Tropic Marin bio actif super low alk!

josh4107 · Oct 15, 2013

I just purchased some bio actif salt because I've read it had a lower alkalinity (around 8 dkh) I've been using reef crystals and my tank alk is consistently around 11. I want to get it down in the 8-9 range. Anyway I made 2 gallons of new water with the bio actif salt and measured the alk with my Hanna meter and it said it was 5.5 dkh! Thinking it might be my Hanna meter I checked my tank and it was 10.8 dkh. Should i contact tropic Marin asking for another bucket or have other ppl experienced their alk in this salt this low? Granted I didn't mix up the salt so I'm going to do that and mix a new batch but 5.5 dkh is crazy low to me!!! Anyone else have experience with this salt?

Zero Nitrates · Oct 15, 2013

That is low!

josh4107 · Oct 15, 2013

That's what I was thinking. I mean I know the salt naturally runs low but 5.5? I wonder if I got a bad batch?

cultivatedcoral · Oct 15, 2013

Did you mix the salt in the bucket thoroughly before using it? Sometimes things settle while in the bucket so it is recommended to give the bucket a good roll and flip it a few times to mix the salt within itself.

ken77 · Oct 15, 2013

That is the problem if you just mix part of the box instead of the whole box. That is why I dont buy salt in quanities larger than than my mixing barrel will hold at one time.

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duke4130 · Oct 15, 2013

I tried bio-actif when it first came out. It was ok at the beginning and then I started having issues with the corals and the parameters being off. I went back to TM Pro Reef in boxes. Like they said about mixing the bucket before use because things will settle. That is why i get the boxes instead of the bucket. You only save about $20 getting in the bucket compared to getting boxes.

josh4107 · Oct 15, 2013

Thanks for the responses guys, I took the salt out of the bag which turned it over and also gave it a nice roll around the floor to turn it over some more. I'll try mixing some more tonight and test tomorrow evening I just hope it's closer to 8 the next try. If not I guess ill contact tropic Marin because that's an expensive bucket of salt! My tank is only 33 gallons so I only need about 4-5 gallons at a time so mixing the whole bucket at once is out of the question. Guess Ill just go with the boxes or look for a new salt if nothing changes tomorrow :/

josh4107 · Oct 15, 2013

just wondering if anyone else using this salt has had the alk read this low for them before i make an effort to contact tropic marin.

ken77 · Oct 15, 2013

Yeah I ysed tropic marin pro in box for several years. Now I use 50 gallon bag of brightwell

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Zero Nitrates · Oct 16, 2013

A buddy of mine uses that salt mix and his measures around 8 to 9. You might have a bad batch.

mrs.nanoreef · Oct 16, 2013

I have the tm pro. I don't have an alk test kit but I recently discovered my ph to be 7.7ish. My kits were off cuz they expired so I'm slowly getting new ones. 7.7 was with my new test kit. I've had the bucket for awhile and do give it rolls and unfortunately for how long I've had it (since earlier in the year) I don't think they'll replace mine.

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josh4107 · Oct 16, 2013

I can't find my ph test kit or I'd test it. When I get home ill test the new batch of water for alk and calcium an see where it is after mixing the salt in the bucket. If it's still this low guess I'll try to contact tropic Marin and hope they'll give me a refund or some new salt...

josh4107 · Oct 16, 2013

Ok so got home and tested the freshly mixed salt water I mixed over night. My salinity is 1.025 same as yesterday and after giving the salt a good roll and stir in the bucket before using again my alk with this batch was even lower than yesterday! 90 ppm or 5.06 dkh! Looks like I'm going to have to contact them and try and get a new bucket or something because that's terrible!

josh4107 · Oct 16, 2013

Would there be any ill effects if I mix the bio actif with reef crystals? Considering doing this if I'm stuck with this salt. I figured since the reef crystals alk is around 11.5dkh and the bio actif I have is 5.25 mixing them would get it to the level I'm shooting for. Anyone mix salt brands? Let me know what u guys think!

mcarroll · Oct 20, 2013

ken77 said:
That is the problem if you just mix part of the box instead of the whole box. That is why I dont buy salt in quanities larger than than my mixing barrel will hold at one time.

Hard for most people, but that's great advice! Most complaints about salt inconsistencies would go away if everyone did it that way.

-Matt

mcarroll · Oct 20, 2013

josh4107 said:
Would there be any ill effects if I mix the bio actif with reef crystals? Considering doing this if I'm stuck with this salt. I figured since the reef crystals alk is around 11.5dkh and the bio actif I have is 5.25 mixing them would get it to the level I'm shooting for. Anyone mix salt brands? Let me know what u guys think!

Shouldn't be a problem, but I'd premix only a small batch to try it out first. You'll be best off weighing the portions to get a good 50/50 mix.

FWIW if your pH isn't too low there should be no problem growing mad coral with great color at Reef Crystals' numbers. Low alk is not "better"...it 'a more of a workaround for certain scenarios. (Define "better" after all...)

At the price I would be tempted to return the new salt and (if more moderate numbers are the goal) exchange it for regular Instant Ocean.

-Matt