Switching salts...maybe

reefndude · Aug 28, 2015

Down to the last 25 gallons of my current salt mix. I've been thinking about trying a different salt mix to better match my tanks parameters. Currently using esv which I really like.

Tank parameters are...
Mg: over 1500
kh: 7.6
Ca: currently 470, would like to be around 440

I use muriatic acid to bring alk down to 7.6-7.8 range. Calcium mixes at around 500 ppm. Everything is healthy and has good color.
I am hesitant of changing salts because things are going well. Is it worth switching to maintain calcium at lower level?

Shep · Aug 28, 2015

If its not broken do not fix it, changing salts can have a huge impact due how much of a difference there can be between brands. I do not think 500ppm is that bad.

ReefMadScientist · Aug 28, 2015

No broky no fixy.

reefndude · Aug 28, 2015

Few suggested that I should balance my calcium levels with my alk. Could see color improvements in my sps? I can definitely see it going the wrong way too.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 29, 2015

reefndude said:
Ca: currently 470, would like to be around 440

I use muriatic acid to bring alk down to 7.6-7.8 range. Calcium mixes at around 500 ppm. Everything is healthy and has good color.
I am hesitant of changing salts because things are going well. Is it worth switching to maintain calcium at lower level?

IMO, there's no chance you'll see any difference in the tank if the only change is a drop in calcium from 470 ppm to 440 ppm, so I wouldn't bother doing any work to accomplish that unless there were other reasons as well.

Why is the magnesium so high?

reefndude · Aug 29, 2015

Mag is high because I dosed tech m well over a year ago to battle bryopsis. Was maintaining at 1600. It just has never come back down

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 29, 2015

OK, that makes sense.

Did it help the Bryopsis?

reefndude · Aug 29, 2015

It did help, never got rid of it completely

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 29, 2015

OK, thanks.

Happy Reefing

Bruce Burnett · Aug 31, 2015

This is where I can agree with everyone do not change what is working. My magnesium is high also for algae control from beginning but it is slowly coming down. I have not done water change in 10 months since I set the tank up. Have to make up about 2 gallons of salt mix a month because of what is removed by skimmer.

reefndude · Sep 1, 2015

Against everyone's recommendations I went ahead and switched salts. There were other reasons other than what I stated earlier that made me make my decision.
I went with red sea salt...regular not the coral pro. Mixed up 5 gallons and it was crystal clear in 10-15 mins. Numbers were pretty close to what is printed on the bucket.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 1, 2015

OK, let us know if your tank shows any changes.

reefndude · Sep 1, 2015

Will do. Hope I can share some changes for the better.

reefndude · Sep 8, 2015

After about a week and 20g worth of water changes. I see no visible changes as far as coral goes. Tanks calcium and alk matched red sea salt mix pretty much.
Only changes I see between former salt mix and red sea is I'm not adding muriatic acid to drop alk, and price tag is a little less. I'm still using a scale to measure salt, which makes mixing a breeze. So far I'm happy with this salt.

brandon429 · Sep 8, 2015

I never know when my tank gets a new brand of salt, its been through 10 changes or so.

My tank uses lfs premade water and they use io, rc, oceanic, esv, kent, coralife, on and on based on wholesale price or availability. Have quit asking what kind they are using as the variances were never a breakpoint for my reef. I notice minor variances like diatom growth off certain brands, reefcrystals to be exact.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 9, 2015

reefndude said:
After about a week and 20g worth of water changes. I see no visible changes as far as coral goes. Tanks calcium and alk matched red sea salt mix pretty much.
Only changes I see between former salt mix and red sea is I'm not adding muriatic acid to drop alk, and price tag is a little less. I'm still using a scale to measure salt, which makes mixing a breeze. So far I'm happy with this salt.

Thanks for the update.