IO salt parameters

loc01 · 06/17/2018, 07:16 PM

Is this right? I just checked freshly made water and the alkalinity is way too high.
Salinity 1.025
Cal 450ppm
Alk 17.5dkh
Mag 1500ppm

Loc

miralami · 06/17/2018, 07:26 PM

Nah, not right.
Alk of IO should be around 8.5 based on few tests I done.

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vuqchu · 06/17/2018, 07:31 PM

Wow. That’s way high. I get around 10.5-11.

solitude127 · 06/17/2018, 07:47 PM

Was it from a bucket or the 200g box?

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loc01 · 06/17/2018, 08:06 PM

I tested 4 times using Salifert test kit, both from 160g bucket and the 200g box yield the same measurement.

Loc

bowlopho · 06/17/2018, 08:58 PM

Io regular or Reef crystals? I know RC has a high alk

pga7602 · 06/17/2018, 10:09 PM

What I noticed is that right after mixing it registers really high, but after 24 hours alk drops back to normal params.

loc01 · 06/17/2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pga7602

What I noticed is that right after mixing it registers really high, but after 24 hours alk drops back to normal params.

This I haven't tried. The most I waited was 8 hrs.

classictint · 06/18/2018, 09:43 AM

Usually drops 1 dkh after 24 hrs

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pa1ntbru5h · 06/18/2018, 11:12 AM

Wow that's super high. Mine mixes around 10-11 dkh.

Check to make sure you're running your test correctly.
Salifert changed the Alk test not too long ago. It's 2 drops of the blue dye instead of 4 now.

sil40sx · 06/18/2018, 01:12 PM

Is this regular IO or the IORC?

caliMako · 06/18/2018, 02:43 PM

Agree with others. Mine mixed around 10 alk. And I never get that high mg. Usually around 1250

Quote:

Originally Posted by sil40sx

Is this regular IO or the IORC?

Quote:

Originally Posted by loc01

Is this right? I just checked freshly made water and the alkalinity is way too high.
Salinity 1.025
Cal 450ppm
Alk 17.5dkh
Mag 1500ppm

Loc

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KWoo008 · 06/18/2018, 03:03 PM

Maybe ask a fellow reefer in your area to come test with their test kit?

loc01 · 06/18/2018, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa1ntbru5h

Wow that's super high. Mine mixes around 10-11 dkh.

Check to make sure you're running your test correctly.
Salifert changed the Alk test not too long ago. It's 2 drops of the blue dye instead of 4 now.

Today I checked the instruction it takes 4 drops for full scale and 2 for half scale. The new mixed water I did yesterday I checked it again today it read 16.5dkh. I just ordered another test kit, I doubted it's the test kit because when I checked my tank water it read normal range 10.3 dkh.

Loc

laverda · 06/18/2018, 09:07 PM

I have not used IO in a long time. In the past non of there numbers were that high. Ca and Mag were usually low with the ALK high. Ca and Mag were low enough I would mix 50/50 with Oceanic and get a pretty balanced mix. I wounder if you salinity might be higher than you think.

loc01 · 06/18/2018, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laverda

I have not used IO in a long time. In the past non of there numbers were that high. Ca and Mag were usually low with the ALK high. Ca and Mag were low enough I would mix 50/50 with Oceanic and get a pretty balanced mix. I wounder if you salinity might be higher than you think.

Nope, I thought that too but double check with 2 different refractometers. Could that be the water hardness in the city of Orange affect the alk, beside I filter the water with carbon only but not rodi water?

Sisterlimonpot · 06/18/2018, 11:08 PM

IO always has been high on the alk, that's nothing out of the ordinary, which is why some reefers steer clear of IO and go with RC. To bring it down you can add add muriatic acid to freshly mixed salt water before you do your water change. Do a quick search to learn more.

laverda · 06/19/2018, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loc01

Nope, I thought that too but double check with 2 different refractometers. Could that be the water hardness in the city of Orange affect the alk, beside I filter the water with carbon only but not rodi water?

That would account for all your numbers being higher than expected. A RO/DI strips out beneficial elements as well as the bad. There is no way to remove just the bad without removing things like carbonate, bicarbinate, calcium, magnesIum and others. How long have you been using carbon only? I would not expect your tank to be as nice as it is with using just carbon.

loc01 · 06/19/2018, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laverda

That would account for all your numbers being higher than expected. A RO/DI strips out beneficial elements as well as the bad. There is no way to remove just the bad without removing things like carbonate, bicarbinate, calcium, magnesIum and others. How long have you been using carbon only? I would not expect your tank to be as nice as it is with using just carbon.

About 3 ,4 years fast and convenient and 0 waste water too.

laverda · 06/20/2018, 12:28 PM

You forgot inexpensive and easy! The water in Orange must be a lot better than in Anaheim.

loc01 · 06/21/2018, 01:34 AM

As of today the new water is 3 days old, the alk is 14dkh, cal 450ppm, mag 1500ppm, using Salifert test kits. My buddy used his Hanna test shows alk 13.8dkh, cal 485ppm. We concluded that the water hardness is the culprit because I remember IO has low magnesium and low calcium. I will mix some more water using RODI to confirm.

