Tropic Marin Pro

[Smite]

I am currently using IO reef crystals but I'm thinking of switching over to Tropic Marin's Pro salt mix. My parameters are controlled by a CaRx. The reef crystals have done well so far but with the alkalinity mixing so high I find my Alk level creeping up over time with weekly water changes. My mag and cal are spot on, so I don't want to just turn the reactor down to compensate for the alk increase. The TM Pro looks to be designed around the use of a calcium reactor, with the higher cal and mag and lower alkalinity levels. I keep mostly sps and this looks like it would suit my tanks consumption.

My concern lies with some "old" reviews of batches having extremely low alkalinity levels once mixed, with people claiming the original recipe/mix had been altered. I also found a thread where TM replied and said it had not been.

So, I'm just curious if any recent TM Pro users still find this to be the case. Most of the reviews referring to this seem to be from around the 2010-2011 time frame.

If there is a more recent thread I missed on the topic, I'd love a link too.

Another salt that seems to meet my needs would be the regular Red Sea mix. I'd love to hear from any members using that for a "long" (more that one bucket) period of time.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I used TM years ago with good success. I currently have several hundred pounds of HW Marinemix to use up before I go shopping for another pallet of salt mix. Sorry have no TM experiance lately.

 

[Smite]

I used TM years ago with good success. I currently have several hundred pounds of HW Marinemix to use up before I go shopping for another pallet of salt mix. Sorry have no TM experiance lately.

Thank you for the response Lowell. I decided to give Red Sea a go after talking to a buddy who has had consistent results with it.

 

[Diesel]

How long you have your CaRx running and what do you use for media?

 

[Smite]

How long you have your CaRx running and what do you use for media?

My calcium reactor runs 24/7 controlled by Apex. It's been running since the start of the tank (actually transfered over with my coral from my last system so about 1 year total). I run the TLF rebourne/ zeomag in a GEO 618.
I run a faster affluent rate with a higher pH in the reactor, about 7.1 +- 0.5, to avoid clogs.

 

[Smite]

How long you have your CaRx running and what do you use for media?

My calcium reactor runs 24/7 controlled by Apex. It's been running since the start of the tank (actually transfered over with my coral from my last system so about 1 year total). I run the TLF rebourne/ zeomag in a GEO 618.
I run a faster affluent rate with a higher pH in the reactor, about 7.1 +- 0.5, to avoid clogs.

 

[Diesel]

IMO, your PH in your reactor is to set high.
But there are a few things going on I noticed, nothing major but it can make a difference.

Zeomag has a faster melting rate as the Reborn.
When i was running the Z-mag my MAG was always high "1600+".
I switched to the Brightwell which was a lot better and was melting at the same level as my Reborn around 6.8.
Now I run the Newborn Mag same melting rate as per Julian.
Bringing your PH down in the reactor and reduce the affluent or get a second reactor will improve the level of your ALK a lot and stay more consistent on balance.
If you are afraid for clogs you can go more step higher with the circulation pump on the reactor which i did too in my case and I have the same
GEO 618 like yourself.
Affluent rate is set to 60ml per minute and PH probe in the reactor at 6.7 off - 6.9 on.
Have a duel reactor chamber to burn off the Co2 and better mix of the media.
The reactor is coming on about twice matbe three times per hour.
I mix my salt 50/50% TM and RS pro.
Hope this helps you a little to point you in a direction you might put your mind on, I'm telling you in no way not to change till you feel comfortable with the direction and settings for your system.
I have about 90% SPS and they are all colonies, keep my ALK at 8.2, CAL is at 420 and MAG around 1350+.
Po4 at 0.05 and No3 is at 6 give and take depends on the feedings.
Post some pictures of your tank in that case I have a idea about your system.

 

[Smite]

IMO, your PH in your reactor is to set high.
But there are a few things going on I noticed, nothing major but it can make a difference.

Zeomag has a faster melting rate as the Reborn.
When i was running the Z-mag my MAG was always high "1600+".
I switched to the Brightwell which was a lot better and was melting at the same level as my Reborn around 6.8.
Now I run the Newborn Mag same melting rate as per Julian.
Bringing your PH down in the reactor and reduce the affluent or get a second reactor will improve the level of your ALK a lot and stay more consistent on balance.
If you are afraid for clogs you can go more step higher with the circulation pump on the reactor which i did too in my case and I have the same
GEO 618 like yourself.
Affluent rate is set to 60ml per minute and PH probe in the reactor at 6.7 off - 6.9 on.
Have a duel reactor chamber to burn off the Co2 and better mix of the media.
The reactor is coming on about twice matbe three times per hour.
I mix my salt 50/50% TM and RS pro.
Hope this helps you a little to point you in a direction you might put your mind on, I'm telling you in no way not to change till you feel comfortable with the direction and settings for your system.
I have about 90% SPS and they are all colonies, keep my ALK at 8.2, CAL is at 420 and MAG around 1350+.
Po4 at 0.05 and No3 is at 6 give and take depends on the feedings.
Post some pictures of your tank in that case I have a idea about your system.

Thanks for the input Diesel! My mag is always on the high side so that definetley makes sense. I actually bought the brightwell brand for the next fill up. I was planning on comparing the two, it's good to know it is more compatible with the rebourne media.

I didn't explain myself correctly in my first post. Without a water change my alk cal and mag are locked in at 9.3;420; mag high at 1650 from battling bryopsis.

My problem was with alk rising over 2-3 water changes weekly @ 20% using reef crystals. So I was looking into TM pro and red sea for their lower alk ranges. I went with red sea blue bucket after reading too many reviews about inaccurate batches of TM.

I have a 100g system with about 80% sps but mostly frags, I believe this is why I get away with the higher pH/affluent rate. I found I had more swings with a more consentrated drip and constantly re adjusting the flow.

I do have a second chamber for my Geo. IM sure I'll have to lower my pH once things fill in. At that time I'll probably add peristaltic pump if I can find one in hood shape.