Tropic Marin Ionic Balance, but what about water?

[Fish E]

Tropic Marin claims their balling method as advantageous over two part because their system doesn't or marginally raises salinity. This is due to the addition of the third part which adds the other ions to maintain the ratio to NACL. I get the elemental balance achieved but what about the balance to water? If the volume of water remains the same, the proportion of na and cl is still higher relative to H2O. So how does their method not raise salinity like two part? Ive watched every video and read as many explanations as I can but im still confused. Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Their method raises salinity. No way around that. It isn’t quite as much as a true two part, but not hugely different. Adjusting salinity is not typically challenging.

 

[Fish E]

Their method raises salinity. No way around that. It isn’t quite as much as a true two part, but not hugely different. Adjusting salinity is not typically challenging.

That's what I figured. I didn't think you could around it. Thanks for the verification!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That's what I figured. I didn't think you could around it. Thanks for the verification!

You’re welcome.

Happy Reefing

 

[Lou Ekus]

Tropic Marin claims their balling method as advantageous over two part because their system doesn't or marginally raises salinity. This is due to the addition of the third part which adds the other ions to maintain the ratio to NACL. I get the elemental balance achieved but what about the balance to water? If the volume of water remains the same, the proportion of na and cl is still higher relative to H2O. So how does their method not raise salinity like two part? Ive watched every video and read as many explanations as I can but im still confused. Thanks!

By the way, Tropic Marin does not claim that the Balling Method does not raise salinity as much as two part. I don't know where that claim came from, but it is not from us. The ionic balance thing is defintely a claim. But both two part and Balling will defintely raise salinity.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

By the way, Tropic Marin does not claim that the Balling Method does not raise salinity as much as two part. I don't know where that claim came from, but it is not from us. The ionic balance thing is defintely a claim. But both two part and Balling will defintely raise salinity.

Hans Werner made the claim here, and I agree it is likely true.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

He indicated it here:

Ionic balance, Balling, AquaForest, & mineral salt / sodium Balance.

Indeed the 70/30 proportion origins from me I think. It is because this is the true proportion of sodium chloride to other salts in our salts and our sodium chloride free sea salt gives complete sea salt when added to sodium chloride in this proportion. The cause is quite simple. Sodium chloride...

www.reef2reef.com

He said this:

With balanced two part additives the increase in salinity is similar or maybe even higher since for a completely balanced ionic composition sulfate has to be added and this can only be done with potassium and sodium sulfate in a two part additive. This adds additional sodium which in turn must be balanced again with more other salts. So in my eyes a three part additive is still the most efficient way to have a completely balanced calcium and bicatbonate/carbonate addition.

 

[Lou Ekus]

Sorry, I didn't see your next post.

 

[Lou Ekus]

He indicated it here:

Ionic balance, Balling, AquaForest, & mineral salt / sodium Balance.

Indeed the 70/30 proportion origins from me I think. It is because this is the true proportion of sodium chloride to other salts in our salts and our sodium chloride free sea salt gives complete sea salt when added to sodium chloride in this proportion. The cause is quite simple. Sodium chloride...

www.reef2reef.com

He said this:

With balanced two part additives the increase in salinity is similar or maybe even higher since for a completely balanced ionic composition sulfate has to be added and this can only be done with potassium and sodium sulfate in a two part additive. This adds additional sodium which in turn must be balanced again with more other salts. So in my eyes a three part additive is still the most efficient way to have a completely balanced calcium and bicatbonate/carbonate addition.

@Randy Holmes-Farley Thanks for re-posting that. While I still stand by my statements about the difference in the ability, of a good two part, to create total ionic balance is an important point. I don't recall him saying this abouit the salinity. I would say his assessment is very valid. But I would think that the difference in the rise in salinity between a good two part and the Balling Method, would be so small that it would be totally functionally insignificant.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley Thanks for re-posting that. While I still stand by my statements about the difference in the ability, of a good two part, to create total ionic balance is an important point. I don't recall him saying this abouit the salinity. I would say his assessment is very valid. But I would think that the difference in the rise in salinity between a good two part and the Balling Method, would be so small that it would be totally functionally insignificant.

That small salinity difference might very well be true. There may also be many ways to accomplish the same things in both methods, some more efficient, salinity-wise, than others.