Reef Crystals : What is your batch testing at?

[Mojo Jojo]

Just a wonder on what your RC is testing at? Here is mine I just tested about 10 minutes ago(SG of 35) and it has been mixing in there for 2-3 days. I just changed from Oceanic to RC and have been very happy so far. Just add some calcium to balance the ALK level and I'm good to go :D

CAL - 380
ALK - 12
MAG - 1260

[fingersdlp]

Those mostly agree with what I have seen. I had one batch that was even higher on the alkalinity (like 16) but that was about a year ago. I think the last batch I tested was about 10 to 11

[Travis L. Stevens]

Ca - 440 ppm
Alk - 9 dkh
Mag - ???

[Mojo Jojo]

I just noticed a mistake I put SG instead of PPT. Well you guys know what I meant:p

[Kurt03]

this is from memory but...
35ppt
around 440 calc
alk around 12 or so
mg was a little odd up around 1400

I will check for sure when i get home.

[bennyinca]

Glad to hear that, I just got a bucket of RC, switching from Oceanpure pro.

[Kurt03]

heres what i actually wrote down :D

ReefCrystals 35ppt 12.6alk 400ppmCalc 1440mg
All salifert tests.

[davocean]

Slightly off topic, but maybe this will help me out.
My tank tested at 1050 mg (salifert) which is low and may be source of alk/cal issues I'm having.
I just tested new water w/ RC and that also tests at 1050, much lower than you guys.
My probs started after purchase of new RO/DI, could that be pulling mag?
Sorry for hijack, but I'm stressed on chem bal issues(of tank!)

[Kurt03]

im using RODI 0tds, how old is your test kit? Has this been from the same bucket or have several buckets tested low for you?
Have you checked it against another kit? friend or lfs would work.

[vessxpress1]

Mixed up 4 gallons in RO/DI.

I'm about 3/4 of the way into the bucket.

Water temp 80 degrees.

SG: 1.026/ 35 ppt (properly calibrated refractometer)

New Salifert kits:

pH: 8.1-8.2 range

Ca: 430

Alk: 13 dKH

Mg: 1300

[davocean]

Thanks Kurt, just bought a brand new salifert kit.
This is first batch w/ RC
The kit says there will be an air bubble that doesn't affect test, but I don't recall the cal test having that bubble.
I've been having issues raising alk and cal, so this could be my problem.

[Mojo Jojo]

davocean - The bubble does nothing. When does the test expire? A store tried to rip me off and sell me a test that expires in two months. You know I went back:p

Kurt03 - Whoa! Those levels are pretty high. Pretty good overall.

[davocean]

Test expires 06-2009
No, something is definitely up, or down really.
I've added more baking soda than calculator said needed(over a couple weeks), Yet can't get past 2.2
Also. cal was 300, then 250, then I doubled and got back up to 300, but that's it.
b4 was 450 for the longest time.
This rides right there w/ keeping alk/ cal low.

[Mojo Jojo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9778281#post9778281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davocean
Test expires 06-2009
No, something is definitely up, or down really.
I've added more baking soda than calculator said needed(over a couple weeks), Yet can't get past 2.2
Also. cal was 300, then 250, then I doubled and got back up to 300, but that's it.
b4 was 450 for the longest time.
This rides right there w/ keeping alk/ cal low.

So the test you gave above is the tank water? or the batch water? If its the tank what do you have in there?

[davocean]

I tested both for mag, just tank for cal.
I have; One huge sebae(22"), one huge LTA(20"), a very large head of zenia, frog s, sinularia, birdsnet, monti,colonies, GSP, shrooms, duster's,
Med stock of fish
Chaeto.
Was running rowa, pulled 2 weeks ago as I know this can drop alk.

[navipro1]

My RC with RO/DI water=
sG 1.025
PH 8.1
Dkh 9
CA 380

the 160gal bucket only seems to make about 130gal, used about 4 buckets of it, all seem to average 120g-130gal...not 160gal, maybe because I'm using RO/DI water...dunno....

[spleen93]

The gallon rating is only based on a SG of around 1.022 or 1.024 or so. If you make full strength seawater at around 1.026, you'll always make less than the bucket claims.

Spleen

[Frick-n-Frags]

i tested fresh mixed reefcrystals at 35ppt and the alk came out to 12.something lo-range salifert (12-12.5ish)

didn't check the others.



also, if you seem to be using too much salt, maybe your specific gravity measurer is not calibrated and is reading low.