Reef Salt Alkalinity Low .
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re76
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How did you mix the salt water? Did you use heated water? Did you pour it in slowly or all at once?
I have found I get less precipitation of Ca and Alk if I mix it in cold water then bring the water up to temp after mixing. I also make sure to make sure the water is thoroughly aerated before I start the mixing process.
For clarification when I say cold I mean room temp. Basement temp for me because my mixing station is downstairs.
I have found I get less precipitation of Ca and Alk if I mix it in cold water then bring the water up to temp after mixing. I also make sure to make sure the water is thoroughly aerated before I start the mixing process.
For clarification when I say cold I mean room temp. Basement temp for me because my mixing station is downstairs.
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blesk
Active Member
This is me first bad badge off salt I use the same salt past 9 months never have problem is regular temp I always mixing the same way I cone try other kit see if is the same I olways try to keep 8.2 to 8.5
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blesk
Active Member
Standard sea salt what version is that currently using the Reef Salt.
.AcroKiller.
2500 Club Member
If you mean Aqua Forrest reef salt then that alkalinity number is fine. Their salt it's geared towards low nutrients system tanks. It is better to have a salt mix that mixes lower on Alk that higher. It is easier to increase Alk than lowering it.
hybridazn
Acro killer.....
Aquaforest sea salt
.AcroKiller.
2500 Club Member
I think the probiotic has the same alk. I wouldn't call it low alk I would say it has closer to NSW levels. If you want a salt mix with higher alk look into Red Sea coral pro.
The range for reef salt is a 7.7 to 8.2 dkH at 35 ppt and for pro biotic reef salt its 7.4-8.2 dkH. So, you are running a bit low. How you measure the salinity and how you calibrate the instrument?
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blesk
Active Member
I using Milwaukee MA887 seawater refractometer , Hanna checker and red sea all test kit salt is at 1.026 and alk is 6.81 on Hanna and 7.0 on red see I now hot I doing with test kits the salt is low on alk me two cents that's all
How you calibrate your refractometer? Whats your reading for Ca and Mg and which kit you use?
I think it is important to use ICP OES to validate our instruments. The salts are batch tested with ICP and this test is quite accurate. That said, I highly doubt any home test kit is as accurate as this machine. To my knowledge, not many other salt brands use this type of testing batch to batch. So, with Aquaforest salt, it is most critical to have multiple devices, standard and electronic, calibrated frequently, to get the exact numbers that are as accurate as ICP OES. At the end of the day, with 10% water changes, likely none of the parameters would swing too greatly to cause harm, and when beginning use of any salt it is important to ease in, not go 50%-100%, this is not smart with any salt. For giggles, last night I tested using Probiotic Reef Salt, I used the included cup, which mixes 10 liters for every cup. I used less than 2 full scoops(1.8scoops), as I made 5 gallons of water. This mixed perfectly to 1.025S.G. or 34ppt. That said, I use Lamotee(best home kit I have tried) for alk, I got 6.8dkh exact. To me, this is PERFECT parameters, and I was thoroughly impressed. I have used this salt for almost 2 years and have yielded very similar results box to box and bucket to bucket. I by no means am questioning anyone's abilities, integrity, or husbandry, I just know that there are many factors in play when it comes to testing.
Cheers,
Cheers,