Rakie · 06/21/2018, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miralami

Nah, not right.
Alk of IO should be around 8.5 based on few tests I done.

That seems too low. It's standard to be around 10+, I might try a different test kit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vuqchu

Wow. That’s way high. I get around 10.5-11.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa1ntbru5h

Wow that's super high. Mine mixes around 10-11 dkh.

That sounds typical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pa1ntbru5h

Check to make sure you're running your test correctly.
Salifert changed the Alk test not too long ago. It's 2 drops of the blue dye instead of 4 now.

Really? Interesting! The last one I got was still 4 drops, haven't gotten the newest batches yet it seems.

bowlopho · 06/21/2018, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loc01

As of today the new water is 3 days old, the alk is 14dkh, cal 450ppm, mag 1500ppm, using Salifert test kits. My buddy used his Hanna test shows alk 13.8dkh, cal 485ppm. We concluded that the water hardness is the culprit because I remember IO has low magnesium and low calcium. I will mix some more water using RODI to confirm.

So to confirm. Are you using IO regular (purple) or IO Reef Crystal (orange)? Because your levels are right around Reef crystal parameters. Or maybe you got a mislabeled batch and they got switched up lol

https://ilovesanimal.com/best-salt-mix-for-reef-tank/

loc01 · 06/21/2018, 08:59 AM

Regular purple box of 4 bags.

Bpb · 06/21/2018, 11:16 AM

Folks. Case closed. He’s using dechlorinated tap water. That’s where the extra alkalinity is coming from. IO mixes at 9-11 dkh for me every time since I began using it in 2011. If I used tap water it would mix out at about 25-28 dkh because my tap water has 20 dkh or so depending on time of year. The IO isnt mixing high, his source water has additional alkalinity

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06/17/2018, 07:16 PM	#1
loc01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange,Ca Posts: 3,039	IO salt parameters Is this right? I just checked freshly made water and the alkalinity is way too high. Salinity 1.025 Cal 450ppm Alk 17.5dkh Mag 1500ppm Loc

06/17/2018, 07:47 PM	#4
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Was it from a bucket or the 200g box? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

06/17/2018, 08:58 PM	#6
bowlopho Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 684	Io regular or Reef crystals? I know RC has a high alk __________________ im nuvo 40 w/ XR30w G4

06/18/2018, 03:03 PM	#13
KWoo008 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lake Balboa, CA Posts: 2,526	Maybe ask a fellow reefer in your area to come test with their test kit? __________________ Kelly

06/18/2018, 09:07 PM	#15
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	I have not used IO in a long time. In the past non of there numbers were that high. Ca and Mag were usually low with the ALK high. Ca and Mag were low enough I would mix 50/50 with Oceanic and get a pretty balanced mix. I wounder if you salinity might be higher than you think. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

06/17/2018, 07:26 PM	#2
miralami Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: OC California Posts: 485	Nah, not right. Alk of IO should be around 8.5 based on few tests I done. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/17/2018, 07:31 PM	#3
vuqchu Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 1,885	Wow. That’s way high. I get around 10.5-11.

06/17/2018, 08:06 PM	#5
loc01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange,Ca Posts: 3,039	I tested 4 times using Salifert test kit, both from 160g bucket and the 200g box yield the same measurement. Loc

06/17/2018, 10:09 PM	#7
pga7602 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,488	What I noticed is that right after mixing it registers really high, but after 24 hours alk drops back to normal params.

06/18/2018, 09:43 AM	#9
classictint Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 84	Usually drops 1 dkh after 24 hrs Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

06/18/2018, 11:12 AM	#10
pa1ntbru5h Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights Posts: 646	Wow that's super high. Mine mixes around 10-11 dkh. Check to make sure you're running your test correctly. Salifert changed the Alk test not too long ago. It's 2 drops of the blue dye instead of 4 now.

06/18/2018, 01:12 PM	#11
sil40sx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 686	Is this regular IO or the IORC?

06/18/2018, 11:08 PM	#17
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	IO always has been high on the alk, that's nothing out of the ordinary, which is why some reefers steer clear of IO and go with RC. To bring it down you can add add muriatic acid to freshly mixed salt water before you do your water change. Do a quick search to learn more. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

06/20/2018, 12:28 PM	#20
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	You forgot inexpensive and easy! The water in Orange must be a lot better than in Anaheim. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

06/21/2018, 01:34 AM	#21
loc01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange,Ca Posts: 3,039	As of today the new water is 3 days old, the alk is 14dkh, cal 450ppm, mag 1500ppm, using Salifert test kits. My buddy used his Hanna test shows alk 13.8dkh, cal 485ppm. We concluded that the water hardness is the culprit because I remember IO has low magnesium and low calcium. I will mix some more water using RODI to confirm.

06/21/2018, 08:59 AM	#24
loc01 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Orange,Ca Posts: 3,039	Regular purple box of 4 bags.

06/21/2018, 11:16 AM	#25
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Folks. Case closed. He’s using dechlorinated tap water. That’s where the extra alkalinity is coming from. IO mixes at 9-11 dkh for me every time since I began using it in 2011. If I used tap water it would mix out at about 25-28 dkh because my tap water has 20 dkh or so depending on time of year. The IO isnt mixing high, his source water has additional alkalinity Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro