Question

reeferdon · Mar 3, 2018

So I mixed my salt water a few days ago for my weekly water change .
I tested the alkalinity to see what the perimeters were. It was 6.2 dkh and my tank was 9.0 dkh. So i added some alkalinity to try rise it to my tank. Well the freshly water

is cloudy so should I wait overnight to see if it clears up should I use it or should I make a new batch?

Crabs McJones · Mar 3, 2018

What salt mix are you using?

redfishbluefish · Mar 3, 2018

I've got to believe you have testing error in salinity level or measuring alk.

As Crab's asked, what salt are you using? To what salinity level? And what are you using to measure salinity?

What test kit for alk? and how old is it?

Let's start there.

I would not use that water until we figure out what's going on.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 4, 2018

It won’t clear up with mixing, but the solids will settle out.

Donsreef · Mar 4, 2018

1. Salt Brand: Aquaforest Reef
2. Mixing salinity of 33 ppt as instructed
3. Test Kit Nanna Checker DKH and Aquaforest DKH
4. Red Sea Seawater Refractometer Calibrated at 35ppt
5. 10 gallons of water mixed
So, my conclusion is I'm going to mix a new batch of water. my tank is mixed reef 36x20x20 and goal is to have a stable water change a possible.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 4, 2018

What alk product did you add? How much?

Donsreef · Mar 4, 2018

At the time I'm not adding or dosing anything. just trying to get it stable with a water change schedule and dose if needed. I plan to use all Aqua Forest product, but I have the BRS 2 part at the time.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 4, 2018

I meant what did you add to that salt mix?

Donsreef · Mar 4, 2018

I do not add anything

reeferdon · Mar 4, 2018

Here's a few shots of my tank

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 4, 2018

You said in the first post that you added alk to the salt mix.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 4, 2018

Are donsreef and reeferdon the same person? I was addressing my questions to the OP.

Donsreef · Mar 4, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
You said in the first post that you added alk to the salt mix.

when I tested the alk of the freshly mixed water, the alk was lower than the tank alk. I add alk to rise it to the level in my tank so that it's not that much of alk swing.

Donsreef · Mar 4, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Are donsreef and reeferdon the same person? I was addressing my questions to the OP.

Yes been trying to fix that. I uploaded the pic from my cell.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 4, 2018

[emoji23][emoji23] that’s what I’m asking about. How much of what did you add to boost the new salt mix. [emoji23][emoji23]

reeferdon · Mar 4, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
[emoji23][emoji23] that’s what I’m asking about. How much of what did you add to boost the new salt mix. [emoji23][emoji23]

Randy
I have started over with a new batch of water. I'll mix the salt in once it gets to 76 degrees. I'll let you know when it's mixed. Then I'll test the alk and go from there. I will test the tank alk and the new mix alk and go from there.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 4, 2018

Ok, but before you add anything, you might check here for what to add and how much. A low pH additive would be best by far. That may not be what you normally use.

reeferdon · Mar 4, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Ok, but before you add anything, you might check here for what to add and how much. A low pH additive would be best by far. That may not be what you normally use.

Low pH additive

? Not sure what u mean

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 4, 2018

reeferdon said:
Low pH additive [emoji53]? Not sure what u mean

Alkalinity additives can range from those with a tiny pH drop when added to those with a huge pH rise, and everything in between.

In a raw salt mix where precipitation is a big concern and aeration is not usually extensive, a low pH version is best to prevent precipitation. Simple baking soda is likely the optimal choice.

Mike Reef Addict · Mar 4, 2018

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Alkalinity additives can range from those with a tiny pH drop when added to those with a huge pH rise, and everything in between.

In a raw salt mix where precipitation is a big concern and aeration is not usually extensive, a low pH version is best to prevent precipitation. Simple baking soda is likely the optimal choice.

Arm an Hammer [emoji375] is all I've used since I've been in an aquarsist.