Brew12
Electrical Gru
I have decided I would like to keep my alk between 8 and 9. Why is it that I can't seem to find any salts under 11? Why do salt mixes hit such a high alk number if maintaining constant alk is so important?
Salt and Alk
- Thread starter Brew12
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tcarter1936
Well-Known Member
Aqua forest standard reef salt is about 7.6 dkh I do 18 gallon wc and have to add about 25 ml of all to each batch to hit 8.9 dkh
OP
OP
Brew12
Electrical Gru
Thanks, that is good to know. I would rather be on the low side than the high side.
tcarter1936
Well-Known Member
I asked myself the same thing and this is why I'm considering daily small auto water changes then I need not worry any how
tcarter1936
Well-Known Member
I used to use instant ocean and was stressing my corals with each wc not even realizing it. I tested and was shocked
OP
OP
Brew12
Electrical Gru
I started out using Reef Crystals because I didn't know better. I am using regular IO now but would like a salt with an alk much closer to my target. It looks like the Aquaforest is exactly what I need. Really appreciate you guys pointing that out. Seems crazy that so many salts target 11dkh or higher.
jsker
Reefing is all about the adventure
It will take about there weeks but you will see the difference. Aquaforest is like any other program, you can run all there products or keep it simple
I run the reef salt and components 1+2+3+.
I run the reef salt and components 1+2+3+.
OP
OP
Brew12
Electrical Gru
For now I think I will try their salt and continuing to use Kalk in my ATO. Eventually I may try more of their program as my coral grow.It will take about there weeks but you will see the difference. Aquaforest is like any other program, you can run all there products or keep it simple
jsker
Reefing is all about the adventure
Reach out if you have questions. PM me with your email and I will send over a spreadsheet the breaks down the mixing amounts per gallon.
Randy Holmes-Farley
Reef Chemist
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My Tank Thread
Depending on how you use it, high (or low) alk in water change water above the tank does not change tanks parameters noticeably (slow steady water changes, for example).
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chipmunkofdoom2
Always Making Something
Agreed. I think that part of the issue is that many aquarists don't want to dose or test their tanks. If a manufacturer makes a salt mix with carbonate alkalinity close to 11 dKh, then regular water changes will likely be enough to maintain a tank's alkalinity level. Obviously, high demand SPS-dominated tanks will need more carbonate and calcium, but at that level of reefing most reef keepers will be testing and adjusting chemistry as necessary. But, for a vast majority of reefers, it's entirely possible that higher carbonate alkalinity in the salt mix will lead to more success, and the reefer will keep using the salt that produces favorable results.
Aquaforest is one of the salts that has carbonate alkalinity closer to that of natural seawater. Red Sea blue bucket has lower levels as well. At 35ppt, I've tested between 7.8 and 8.0 dKh. Tropic Marin Pro Reef was also close to the values of natural seawater. Carbonate alkalinity averaged out to be around 7.7 dKh for every new batch that I tested.
OP
OP
Brew12
Electrical Gru
It isn't a problem for me yet since my Alk is around 10.5dkh. I'm more worried about it as I let me Alk drift lower. I do a 20% water change every 3 weeks.
Running my alk now @ 8.5. Using IO and balling salts.
Was running higher alk (10) several months ago with ESV two part and IO.
I let the alk drif down while I changed dosing compounds and dialed in the new dose. maintained my normal WC schedule.
No issues.
Was running higher alk (10) several months ago with ESV two part and IO.
I let the alk drif down while I changed dosing compounds and dialed in the new dose. maintained my normal WC schedule.
No issues.
chefjpaul
2500 Club Member
I found AF to be best with lower ALK, as I run mine @7.6 ish.
Red sea blue was great as well.
My new tank is running 100% AF and liking it so far. I will know for sure in about 9mo. If its worth it though.
Red sea blue was great as well.
My new tank is running 100% AF and liking it so far. I will know for sure in about 9mo. If its worth it though.
SashimiTurtle
Turtle
I have Red Sea black bucket, and while its a great salt... The alk is just too high. Bought it on a noob mistake. "Coral Pro" must be better for corals, right? I'm switching to blue bucket now that I know more.
chefjpaul
2500 Club Member
Yeah, that pro salt is similar to AF pro biotic, needed for uln systems.
