A General Guide to Salt Mixes

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15648396#post15648396 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Adkins.its
Currently I am using RC and I am doing a 4.5gal WC in my biocube 14gal every week. Im also not dosing anything. Just top offs daily.

My question is, could there be any negative effects doing this?

I am running a 150w Phoenix and have many sps. I also have the center chamber full of chaeto with a 24w 10k pc on a reverse light cycle mounted behind chamber vertically.

All questions comments and suggestions greatly appreciated!

In weekly water changes---no
RC parameters for alk cal and mag are really good--if you are doing weekly water changes in the cube you should not have to dose anything.
This is the pay off for using an excellent salt mixture.

Personally however I do not like running a dkH of more than 11.5.

 

[Adkins.its]

That is the most shock my tank gets. My tank sits about 10 dkh all the time. I think that RC is about 13 when made up? Not sure though.

But I should be able to get great results with this method right?

 

[Canarygirl]

well, am I mistaken Billy, or have you retested the IO and posted results on first page? Ca 400, Alk 11, Mg 1320 or 1350? These seem like numbers that would make most people happy? If you did retest, how did it dissolve for you?

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15651379#post15651379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Adkins.its
That is the most shock my tank gets. My tank sits about 10 dkh all the time. I think that RC is about 13 when made up? Not sure though.

But I should be able to get great results with this method right?

the comparison is right here

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118

by changing almost a third each week you should be able to keep your parameters steady ----I'm suprised it is not sitting at 13 dkh

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15651810#post15651810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canarygirl
well, am I mistaken Billy, or have you retested the IO and posted results on first page? Ca 400, Alk 11, Mg 1320 or 1350? These seem like numbers that would make most people happy? If you did retest, how did it dissolve for you?

it was mentioned earlier in this thread that IO had not changed their formula. Same as previously tested:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118

 

[Billybeau1]

Aquarium Systems claims to have not changed their formula, but they in fact did. I tested a new batch of IO hence the updated numbers. And yes, if this is what to expect from the new Instant Ocean, many users will be very pleased.

I suspect they just did not want the fanfare or the publicity that comes from changing formulas. They certainly do not need it.

I kinda had the feeling when the formula changed for Reef Crystals that the IO would change as well.

It dissolved just fine and it appears to have less moisture in it than the old IO. I used less salt to get to 35 ppt then the old formula.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15650145#post15650145 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jason2459
I just tested some RC today. 200g mix from DFS bought two weeks ago.

I've had 25g mixing for 44 hours. Just calibrated the refractometer with pinpoint 53mS solution.

Temp 80 Hanna Probe
SG: 35 Refractometer
pH 7.95 Hanna Probe
calcium 480 API
dKH 13 API
Mg: 1470 Salifert]

That's about what I got jason. Thanks for the post.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15651379#post15651379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Adkins.its
That is the most shock my tank gets. My tank sits about 10 dkh all the time. I think that RC is about 13 when made up? Not sure though.

But I should be able to get great results with this method right?

You should be fine Adkins. The alkalinity is just getting consumed so your water change schedule is just right for your tank with what you are doing. You have the best of both worlds. A good salt and no need to supplement. It does not surprise me your tank stays at 10 dkh.

 

[Adkins.its]

Awesome! This was mine line of thinking as well.

Although Im having mixed replies about the amount of water I am changing. Saying that it is too much?

 

[Billybeau1]

I see no problem with your water change regimen. Your changing a little over 30% once weekly. As long as you match the s.g. and the temp as close as possible, you should be ok.

Some might call it overkill, but I say, if you have the time and the money, why not.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15652766#post15652766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Aquarium Systems claims to have not changed their formula, but they in fact did. I tested a new batch of IO hence the updated numbers. And yes, if this is what to expect from the new Instant Ocean, many users will be very pleased.

I suspect they just did not want the fanfare or the publicity that comes from changing formulas. They certainly do not need it.

I kinda had the feeling when the formula changed for Reef Crystals that the IO would change as well.

It dissolved just fine and it appears to have less moisture in it than the old IO. I used less salt to get to 35 ppt then the old formula.

what are the new parameters Billybeau--esp the magnesium which I personally felt was too low.
How do you tell if you are getting the new IO?

This is another thing that ticked me off a little about h2ocean---they posted they changed the formula to get rid of the rusty colour precipiatate yet I must have gotten the old batch by the condition of my brute salt water container

 

[Canarygirl]

what are the new parameters Billybeau--esp the magnesium which I personally felt was too low.

the new parameters for IO are shown on the first post of this thread.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15660806#post15660806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canarygirl
the new parameters for IO are shown on the first post of this thread.

thanks---I obviously didn't read back all 11 pages before posting

 

[kaserpick]

Hey guys, someone may have said something about this before, but I was wondering what everyone's heard about Brightwell's Neo salt mix. How does it test out on the big 3?

 

[HighlandReefer]

This thread has information about the Brightwell Neo Salt Mix:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1677408&highlight=brightwell+salt

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15652766#post15652766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Aquarium Systems claims to have not changed their formula, but they in fact did. I tested a new batch of IO hence the updated numbers. And yes, if this is what to expect from the new Instant Ocean, many users will be very pleased.

I suspect they just did not want the fanfare or the publicity that comes from changing formulas. They certainly do not need it.

I kinda had the feeling when the formula changed for Reef Crystals that the IO would change as well.

It dissolved just fine and it appears to have less moisture in it than the old IO. I used less salt to get to 35 ppt then the old formula.

How can you tell a new bucket of ro from the old bucket(without taking the bucket home and testing it

 

[Hdhuntr01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14656782#post14656782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mray
I just tested a new bucket I received from DFS with the "Now with more calcium" label. At 1.026 SG, calcium was at 470, magnesium at 1350, and alkalinity at 12. I am really liking these numbers.

If you feel those numbers are decent then you would be blown away by testing Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix. How about 580 calcium and 1650 magnesium ????? Of course your test kit might not go that high...

 

[Hdhuntr01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14656782#post14656782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mray
I just tested a new bucket I received from DFS with the "Now with more calcium" label. At 1.026 SG, calcium was at 470, magnesium at 1350, and alkalinity at 12. I am really liking these numbers.

If you feel those numbers are decent then you would be blown away by testing Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix. How about 580 calcium and 1650 magnesium ????? Of course your test kit might not go that high...

 

[SnookSlayer08]

I have a question about tropic marin pro-reef. I really like the numbers it tests to but I heard it's for tanks using a calcium reactor. Is ithat true, would it be ok to use on a tank that I'm dosing 2-part on and not mess up the water chemistry?

 

[mat167]

If the salt tests good for the big three, I wouldn't worry about whether or not you have a calcium reactor. I can't say for sure, but I'd be willing to bet there are a LOT of people using TM Pro on their tanks w/o a Ca reactor