I can't answer for others, but perhaps because it causes all issues like, what was wrong with it before, how do I tell a new one from an "old" one, people returning old ones, my "new" one tests like the old one with my home kit, etc. 
A General Guide to Salt Mixes
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
Billybeau1
Premium Member
For hobby grade kits, I like Salifert and API for Calcium, Salifert and API for Alkalinity and Salifert for magnesium. But thats just me.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
I can't answer for others, but perhaps because it causes all issues like, what was wrong with it before, how do I tell a new one from an "old" one, people returning old ones, my "new" one tests like the old one with my home kit, etc.
I suspect you are right on the money my friend.
Finsky
New member
Mixing salt and test kits
Mixing salt and test kits
I really do not know what to think of the cold water precipitates calcium? I do not think this has ever happened to me although I do not use very cold water around 40 to 50 degrees?
About two hours ago, I added 12 gallons of slightly cold water, approximately 65 to 70 degrees, to my Rubbermaid 20 gallon Roughneck along with one 400 gph powerhead for next weekends 10% water change. I then added 13 half cups of Reef Crystals. I just lifted the lid and the water was crystal clear after two hours of circulation?
I plan on putting a couple of air stones in the container next Friday or Saturday although I am wondering whether I should heat the water overnight to 79 degrees with my 150 watt heater to have the temperature fairly close to the tank's temperature before the water change. I will also have to adjust the replacement water to my tanks 1.024 specific gravity or 49.5 ms reading. It might be better to adjust the replacement water's salinity after it temperature has been raised to tank levels?
I have used the Red Sea Pro Calcium test kit for as long as I can remember. Even though it takes a bit of time, I think it gives good numbers(1. add five drops of regent A to 5ml of aquarium water 2. mix a small measuring spoon of powder regent B 3. draw in 1 ml of titrate regent C in a syringe and add until the test sample turns from pink to blue). I also purchased the Red Sea Alkalinity Test kit and it was giving numbers equivalent to the Instant Ocean Alkalinity Test kit.:reading:
Mixing salt and test kits
I really do not know what to think of the cold water precipitates calcium? I do not think this has ever happened to me although I do not use very cold water around 40 to 50 degrees?
About two hours ago, I added 12 gallons of slightly cold water, approximately 65 to 70 degrees, to my Rubbermaid 20 gallon Roughneck along with one 400 gph powerhead for next weekends 10% water change. I then added 13 half cups of Reef Crystals. I just lifted the lid and the water was crystal clear after two hours of circulation?
I plan on putting a couple of air stones in the container next Friday or Saturday although I am wondering whether I should heat the water overnight to 79 degrees with my 150 watt heater to have the temperature fairly close to the tank's temperature before the water change. I will also have to adjust the replacement water to my tanks 1.024 specific gravity or 49.5 ms reading. It might be better to adjust the replacement water's salinity after it temperature has been raised to tank levels?
I have used the Red Sea Pro Calcium test kit for as long as I can remember. Even though it takes a bit of time, I think it gives good numbers(1. add five drops of regent A to 5ml of aquarium water 2. mix a small measuring spoon of powder regent B 3. draw in 1 ml of titrate regent C in a syringe and add until the test sample turns from pink to blue). I also purchased the Red Sea Alkalinity Test kit and it was giving numbers equivalent to the Instant Ocean Alkalinity Test kit.:reading:
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Calcium carbonate is actually a bit more soluble in colder water, not in warmer water.
Aquarist007
New member
I've been using the new IO for a while now. I still dose with 90 ml of two part bionics daily. My magnesium has stabilized out now at about 1350.
Calcium is around 400 and the alk is around 10.0 dkH. pH however has been slowly rising and is now 8.53. Is this do to the new IO salt mix and should I be concerned.
Calcium is around 400 and the alk is around 10.0 dkH. pH however has been slowly rising and is now 8.53. Is this do to the new IO salt mix and should I be concerned.
Aquarist007
New member
Finsky
New member
I usually run a pH from 7.8 to 8.30. For my tank this would be high. I have to deferr to someone more knowledgeable on pH. Randy?
I used Reef Buffer after my weekly 12 gallon 10% water changes which lower my pH by
.2. It has presently gone to 8.28 when I arrived home two hours ago and is now at 8.20 with the actinics on and nighttime starting. Yesterday evening it was 8.0 and I buffered with Seachem Reef Buffer after my 12 gallon water change on Sunday.
