Switching salts and need help with the alk transition

[livinlifeinBKK]

Hey guys, I'm planning to switch salts because of an issue I have which is mostly my fault. I've been using Aquaforest and since it mixes clear so quickly I assumed it was fully mixed prematurely which I noticed when testing my tank for calcium. My tank only came in at ~375 which is what the freshly mixed water also tested at. I them noticed at the bottom of my bucket was some undissolved particles which I think to be calcium and other trace elements perhaps because after mixing for much longer at a higher temp the freshly mixed water now reads ~400 (still slightly lower than recommended but acceptable I've heard). Anyway, now I need to raise my tank water to acceptable calcium levels which I was told would take forever with just water changes. I know I can dose calcium but I'm a college student and am really trying to save money this month because there are several things I need to buy for my tank all at once right now. The salt I'm considering is an French brand I believe called Aquarium Systems Reef Crystals. I watched a YouTube review and its calcium is 450 which would help me reach my target level in my tank much more quickly. Only downside is that it's alk is ~11 and my current tank alk is ~8.4. how should I go about switching to this salt given the alk difference? How slowly should I do water changes or is there something I can add to lower the alk after mixing to match my current alk?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

This is the most affordable salt here but if I have to I can go back to Red Sea Blue Bucket (just more expensive and I've heard salt is salt)

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hey guys, I'm planning to switch salts because of an issue I have which is mostly my fault. I've been using Aquaforest and since it mixes clear so quickly I assumed it was fully mixed prematurely which I noticed when testing my tank for calcium. My tank only came in at ~375 which is what the freshly mixed water also tested at. I them noticed at the bottom of my bucket was some undissolved particles which I think to be calcium and other trace elements perhaps because after mixing for much longer at a higher temp the freshly mixed water now reads ~400 (still slightly lower than recommended but acceptable I've heard). Anyway, now I need to raise my tank water to acceptable calcium levels which I was told would take forever with just water changes. I know I can dose calcium but I'm a college student and am really trying to save money this month because there are several things I need to buy for my tank all at once right now. The salt I'm considering is an French brand I believe called Aquarium Systems Reef Crystals. I watched a YouTube review and its calcium is 450 which would help me reach my target level in my tank much more quickly. Only downside is that it's alk is ~11 and my current tank alk is ~8.4. how should I go about switching to this salt given the alk difference? How slowly should I do water changes or is there something I can add to lower the alk after mixing to match my current alk?

There is nothing wrong with Ca at 380 if your Alk is around 8dKh. High Ca does not make coral grow any faster.

Just do water changes and it will slowly come up.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

There is nothing wrong with Ca at 380 if your Alk is around 8dKh. High Ca does not make coral grow any faster.

Just do water changes and it will slowly come up.

I've always heard 420 is the target number...380 is really ok?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I'm not trying to rush growth or anything, just trying to get the most affordable salt and meet recommend parameters. I don't mind letting nature take it's time

 

[Nanojoe]

+1 on the CA being okay at 380 and just small water changes.

 

[Tcook]

I've always heard 420 is the target number...380 is really ok?

Are you corals growing? Coraline algae growing? What is in this tank?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Ok guys, if calcium is ok at 380 I'll just stick with Aquaforest (I'm a fan of AF products anyway)...and as for the tank inhabitants it's not very heavily stocked bit does have some SPS and LPS and a clam (nano tank)...can't tell yet if growth has slowed down because I've only been using AF salt for the past month or so...before I used Red Sea...coralline algae does grow but it seems slower than it should be...again, if 380 is acceptable I'll just stick with my current salt and keep it simple

 

[Nanojoe]

Did marineland sell reef crystals off to another company?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Did marineland sell reef crystals off to another company?

I have no idea because they also sell products like One and Only but under the name Aquarium Systems...I'm in Bangkok so we get some smaller brands from all around the world so I'm really not sure if it was some kind of business thing or not

 

[Nanojoe]

I have no idea because they also sell products like One and Only but under the name Aquarium Systems...I'm in Bangkok so we get some smaller brands from all around the world so I'm really not sure if it was some kind of business thing or not

Oh, got it. Must just be the distributor over there.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I'm not trying to rush growth or anything, just trying to get the most affordable salt and meet recommend parameters. I don't mind letting nature take it's time

Ocean Alk is around 7dkh and Ca 400. Yours is a little low, but nothing to be concerned about.
If your salt mixes to 400 that is fine, and your level will come up over time with water changes.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Ocean Alk is around 7dkh and Ca 400. Yours is a little low, but nothing to be concerned about.
If your salt mixes to 400 that is fine, and your level will come up over time with water changes.

Awesome! I was told by someone else I needed around 420 and that it would take forever to raise my calcium with water changes which is part of the reason I was looking at other salts...I was planning to add a new coral next week actually but can corals be shocked by a variation that size in something like calcium the same way they can be shocked by a difference in Alk?

 

[The Farmer]

How many gallons is your tank?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

How many gallons is your tank?

Only 10-12

 

[The Farmer]

Your calcium will rise real quick with that small of a tank

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Your calcium will rise real quick with that small of a tank

In that case, how spread out should I make my water changes? Idk if a sudden rise in calcium and no doubt other trace elements could be detrimental to my corals

 

[lubeck]

I do 20-40% water changes on my 32 gal nano with no Il effects. Just make sure temp and salinity is the same and alk is within .5.