Reef crystals high alk, low magnesium

[joseph.timbs]

I tested my last two batches of reef crystals has tested below 1200 and my tank has a 12dkh test reading, just continue to trust IO reef crystals and let the corals adapt or pick a new salt?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I tested my last two batches of reef crystals has tested below 1200 and my tank has a 12dkh test reading, just continue to trust IO reef crystals and let the corals adapt or pick a new salt?

What are you using for to check salinity and what is it? When was the last time you calibrated it? Test kits you use for ALK and mag.

 

[joseph.timbs]

Refractometer 1.025, salifert that are new.. pretty confident in the results, I’ve seen in my research that others have had low mag in reef crystals

 

[joseph.timbs]

My bad aqua forest for my mag test

 

[Cichlid Dad]

My last two buckets tested 450 cal 12 ALK 1200 mag at 1.025 using all salifert. I just bump the mag up using two part. As far as refractometer, I've found it needs calibration every time I I do a water change.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I tested my last two batches of reef crystals has tested below 1200 and my tank has a 12dkh test reading, just continue to trust IO reef crystals and let the corals adapt or pick a new salt?

Are you mixing the dry salt before you add it to water? (Assuming you're not using an entire bag/bucket at once)

 

[joseph.timbs]

Are you mixing the dry salt before you add it to water? (Assuming you're not using an entire bag/bucket at once)

Ah not really, doubt that is the problem because it’s tested that way throughout two bags but I will try mixing it up next WC, thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, magnesium in NSW at a sg of 1.025 is only 1212 ppm.

I have no idea if your test is accurate (the RMM method says don’t bother testing magnesium because tests are often quite inaccurate) but raising the salinity will raise magnesium substantially.

 

[joseph.timbs]

FWIW, magnesium in NSW at a sg of 1.025 is only 1212 ppm.

I have no idea if your test is accurate (the RMM method says don’t bother testing magnesium because tests are often quite inaccurate) but raising the salinity will raise magnesium substantially.

So what you think, change salt or keep RC?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not a fan of RC for other reasons: metal chelators and vitamins in it. I prefer normal IO.

 

[joseph.timbs]

Ok, thanks

 

[Jamie814]

I’m not a fan of RC for other reasons: metal chelators and vitamins in it. I prefer normal IO.

I've got 4 200 gallon boxes of reef crystals from a chewy BF deal. alk is testing at 12 I run my tank 8-8.5 I don't like the alk spike during water changes. Any way to bring down the alk...?

 

[Troylee]

I've got 4 200 gallon boxes of reef crystals from a chewy BF deal. alk is testing at 12 I run my tank 8-8.5 I don't like the alk spike during water changes. Any way to bring down the alk...?

Using Muriatic Acid to Lower Alk

I use regular IO salt mix and consistently get around 10.5 Alk, 410 Cal and 1250 Mag. I like my Alk lower around 9 so I use muriatic acid to lower alk in freshly made salt. I notice when I do this my calc jumps to about 470 and mag 1500 plus. Is this normal? Any way to mitigate this? Any...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

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

 

[Jamie814]

Thanks all for the info/links, so no way to lower alk without depressing pH...?

 

[dieselkeeper]

I had the same parameters using RC salt. Low magnesium made my grande plays from green to brown. I changed salt to a higher magnesium and grande palys are green again. I adjusted magnesium on my new RC saltwater before using until it was gone. I like things simple, so I switched salt.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks all for the info/links, so no way to lower alk without depressing pH...?

Nope.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I've got 4 200 gallon boxes of reef crystals from a chewy BF deal. alk is testing at 12 I run my tank 8-8.5 I don't like the alk spike during water changes. Any way to bring down the alk...?

I'll buy it from ya, lol!

 

[Jamie814]

I'll buy it from ya, lol!

Sure! only 1,100 miles from you though. Shipping costs more than the salt.

 

[Miami Reef]

Thanks all for the info/links, so no way to lower alk without depressing pH...?

You can lower the alk in the water change bucket then aerate heavily for 12-24 hours to bring back up the pH.