I have decided to start using Kalkwasser with my top off water with Seachem Kalkwasser. I went to Walmart and they did not have Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime. The brother of the LFS owner uses Home Depot's 100% Sweet Soil lime although I decided not to follow that path.
My tank is open with a Marineland Pro lighting fixture on two legs 2 1/2 inches above the aquarium frame and 4 1/4 inches above the water. I have to replace 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon of top off water each day. I have thought it might be safer starting with 1/2 a teaspoon of Kalkwasser per gallon for my top off water and measure my alkalinity, calcium, and pH every day when I start topping off with the Kalkwasser. Does this sound safe?
Also, I was wondering whether Reef Cental has a salt conversion table or calculator to go from mS to specific gravity readings?
I used Reef Buffer after my weekly 12 gallon 10% water changes which lower my pH by
.2. It has presently gone to 8.28 when I arrived home two hours ago and is now at 8.20 with the actinics on and nighttime starting. Yesterday evening it was 8.0 and I buffered with Seachem Reef Buffer after my 12 gallon water change on Sunday.
I have decided to start using Kalkwasser with my top off water with Seachem Kalkwasser. I went to Walmart and they did not have Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime. The brother of the LFS owner uses Home Depot's 100% Sweet Soil lime although I decided not to follow that path.
My tank is open with a Marineland Pro lighting fixture on two legs 2 1/2 inches above the aquarium frame and 4 1/4 inches above the water. I have to replace 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon of top off water each day. I have thought it might be safer starting with 1/2 a teaspoon of Kalkwasser per gallon for my top off water and measure my alkalinity, calcium, and pH every day when I start topping off with the Kalkwasser. Does this sound safe?
Also, I was wondering whether Reef Cental has a salt conversion table or calculator to go from mS to specific gravity readings?
Finsky
New member
Randy:
I just read your article and looked at your chart on salinity. I calibrated my Pinpoint Salinity monitor with Pinpoint 53 mS, 1.0264, 35 ppt calibration fluid about a week or two ago. I was told coral farm at Drs Foster and Smith keeps their specific gravity at 1.024 and I followed the Pinpoint Chart and have had my salinity at 49.5/1.024. Their chart also has 53 mS equal to 1.026 specific gravity and 35 ppt. I keep my aquarium around 79to 80 degrees.
Do you think I should bring my salinity back up to 53 mS/1.0264 specific gravity /35 ppt and will this measurement provide enough safety for rising salinity due to evaporation which was the reason given by Drs Foster and Smith? What is a safe time frame to change the salinity from 49.5 to 53 mS?
I just read your article and looked at your chart on salinity. I calibrated my Pinpoint Salinity monitor with Pinpoint 53 mS, 1.0264, 35 ppt calibration fluid about a week or two ago. I was told coral farm at Drs Foster and Smith keeps their specific gravity at 1.024 and I followed the Pinpoint Chart and have had my salinity at 49.5/1.024. Their chart also has 53 mS equal to 1.026 specific gravity and 35 ppt. I keep my aquarium around 79to 80 degrees.
Do you think I should bring my salinity back up to 53 mS/1.0264 specific gravity /35 ppt and will this measurement provide enough safety for rising salinity due to evaporation which was the reason given by Drs Foster and Smith? What is a safe time frame to change the salinity from 49.5 to 53 mS?
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Aquarist007
New member
Is this do to the new IO salt mix and should I be concerned.
I wouldn't be concerned.
I wouldn't be concerned.
Do you think I should bring my salinity back up to 53 mS/1.0264 specific gravity /35 ppt and will this measurement provide enough safety for rising salinity due to evaporation which was the reason given by Drs Foster and Smith? What is a safe time frame to change the salinity from 49.5 to 53 mS?
I doubt you'll notice a difference one way or the other, but I'd raise it on my system.
How much do you let evaporate before replacing it?
I doubt you'll notice a difference one way or the other, but I'd raise it on my system.
How much do you let evaporate before replacing it?
Aquarist007
New member
Is this do to the new IO salt mix and should I be concerned.
I wouldn't be concerned.
thanks Randy--just trying to figure out the chemistry
Would the increased mag level contribute to higher pH readings?
No, magnesium itself should not impact pH, unless it has allowed an alteration to the average alkalinity. It's probably testing error. 
