Billybeau1
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:lol:
A General Guide to Salt Mixes
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:lol:
Billybeau1
Premium Member
:lol:
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Most salt manufacturers base their numbers on 1.024
I suspect if you actually mixed Coralife to 35ppt or 1.0264, you will probably get the numbers I posted.
I have no idea why they all use 1.024 as a reference, but they do. My guess is it makes their salt look like it goes a longer way.
Calcium and Magnesium numbers will definitely be lower at 1.024
I tried Reef Crystals tonight on some BBQ'd Tri-Tip. It was ok, and it had a vitamin taste to it, so I felt it was ok to skip eating my vegetables.
:lol:
I still have some bags of Coralife salt mix that are more than a decade old. I occasionally use them on the sidewalk during ice storms, or in an ice cream maker in the summer. They sent it to me free as a (failed) way to placate me for two mh lamps they sold me that literally exploded. At the time Coralife salt had a very poor reputation, and I chose to never added it to my tank, but it does have other uses.
:lol:
I still have some bags of Coralife salt mix that are more than a decade old. I occasionally use them on the sidewalk during ice storms, or in an ice cream maker in the summer. They sent it to me free as a (failed) way to placate me for two mh lamps they sold me that literally exploded. At the time Coralife salt had a very poor reputation, and I chose to never added it to my tank, but it does have other uses.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Well Randy, I'm sorry for your past troubles but as you know things change in this hobby.
Coralife is gaining popularity because of its higher calcium and magnesium. Many reefers I know use it and have fantastic looking reefs.
I have not seen one report of someones tank suffering because of this salt.
I cannot speak for the Coralife salt that was made 10 years ago, but I can tell you the Coralife salt sold today is giving many reefers nice looking tanks. I suspect because of the high calcium and magnesium which they do not supplement and it just kinda balances out with water changes.
I do tell users of Coralife to keep an eye on their alk. This needs to be supplemented when using this salt mix.
Coralife is gaining popularity because of its higher calcium and magnesium. Many reefers I know use it and have fantastic looking reefs.
I have not seen one report of someones tank suffering because of this salt.
I cannot speak for the Coralife salt that was made 10 years ago, but I can tell you the Coralife salt sold today is giving many reefers nice looking tanks. I suspect because of the high calcium and magnesium which they do not supplement and it just kinda balances out with water changes.
I do tell users of Coralife to keep an eye on their alk. This needs to be supplemented when using this salt mix.
FWIW, they have clearly changed the formulation a lot over the years. I'm not saying it is not a fine salt today.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
You are probably right, but, till the day I die, I will never forget your story about melting snow with it a number of years ago. That's one for the ages. :lol:
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Haven't tested that one yet. Where do you get it ?
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Nevermind. I found it at Marine Depot. I'm about ready for supplies anyways and at 19.95, I'll pick up a small bucket.
I like the numbers they post at 1.025
I like the numbers they post at 1.025
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Last time I checked, the best test kit for Viagra is the wife.
Or significant other (to be politically correct)
Or significant other (to be politically correct)
Billybeau1
Premium Member
:lol:
tyleratl
New member
I've been using Coralife and have been pleased with it. But, as Billy says, the Alk is low. I am adding buffer almost daily and still can't seem to get my Alk above 7 or 8 DKH. My PH is hovering at 8.0. I'm starting to wonder if I should try Seachem Reef for the higher Alkalinity numbers. But, Coralife does have very good levels of all the other good stuff and very low levels of the bad stuff.
Inability to keep the alkalinity up is not really attributable to the salt mix, but rather to either not adding enough, or having excessive precipitation of calcium carbonate, due to any combination of high pH, high alkalinity, low magnesium, or very high calcium.
The pH is driven by the carbon dioxide level in the tank (which in turn is mostly driven by the CO2 level in your home air) and the alkalinity. It too is not impacted appreciably by the salt mix choice.
The pH is driven by the carbon dioxide level in the tank (which in turn is mostly driven by the CO2 level in your home air) and the alkalinity. It too is not impacted appreciably by the salt mix choice.
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tyleratl
New member
Thanks Randy. I'll stick with Coralife salt then.
I have probably not been adding enough buffer. I don't have high PH. I have not measured my magnesium. My calcium is currently at 400. It used to be around 500, but I lowered the salinity slightly (to 1.025) because I read that very high calcium might be a contributor to the low alkalinity.
I have probably not been adding enough buffer. I don't have high PH. I have not measured my magnesium. My calcium is currently at 400. It used to be around 500, but I lowered the salinity slightly (to 1.025) because I read that very high calcium might be a contributor to the low alkalinity.
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