A General Guide to Salt Mixes

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14313777#post14313777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rob020880
If I use a refractometer that automatically compensates for temp do I have to bring the new water I am about to mix to my exact tank temp? Would a degree or two in either direction really make any sort of difference? Assuming it is a small water change.
Click to expand...

No. :)
 
Re: thank you all for the help.

Re: thank you all for the help.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14303754#post14303754 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ehutchby
I have converted my FOWLR tank to a soon to be SPS dominated tank. So far I have used Instant Ocean salt with no problems, other than dosing to adjust the parameters.
I am looking to change and have a couple of questions.
1. Do you recomend keeping your RO/DI water at a certain temperature when mixing? I keep my RO/DI supply in the garage and some times it can get cold.
2. If you get a "bad batch" of salt from a manufacturer, where the parameters are not what they advertise, has anyone asked for a refund? Thoughts?
I understand you can dose to adjust the parameters, but you are using your own supplies to make the product work the way it was supposed to.
3. Last: DD H2Ocean w/ High Magnesium salt and Red Sea Pro. Those that use this salt: what has been your experiences??
Thanks again..
Click to expand...

1. I like warming my water up with a heater to help dissolving.

2. Some have and have been successful. These are rare occurrences. :)

3. I have not heard many complaints about either of these salts. :)
 
I just made the switch to reef crystals. I tested it, and it came out:

DKH: 11.5
Calcium: 380-400
Magnesium: 1300

Not bad, it seems like the exact opposite of the last salt I used (Red Sea Coral Pro) that had 500 calcium and 5 dkh. Only this salt I'll have to add a little 2-part calcium to the water changes instead of the alkalinity.
 
Question for you guys..I got a friend that is using Instant Ocean and every time he tested his water its always around 15dkh....why is this? i thought instant ocean is 12dkh out of the bag?

This is after 24 hours of aging in a bucket..is this normal? why the alk is so high in this particular salt?
 
your friend may have a faulty salinity test kit, for one thing. Another thing is that his salinity measurement could be off. Plus the IO salt could have higher then normal alkalinity, or it could be a combination of all three things. When I get strange results like this I try to cross-check with a different test kit and make sure that my salinity measurement tool is calibrated correctly.
 
he said he bought the test kit a month ago, and its a Salifert so i don't think its that old. His salinity is at 25.

He also mentions that his calcium is always high too...500+ range. I dont know, i guess he should buy another test kit? or another salinity test?
 
Salifert had problems with their alkalinity tests - but it was some time ago and they were suppose to have it resolved. Might want to compare it against another test kit - perhaps borrow one or have a pet store test it if he doesn't want to purchase a new one. Could be the Salifert is accurate, but would be good to compare it against another test kit to find out for sure. Look for a date on the Salifert to see if you can tell when the regents were created/packaged. I know my API calcium test kit tests high as well - around 20-50 above what it really is.
 
If his salinity measuring tool is not right, everything else will be wrong too so that's a good place to start. By the way, in a recent experience with Pinpoint Salinity calibration fluid, I found 4 bottles of it with 3 different salinity measures. 1.023 (x 2) , 1.026, 1.025. See how easy it is to base all your tests on a salinity that might be wrong?
 
Another Seachem question. Why does everyone use the reef and not Marine salt, What are the differences? Looking at billys results i actually like the Marines numbers better
Cal alk mag
Reef 540 10 1450
Marine 500 10 1400
 
The main difference is more calcium and magnesium in the reef salt.

Fish only tanks are not as concerned about calcium and magnesium.

You'll notice alkalinity is the same in both. :)

The other point is most owners of fish only tanks do not keep their s.g. at 1.026 There is no need to IMO.

I personally keep my FO at 1.023 or so.

So if you mix Seachem marine salt to 1.023, cal and mag will be less than what I posted.

:)
 
I currently use RC and the Marine has more Calcium and Mag than the RC. The Seachem Reef salt Cal is a little on the high side for my liking.

So on the first page the results of the Marine are at 1.026 and numbers are 500 10 1400? For me those numbers are great. I keep my Alk around 9 anyways.

Just trying to make sure i'm reading correctly.
 
Thanks Billy. Only thing i have seen negative on Marine is it had high boron. But seems like this has been fixed?

I keep going back and forth. I guess all in all for the money it seems like RC is tough to beat. I would probably switch if the price was the same. Guess i gotta ask myself is Seachem Marine $5 a bucket better than RC and is Seachem Reef salt $8 better. I hate decisions:)
 
OK, I did a water change tonight with my first batch of Seachem Reef.

I started it mixing two days ago - heater at 79 and Rio 2100 pump in a Brute 34. Prepared about 15 gallons. Tested today before using it and at 35ppt I got

alk 5dKH on API and 2mq/L on Seachem
mg 1065 on Seachem
ca 460 mq/L on API

Not particularly happy with that.
 
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