A General Guide to Salt Mixes

I use Instant Ocean and bump up the calcium and mag. at each water change. This is the cheapest option and the parameters as far as impurties are very good in IO. I use the Dowflake, Epsom salts and Magflakes to bump the parameters up of the IO. Randy does the same thing. ;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15497344#post15497344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HighlandReefer
I use Instant Ocean and bump up the calcium and mag. at each water change. This is the cheapest option and the parameters as far as impurties are very good in IO. I use the Dowflake, Epsom salts and Magflakes to bump the parameters up of the IO. Randy does the same thing. ;)
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I think that is a good idea in hindsight Highlandreefer. I have used the h2oceanic for three months now and I am still using the same amount of two part and epsom salts as I did with IO but it is costing me a heck of a lot more.
I have been able to stretch out my water changes and everything is thriving. Its been six weeks now since a water change.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15482744#post15482744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cccapt
I've been using Red Sea Coral Pro since it came out. I just picked up a new bucket and it says "new improved formula" and gives #'s for ca, alk and mg. (I'm in work and don't remember what the #'s say, but I think 450 ca, 2.8 - 3.2 meq/l alk and 1320 mg) Has anyone tested the new formula yet?
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That new and improved formula has been out for awhile and is in fact what I tested last year. The reason I got higher calcium numbers is that they based their numbers on mixing at 1.023 and I tested it at 1.0264. Many salt manufacturers base their numbers on lower than 35 ppt. :)
 
I have never tested any batch of RC that was below 420 ppm for calcium.

HR, I think I will retest Instant Ocean to see what it is these days. Even though they still swear their formula has not changed. I am particularly interested in the alk thing I experienced awhile back.

In the near future I am going to test Brightwells and the new Seachem Auquavitro.

If there is a new salt mix out I have missed, please post and I'll add it to my list. :)
 
Billy

I seen your test results and I see some that change is there a reason why you test them all at a specific gravity and not the gravity specified by the manufacturer

Also was every batch of salt mixed in there container befor the mix

Its also good to add to your test how every salt mix some salt are hard to mix you see every mix the milky water

Good work
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15533443#post15533443 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eggiel
I seen your test results and I see some that change is there a reason why you test them all at a specific gravity and not the gravity specified by the manufacturer
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I'm not speaking for Billy but it is probably because very few of use here on RC maintain our systems at the gravity specified by the manufacturer. Having test results at 1.026 is much more meaningful data than data collected @ 1.023.
 
OH ok so does it mean that if someone wanted to try out a specific salt with the test perfomed by billy
They at least know what the salt will be at 1.026 but not meaning the have to use it at that salinty

Iam I right
 
Tobit is correct. Since we recommend keeping reef tanks at 1.0264 or 35 ppt, this is what I mixed my salts at. S.G. was checked with a refractometer calibrated with Pinpoints 53 mS fluid and verified with a lab grade floating hydrometer.

All salts were thoroughly mixed and made in 2 separate 5 gallon containers using ro/di water testing zero tds.

They were then tested with 5 different brand test kits to ensure accuracy.

My tank generally runs about 1.023 because I have fish only. One does not have to run their tank at 35 ppt if they do not want to. Some successful reef tanks I have seen actually run 1.025 but not any lower that I've seen. :)
 
Yeah thats the S.G. I run at (1.025) in my Reef tank
thats only to keep my parameters close to NSW if i go to 1.026 every parameter will go higher

Thanks for clearing this up
 
This week I bought a 200g box of Reef Crystals from DFS. I mixed 25 gallons at 35 ppt, this was checked with a refractometer calibrated with Pinpoints 53 mS fluid. Water temp 79 degrees.
I tested using a Salifert Alk kit, Salifert Mg Kit, and API Ca kit.
Results:
Ca 420
Mg 1350
Dkh 15.4

My Alk test kit is 6 months old. I have a new one coming this Tuesday and will test again. I tested the Alk during four different times of the day and the results were from 15 to 15.4 dkh.

All salts were thoroughly mixed and made in a 35g rubermaid using ro/di water testing zero tds.
 
Kinda looks like the old formula but maybe it is the new and you just off a little on the calcium. The new Reef Crystals does have higher magnesium. I think your alk number is just test noise and I'm sure the new kit will clear that up. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15511353#post15511353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
That new and improved formula has been out for awhile and is in fact what I tested last year. The reason I got higher calcium numbers is that they based their numbers on mixing at 1.023 and I tested it at 1.0264. Many salt manufacturers base their numbers on lower than 35 ppt. :)
Click to expand...

why do they do that:confused:
 
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