Aquarist007
New member
Finsky
New member
Evaporation and salinity increase
Evaporation and salinity increase
I usually top off my water with about 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon on a daily basis as soon as I arrive home from work. I have an open top with the Marineland Pro lighting cabinet 4 1/2 inches above the water and 2 1/2 inches above the aquarium frame because of the heat from the light although I do not think Marineland generates as much heat as the lighting system I replaced which practically covered the top of the tank with not much escape for heat. The Marineland has a nice fan system and sits up alot higher than my old lighting system. I use a wet microfiber cloth then a dry one to wipe the plexiglass actinic bulb covers and the glass metal halide covers at least every day or two.
I went on vacation for a week this past September when I was keeping the tank water at 35 ppt and I had my LFS owner come in and top off and feed every two days with the tank's creatures looking brighter when I returned. I think the intial evaporation after topping the tank off to full level is higher the first day than the second and so on.
I am now at about 52.0 mS and I do not notice any problems in the tank so far on my way to 53.0 mS.
Evaporation and salinity increase
I usually top off my water with about 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon on a daily basis as soon as I arrive home from work. I have an open top with the Marineland Pro lighting cabinet 4 1/2 inches above the water and 2 1/2 inches above the aquarium frame because of the heat from the light although I do not think Marineland generates as much heat as the lighting system I replaced which practically covered the top of the tank with not much escape for heat. The Marineland has a nice fan system and sits up alot higher than my old lighting system. I use a wet microfiber cloth then a dry one to wipe the plexiglass actinic bulb covers and the glass metal halide covers at least every day or two.
I went on vacation for a week this past September when I was keeping the tank water at 35 ppt and I had my LFS owner come in and top off and feed every two days with the tank's creatures looking brighter when I returned. I think the intial evaporation after topping the tank off to full level is higher the first day than the second and so on.
I am now at about 52.0 mS and I do not notice any problems in the tank so far on my way to 53.0 mS.
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Evaporating 3/4 gallon on a 120 is not going to raise the salinity too much to worry about. Maybe 35 ppt to 35.3 ppt.
Dave's Reef
New member
TM & TMP blend for ULNS/Zeovit, anyone tried it?
TM & TMP blend for ULNS/Zeovit, anyone tried it?
Hi guys,
I'm running a 150Gallon Zeovit reef and was interested in trying this combo as my salt mix.
Tropic Marin (regular mix) added with Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt. I've been a long time TM & TMP user and when beginning my Zeovit adventure 9 months ago switched for the first time in over 10 years to a new Salt, the Reefer's Best brand, thinking that it would be optimal for Zeo being that is was created for it in the first place.
However, once I began using it I noticed that I was getting higher than optimal dkh of 10 & 11 per batch. I went through two boxes before going back to the TMP and recently did the math and figured that blending the TM & TMP together would give the ideal UNLS parameters!
This is how it comes out if anyone's interested:
Alk= 9.25
Ca= 412.5
Mag= 1305
Looks pretty good although the dkh is still just a tad on the high side for ULNS's. Still I think this is a good compromise/blend and was just curious if anyone else had tried or thought of it previously?
Interested to hear back from others as to their thoughts, experience or other input as to this mix for ULNS/Zeo systems....
Thanks,
Dave
TM & TMP blend for ULNS/Zeovit, anyone tried it?
Hi guys,
I'm running a 150Gallon Zeovit reef and was interested in trying this combo as my salt mix.
Tropic Marin (regular mix) added with Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt. I've been a long time TM & TMP user and when beginning my Zeovit adventure 9 months ago switched for the first time in over 10 years to a new Salt, the Reefer's Best brand, thinking that it would be optimal for Zeo being that is was created for it in the first place.
However, once I began using it I noticed that I was getting higher than optimal dkh of 10 & 11 per batch. I went through two boxes before going back to the TMP and recently did the math and figured that blending the TM & TMP together would give the ideal UNLS parameters!
This is how it comes out if anyone's interested:
Alk= 9.25
Ca= 412.5
Mag= 1305
Looks pretty good although the dkh is still just a tad on the high side for ULNS's. Still I think this is a good compromise/blend and was just curious if anyone else had tried or thought of it previously?
Interested to hear back from others as to their thoughts, experience or other input as to this mix for ULNS/Zeo systems....
Thanks,
Dave
