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View Full Version : Odd ball parameters...

PL-Reef
07/29/2013, 09:01 PM
I made up water for a water change yesterday using Instant Ocean salt. I tested (Red Sea Foundation test, KH, Ca, Mg) the water before adding it to the tank. What puzzles me is the ALK... Mag and Ca was normal. Mag 1400 and Ca 450 but the ALK was 12.3 dKH. I tested them all again. Again the Mag and Ca was the same but my ALK was 12.9 dKH? What gives? Is it normal to have such a high ALK with Instant Ocean salt?
Unclepain
07/29/2013, 09:16 PM
Reef crystals is pretty high in ALK. Are you using that or regular old orange box ?
PL-Reef
07/29/2013, 09:23 PM
Reg IO.
PL-Reef
07/29/2013, 09:25 PM
I know usually IO is low on mag but it was spot on this time.
ca1ore
07/29/2013, 09:27 PM
I use regular IO salt (not ripoff, err, reef crystals) and have found batches to run a bit high on Alk. Haven't tested recently tho. Wouldn't think it would be a problem unless doing massive water changes.
PL-Reef
07/29/2013, 09:33 PM
Not sure what % I just did. About 15g out of a system that runs around 110g total. I try to do the same amount every Sunday.
Chriskid
07/29/2013, 10:57 PM
i found IO needs 8 hours to stablize. i dont always wait but then again what i add really dosent do anything for me
PL-Reef
07/29/2013, 11:58 PM
It sat for almost 30 hours before I tested.
Tweaked
07/30/2013, 04:32 AM
This was my issue with running a low nutrient system. I run my ca at only 400 if that, and alk usually around 7.9-8.1. Red Sea salt was the best I found locally, and a great price if you shop PCs specials. Check it out, more towards NSW levels.
BubbaBoBobBrain
07/30/2013, 05:19 AM
The box that I just opened up was like that too. I always keep a 45 gallon container of salt water mixed and have noticed that the mag and alk was higher than before. I wonder if they are gonna change them like this permanently or if it was just an off box
Chriskid
07/30/2013, 06:05 AM
The box that I just opened up was like that too. I always keep a 45 gallon container of salt water mixed and have noticed that the mag and alk was higher than before. I wonder if they are gonna change them like this permanently or if it was just an off box

they better not I've grown quite accustomed to their low levels
SteelerMike
07/30/2013, 09:56 AM
This was my issue with running a low nutrient system. I run my ca at only 400 if that, and alk usually around 7.9-8.1. Red Sea salt was the best I found locally, and a great price if you shop PCs specials. Check it out, more towards NSW levels.


It's interesting to hear you say that because I think I am going to switch away from Red Sea Coral Pro as my last few batches have been mixing up at 13.5 DKH! I recently added a basement sump and added ~45 gallons of freshly mixed RCP and it quickly raised my DKH from about 7.5 (which I know was a bit low) to 10 and fried a bunch of my corals. My tank is still not looking too good although I now have it stabilized around 9. I was thinking of switching because I'm afraid every water change will cause a big swing like that....
PL-Reef
07/30/2013, 10:21 AM
Yeah it kind of freaks me out at 12ish dKH. My tank was at 8.3dKH so bringing up some with my water change wouldn't be the end of the world. But I don't want to keep having these big swings every time I Chang my water. I still have a bag and a half left from my 200g box and am considering throwing it out and switching salts. Any suggestions?
Tweaked
07/30/2013, 11:50 AM
It's interesting to hear you say that because I think I am going to switch away from Red Sea Coral Pro as my last few batches have been mixing up at 13.5 DKH! I recently added a basement sump and added ~45 gallons of freshly mixed RCP and it quickly raised my DKH from about 7.5 (which I know was a bit low) to 10 and fried a bunch of my corals. My tank is still not looking too good although I now have it stabilized around 9. I was thinking of switching because I'm afraid every water change will cause a big swing like that....

Just to confirm, I made the mistake of buying Pro when I first started- won't make that mistake again. I use the regular ole Red Sea Salt- Blue Bucket/bag.
SteelerMike
07/30/2013, 12:34 PM
Just to confirm, I made the mistake of buying Pro when I first started- won't make that mistake again. I use the regular ole Red Sea Salt- Blue Bucket/bag.

Good to know...sounds like the paramters are better on that one?
GobyWanKenobie
08/03/2013, 11:44 AM
I know how to raise my alk, but not how to lower it. I do my water changes very slowly because of the difference, but I still tend to lose an occasional frag since the new water is higher in alk. How do you adjust your water to match your tank?

I know I could raise my display tank over time, but it's a struggle for me to keep my alk high, and my corals do fine with the lower level so it would be easier for me to adjust the new water. Any suggestions?