Tropic marin pro reef high dkh

[Zach Hart]

Hi I just bought a new bucket of tropic marin pro reef salt, mixed it up and tested the water to see what dkh it would be because it says it should be between 7-8dkh. However when I test it it reads 9.6-9.9 in the two tests that I performed with Hanna, and similarly with the Red Sea test kit. Anyone have any ideas why the dkh is so high? I had this problem with the old tropic Marin bucket that this one is replacing as that one gave me a dkh of 10.8. Any ideas would be helpful and what I could do to remedy. Thanks

 

[Saltyreef]

Are you mixing your salt bucket?

I use a different brand but when it arrives, i dump the bag out into the bucket so it mixes really good.

If it was me i would be after a new brand of salt with 3 inconsistant buckets.

 

[Zach Hart]

.

If it was me i would be after a new brand of salt with 3 inconsistant buckets.

that’s my next option. What would you recommend for Acro tank?

 

[arking_mark]

Are you mixing to a specific salinity or by the cup? If you're using salinity your salinity measurement may be off.

 

[Zach Hart]

Are you mixing to a specific salinity or by the cup? If you're using salinity your salinity measurement may be off.

Specific salinity. 35ppt. Measured with Hanna and refractometer

 

[Potatohead]

Two consecutive buckets, of different types of salt, alk is high on both? I have a hard time believing this isn't test or salinity error.

What are you using to calibrate the salinity devices? What does the freshly mixed saltwater test for calcium and mag?

 

[Zach Hart]

Two consecutive buckets, of different types of salt, alk is high on both? I have a hard time believing this isn't test or salinity error.

my thoughts exactly. However I recalibrated both salinity tools and had my trident test the alkalinity aswell. So pretty sure it’s right. The salt was tropic Marin pro both times just a different batch

 

[Zach Hart]

? What does the freshly mixed saltwater test for calcium and mag?

will check in a minute

 

[wil-yuhm]

If only small or partial water changes might higher dkh be desirable?
Not questioning your test methods or equipment.

 

[arking_mark]

my thoughts exactly. However I recalibrated both salinity tools and had my trident test the alkalinity aswell. So pretty sure it’s right. The salt was tropic Marin pro both times just a different batch

Try mixing by cup and see what you get. I ended throwing out two refractometers...I only trust my high-precision TM hydrometer.

 

[Zach Hart]

If only doing small or partial water exchanges might higher dkh be desirable?
Not questioning your test methods or equipment.

Well I try to keep dkh around 7-8 coz I’ve got acros. When I do a water change using 10dkh water it causes a spike in alkalinity

 

[Zach Hart]

Try mixing by cup and see what you get. I ended throwing out two refractometers...I only trust my high-precision TM hydrometer.

By cup do you mean like grams? I’m in uk lol

 

[wil-yuhm]

Well I try to keep dkh around 7-8 coz I’ve got acros. When I do a water change using 10dkh water it causes a spike in alkalinity

Thank you. I received an order of Instant Ocean reef crystals momentarily ago and read same high dkh was tested by reef2reef members.

 

[Potatohead]

my thoughts exactly. However I recalibrated both salinity tools and had my trident test the alkalinity aswell. So pretty sure it’s right

At this point I would verify 100% your salinity calibration solution is correct. If it's not one of those 35 ppt pouches (like the ph 7.0 and 10.0 things) and it maybe an older bottle or something I would be questioning it for sure.

will check in a minute

If they're also high it's almost certainly high salinity

 

[arking_mark]

By cup do you mean like grams? I’m in uk lol

Lol. Per TM Pro instructions...

To achieve a salinity level of 32–35‰ (psu), dissolve 35 ml (approx. 37–40 g / 1.3–1.4 oz.) of Tropic Marin® Pro-Reef for every litre or 0.5 cup (approx. 140-150 g) for every US-gallon of water in a container, circulating continuously.

 

[Zach Hart]

At this point I would verify 100% your salinity calibration solution is correct. If it's not one of those 35 ppt pouches (like the ph 7.0 and 10.0 things) and it maybe an older bottle or something I would be questioning it for sure.



If they're also high it's almost certainly high salinity

It’s the Hanna calibration solution packet so it should be right

 

[Saltyreef]

Try mixing by cup and see what you get. I ended throwing out two refractometers...I only trust my high-precision TM hydrometer.

+100.

TM hydrometer is the boss of salinity tools

 

[Zach Hart]

Calcium is testing 390. Do you think maybe the salt bucket just needs mixing

 

[Saltyreef]

Calcium is testing 390. Do you think maybe the salt bucket just needs mixing

Why dont you try it and let us know

 

[Zach Hart]

Na mixing didn’t help. And neither did mixing the salt in exact weight. Still testing 9.8dkh but the calcium is 430 now instead of 390 like it was before