Salt choice vs dKH of the mix

[Scuba Mike]

Hello,

Newbie post here but hope to keep it simply and quick. In researching salts I like the Tropic Marin mix for a variety of reasons but the dKH is on the low (7-8) range. From the research I have done I see a range of 9 or 10 to be more common tank parameter.

Is it common for reefers to buy a salt they like but then boost the dKH to get the numbers they want? Or do you just buy your a different salt? I like the Red Sea mix but it has a dKH of 11+ which seems to be on the high end of the range.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I hope to answer your question with an example of what I do for my tank...
Reef Crystals mixes crazy high for Alk (I think around a 13) and my tank has been stable around 8-9. I typically swap out about a gallon from my Evo 13.5 weekly. After a WC I typically see around a point or so rise in Alk that brings it around a 8.8-9.1. I have my dosing pumps scheduled such that I disable them after a WC for 24 hours to bring them back into the 8.5ish range.

Also the 7-8 range is for Ultra Low Nutrient Systems to avoid burnt tips.

 

[Potatohead]

If you like the Tropic Marin but would like higher alkalinity, you can just switch to Tropic Marin Classic, instead of the Pro.

You can absolutely buffer the Pro to get higher alkalinity if you want, but it's an extra step.

 

[YankeeTankee]

From the research I have done I see a range of 9 or 10 to be more common tank parameter.

The best tanks I have ever seen all kept alk between 8-9 but 10 can certainly work and I'm sure there are gorgeous tanks at 10. I would choose a number and focus on maintaining stability meaning not allowing big swings. I would not worry about achieving some super high alk.

 

[PatW]

It is easy enough to adjust ALK. If the mix is low, you can add some soda ash solution to bring it up. If it is high, you can add muriatic acid to bring it down.

My salt is higher in ALK than my system. I add it as is and skip the dosing for that morning.

 

[Saltyreef]

I buy red sea blue bucket salt and suppliment with red sea coral pro salt. 3/4 blue bucket and 1/4 coral pro. It brings the alk up just a touch without issue. Also brings up the lower mag in the blue bucket to a more acceptable range.

 

[Scuba Mike]

Thanks to all the answers. I have Reef Crystals now and enough for a couple months, will likely use them and work to keep parameters stable. After that will likely switch to Tropic Marin and boost Alk if needed,

Mike

 

[ajtomase]

Thanks to all the answers. I have Reef Crystals now and enough for a couple months, will likely use them and work to keep parameters stable. After that will likely switch to Tropic Marin and boost Alk if needed,

Mike

Have you ended up switching? What are you using and did it boost your dKh?

 

[ajtomase]

I buy red sea blue bucket salt and suppliment with red sea coral pro salt. 3/4 blue bucket and 1/4 coral pro. It brings the alk up just a touch without issue. Also brings up the lower mag in the blue bucket to a more acceptable range.

Do you still do this? What are your parameters when you mix like that?

 

[Saltyreef]

Do you still do this? What are your parameters when you mix like that?

I stopped doing that a while back due to cost.
I actually stopped WC all together lol.
But before i stopped i would just suppliment with a quality liquid 3 part if needed.

 

[Duncan62]

Hello,

Newbie post here but hope to keep it simply and quick. In researching salts I like the Tropic Marin mix for a variety of reasons but the dKH is on the low (7-8) range. From the research I have done I see a range of 9 or 10 to be more common tank parameter.

Is it common for reefers to buy a salt they like but then boost the dKH to get the numbers they want? Or do you just buy your a different salt? I like the Red Sea mix but it has a dKH of 11+ which seems to be on the high end of the range.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Elos is perfect everytime from the start. I'm starting on my second bucketfor a new tank. The yield is also as advertised. most 160 gallon buckets won't make 160 gallons. The grower I buy from turned mean to it. He's got several thousand gallons at the farm and 2 250s at home.