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

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbaBoBobBrain

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweaked

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerMike

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweaked

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?

07/29/2013, 09:01 PM	#1
PL-Reef Awesome Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chaplin,Ct Posts: 4,345	Odd ball parameters... 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? __________________ Jas tested, mother disapproved. Current Tank Info: 2 gallon goldfish bowl with a happy 7" Naso tang and 2 small Beluga whales. Just added a baby dolphin, large Trigger, a herd of Sea Horses and just fragged my first Manatee. All fish safely hand caught using organic cyanide.

07/29/2013, 09:16 PM	#2
Unclepain Lurker Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Columbia , Ct Posts: 526	Reef crystals is pretty high in ALK. Are you using that or regular old orange box ? __________________ On hiatus.....for now

07/29/2013, 09:23 PM	#3
PL-Reef Awesome Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chaplin,Ct Posts: 4,345	Reg IO. __________________ Jas tested, mother disapproved. Current Tank Info: 2 gallon goldfish bowl with a happy 7" Naso tang and 2 small Beluga whales. Just added a baby dolphin, large Trigger, a herd of Sea Horses and just fragged my first Manatee. All fish safely hand caught using organic cyanide.

07/29/2013, 09:25 PM	#4
PL-Reef Awesome Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chaplin,Ct Posts: 4,345	I know usually IO is low on mag but it was spot on this time. __________________ Jas tested, mother disapproved. Current Tank Info: 2 gallon goldfish bowl with a happy 7" Naso tang and 2 small Beluga whales. Just added a baby dolphin, large Trigger, a herd of Sea Horses and just fragged my first Manatee. All fish safely hand caught using organic cyanide.

07/29/2013, 09:33 PM	#6
PL-Reef Awesome Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chaplin,Ct Posts: 4,345	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. __________________ Jas tested, mother disapproved. Current Tank Info: 2 gallon goldfish bowl with a happy 7" Naso tang and 2 small Beluga whales. Just added a baby dolphin, large Trigger, a herd of Sea Horses and just fragged my first Manatee. All fish safely hand caught using organic cyanide.

07/29/2013, 09:27 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	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.

07/29/2013, 10:57 PM	#7
Chriskid Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: plainfield, CT Posts: 4,153	i found IO needs 8 hours to stablize. i dont always wait but then again what i add really dosent do anything for me __________________ 2014 CTARS prez This hobby will only take you as far as you let it. When people ask dumb questions, I feel obligated to give sarcastic answers. Current Tank Info: 210g mostly sps(1/3 top to bottem zoa, paly display),20gal frag tank .just added a 40gal breeder frag tank

07/29/2013, 11:58 PM	#8
PL-Reef Awesome Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chaplin,Ct Posts: 4,345	It sat for almost 30 hours before I tested. __________________ Jas tested, mother disapproved. Current Tank Info: 2 gallon goldfish bowl with a happy 7" Naso tang and 2 small Beluga whales. Just added a baby dolphin, large Trigger, a herd of Sea Horses and just fragged my first Manatee. All fish safely hand caught using organic cyanide.

07/30/2013, 04:32 AM	#9
Tweaked FUP&A Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Madison, CT Posts: 7,722	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. __________________ DSA 105 Pro, Cebu Sun-Radiums-M80 Ballasts, 4 T5's, XHO LEDs. Through Wall 55g Sump, 10g Frag and 29g Display attached, Vertex V6, 3 mp40's, Gyre, 2 mp10's, GFO, Carbon, Pellets - 10g Bar Tank

07/30/2013, 05:19 AM	#10
BubbaBoBobBrain Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Thompson, CT Posts: 5,937	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 __________________ My fish swam away with my 401k, lol Bob

07/30/2013, 10:21 AM	#13
PL-Reef Awesome Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chaplin,Ct Posts: 4,345	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? __________________ Jas tested, mother disapproved. Current Tank Info: 2 gallon goldfish bowl with a happy 7" Naso tang and 2 small Beluga whales. Just added a baby dolphin, large Trigger, a herd of Sea Horses and just fragged my first Manatee. All fish safely hand caught using organic cyanide.

08/03/2013, 11:44 AM	#16
GobyWanKenobie Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Kingstown, Rhode Island Posts: 546	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? __________________ 72 Bowfront w/T5 - softies, RSM 250 w/leds - sps, 29 biocube softies, 28 JBJ HQI sps, 14 biocube frag/nursery