life that will help to keep algae at bay.

test you salt mix before adding to the tank. They don't always mix to the published numbers and they tend to publish numbers for a lower SG level that most reefers prefer (circa 35ppt)
You can go crazy wondering why you tank ALk is off when it's really not off, your salt mix is different than what you thought it was.

This feels strange that the mixed reef ranges of red sea are based on sps, as they also provide a range for sps haha.

I just love to many corals, i like zoas, i like, torches, hammers and acros, but even some leathers that i have. So mixed reef it is for me haha

 

[NS Mike D]

This feels strange that the mixed reef ranges of red sea are based on sps, as they also provide a range for sps haha.

I just love to many corals, i like zoas, i like, torches, hammers and acros, but even some leathers that i have. So mixed reef it is for me haha

Mixed reef can be more difficult as you are trying to maintain parameters for different corals. Ideally, the sps tanks will have lower numbers for example alk at 8 as opposed to 11.5 and NO3 and PO4 also materially lower. So the mixed reef numbers are a compromise.

fwiw and as much as I like the research red sea has done, I don't like the 11.5 for ALk. High alk can be hard to maintain for two reasons (my source is Randy, but my apologies if my paraphrasing is off). Firstly, with higher alk (and other numbers) the corals will consume it faster as the grow faster, so you have to increase your dosing accordingly. Secondly, with the higher ALK, precipitation is more likely to occur (the white dots that start showing up on surfaces like pumps and other equipment). dropping alk.

I always struggled tp maintain high alk, so I settled where my tank told me it likes to be, about 9. Frankly anything between 8-10 I am fine so long as it doesn't swing. Remember, when it comes to ALk, stability is more important that the actual number.

 

[Christian0505]

I have a doser, that should mean it’s easy to keep alk stable right? Right now i dose kh 8 times a day small amounts. Therefore the level should not matter right? As long as you supply what they use. I understand they use more if you keep it at a higher level

 

[ScottB]

I have a doser, that should mean it’s easy to keep alk stable right? Right now i dose kh 8 times a day small amounts. Therefore the level should not matter right? As long as you supply what they use. I understand they use more if you keep it at a higher level

That is fair, yes. Red Sea also has a calcium component to it as well that you could/should dose.

 

[Christian0505]

That is fair, yes. Red Sea also has a calcium component to it as well that you could/should dose.

Yes i do, i dose the calcium as well as the magnesium. Basically foundation A, B and C is dosed. C not at the moment, as somehow magnesium was skyhigh... possibly due to adding fresh sea water when i was moving the tank. I will let it slowly decline towards more acceptable levels, as it was at 1650.... previous owner said he always kept them at arround 1350.

 

[Christian0505]

I also spoke to my local fish store, they keep their corals at about kh 9. Their systems measures every 3 hours and corrects where needed. Yesterday i toke measures of my own tank. At arround 08:00 the kh was at 11. Light come on at 10:30. I saw kh declining to 10.5 at arround 12:20. At arround 19:00, kh was arround 10. Light go off at 22:30. Measured this morning arround 8 again, kh was at 11. This should be fine right? Or should i try to have kh at 10 in the morning sonit goes to arround 9 during the day?

 

[ScottB]

You will get as many different answers here as there are responses.

The goal is stability, the rest is preference based on personal experiences, and my personal preference is 8-9 because of parameters my coral vendors cluster around. So my swing is 8-9.

If you are using Red Sea Pro (mixes to 11 in think) then I would use the higher target range.
If you are using RS Blue Bucket, then I would use the lower range -- actually more like 8-9.

 

[Hoparna]

Ok so I have been using red sea pro salt from day one. I'm in the US, so is that mean I cant get corals to grow because US uses alk at 7 to 9? I dont really want to change my salt mix. Should I be worried that if I buy frags and the LFS is using 7 to 9 ALK I will basically kill the coral frag ?

 

[ScottB]

Ok so I have been using red sea pro salt from day one. I'm in the US, so is that mean I cant get corals to grow because US uses alk at 7 to 9? I dont really want to change my salt mix. Should I be worried that if I buy frags and the LFS is using 7 to 9 ALK I will basically kill the coral frag ?

There are no absolutes. I am sure there are many RS Pro salt users here in the US that are successfully acclimating their frags. An ALK shift is a stress event. Some will tolerate it just fine; others will not.

Perhaps before you buy from a vendor, give them a call. I find most of them are really good about advising on sensitivities -- if you speak to the right person.

I have seen a lot of folks here mix RS Blue with RS Pro. Sounds like work to me but something you could think about.