A General Guide to Salt Mixes

[Diveshaman]

Well after adding an extra 1/2 teaspoon of turbo Ca I got my Tropic Marine salt mixed to a SG of 1.024 Ca 436 kH 12 MG 1250 (I plan on adding another 40mL of Kent Tech M daily until Friday to raise slightly higher) I expect by Sat I will have Mg up to 1300 (approx +20 ppm/day) and will let you know the results after the next 25% water change on Sat. I am looking forward to seeing the readings of tank 24 hrs after the water change is completed and will post on Sun. Cheers

 

[tyleratl]

Billy... you are correct. I supplement Alkalinity quite a bit with my Coralife salt. And now I know why .

 

[gig]

I've used Oceanic for many years, the one thing I was aware of was the low Alk. When I make up a batch of new water, does it make sense to add the appropriate amount of baking soda to get the Alk in the 8-10 range?

 

[Diveshaman]

Results of Saturdays 25% water change using the new RO/DI water mixed with Tropic Marine pre balanced to target marks prior to water change.

Here was the main tanks reading prior to water change:
SG 1.025
dkH 10
Ca 398.1
Mg 1350
pH 8.2
ORP 298
79.2 Degrees

RO/DI water with Tropic Marine balanced to following:
SG 1.024
dkH 12
Ca 436
Mg 1300

Results 24hrs after 25% water change:

SG 1.024
dkH 11
Ca 416.9
Mg 1300
pH 8.42
ORP 254
78.3 Degrees

This is a huge and I thank you for the initial results. Corals and fish have always liked water changes before but I think this has made everyone very happy. Less stress, less time to get balanced back to target marks, and not having to add chemical to main tank directly. I will keep tweaking out the quantity of Ca, Mg and dkH added to the fresh RO/DI salt water mix and post you at least the results for Tropic Marine that work for me. Thanks again to everyone on this thread for opening eyes.

 

[EvilE]

so ultimately, what's the best salt?

 

[leoslizards]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13452288#post13452288 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
so ultimately, what's the best salt?

The one in your kitchen that you use for cooking. Give it a try, you'd be amazed!

 

[Diveshaman]

I would say the one that works for you and gets you to the targets you need to be at consistently and cost efficiently.

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13452463#post13452463 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by leoslizards
The one in your kitchen that you use for cooking. Give it a try, you'd be amazed!

really?:eek2: I'll go try it right now!! Thanks!

 

[leoslizards]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13452587#post13452587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
really?:eek2: I'll go try it right now!! Thanks!

Your welcome!

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13447916#post13447916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gig
I've used Oceanic for many years, the one thing I was aware of was the low Alk. When I make up a batch of new water, does it make sense to add the appropriate amount of baking soda to get the Alk in the 8-10 range?

I wouldn't. The alk is not that low in a freshly mixed batch. About 8.5 dkh . You just want to bump it between water changes to keep it above 8.

 

[Diveshaman]

Thanks again billy for the time you put in on this. Much appreciated.

 

[bebereef]

How about a good bottle of wine, sit down and relax!:rollface:
and by the way, this thread is very helpfull, Thank's so much!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12411730#post12411730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Khandurian
Ya know, I have been reading pages upon pages upon pages of how to keep a reef tank. Specific aspects, ratios, temps, etc. etc.

I see the title of this post, and I go, oh good! This will help me! WRONG! I'm still no closer to figuring what salt I want to use and stick with.

Lots of good information in here. It's appreciated. I think my biggest problem is FEAR! So after reading these 14 pages, please, pass the Tylenol!

:rollface:

 

[gig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13453358#post13453358 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
I wouldn't. The alk is not that low in a freshly mixed batch. About 8.5 dkh . You just want to bump it between water changes to keep it above 8.

ok, thanks!

 

[shikhyung]

I use IO, wonder if it's OK to bump the Ca and Mg to the desired level on the fresh mixed for water change? Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sure, that's what I do. I boost it with Dowflake and MAG flake.

I add water then salt then magnesium then calcium.

 

[Diveshaman]

I would strongly recommend. After reading this thread I just did my first water change bumping Ca, kH, and Mg to desired levels. My results after 25% water change were so close to my desired levels I will be doing so from now on. Or at least until I break down and purchase a dosing pump for each Thanks again Billy and Randy for all your help!

 

[Billybeau1]

:thumbsup: I've got one more to add to my list. Just received my little bucket of D-D H₂ocean salt mix. I will test it this week.

 

[heyfredyourhat]

This is what i found on RBS on a local (to me board)

Ca sits @ 440ppm, Alk @ 11dKh. Pretty happy with that right out of the box (no bucket). This is at 1.026

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=45112

 

[Diveshaman]

any idea what the Mg is?

 

[Billybeau1]

I've been very busy at my work lately. I'll hopefully test in a couple of days and report.