A General Guide to Salt Mixes

[Finsky]

RO water vs tap water for Reef Crystals

RO water vs tap water for Reef Crystals

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.

Thank you Randy.

I went to the Fred Meyers Grocery store and purchased a gallon container of "Certified Distilled Drinking Water" for $1.00 which says it orginates from the Portland Water System and Prepared by:

Activated Charcoal, Reverse Osmosis, De-ionization, Steam Distrilled Plus Micro Filtration and Sodium free with mineral content less than 1 ppm. Ozone protected for Freshness Plus Purity?

STORE IN A COOL PLACE is stamped on the jug.

I wanted a gallon container with a tight fitting lid to mix my replacement water with the Kalkwasser from Seachem I received today. I am still leaning towards mixing 1/2 a teaspoon per gallon until I see through daily testing what my levels are for calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and pH levels.

The Seachem Kalkwasser directions say to mix one teaspoon of Kalkwasser per gallon unless using "Pure" water which then requires two teaspoons to reach a supersaturated state?

If I was to use this $1.00 per gallon of this Distilled Water instead of my treated tap water for my 12 gallon 10% water changes it would cost me $50 a month on water plus about five gallons of the top off for an additional $20 per month on water for a total monthly replacement water cost of $70.:eek1:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The water is likely fine, but expensive and hence the reason many folks do their own RO/DI. The only concern would be if the steam distilling was condensed on copper pipes, in which cases there can be too much copper.

 

[Finsky]

Replacement water

Replacement water

Thanks Randy.

I used one teaspoon of the Seachem Kalkwasser with the gallon and used most of it to top off. My calculations are a gallon mixed this way would add about 4 ppm calcium. Its main effect was to raise the pH a bit after I topped off last night. It is now 8.01 in the early morning which will rise up to around 8.3 after the metal halides have been on for a while in the afternoon.

Our apartment maintenance manager installed a new faucet on the kitchen sink which is smaller and my python is too big for it.

I am not sure what if any RO/DI system would work with this "mini" faucet.?

Also, I cannot use the kitchen sink all day long even if I could find a system to work with this faucet. I could possibly make my water overnight.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sounds like it is going as expected.

Yes, it may be hard to hook up RO/DI to the plumbing in an apartment.

 

[RBU1]

OK well overall I am happy with the IO Rc..... My only complaint is the brown crap that is left on my 50 gallon drum...... Whats the deal???? I think Randy said its vitamins...... I am going to call IO to see what they say................

 

[Finsky]

I have been using Instant Ocean for a year and a half and Reef Crystals for two years. I used to buy by the 160 gallon bucket and now I buy the 200 gallon boxes with four 50 gallon bags and just add two bags into one of my half dozen plastic buckets.

I have never seen any "brown stuff" and I have even left a bit in the plastic bucket before adding two more 50 gallon bags. I decided to clean out the plastic bucket each time I use up the two 50 gallon bags. I also used to hand mix my 12 gallons of replacement water before I started to mix my batches with a 400 gph powerhead in a 20 gallon Rubbermaid Brute container which I wipe clean with a white towel after rinsing.

I am wondering whether I got left out or something with all these "brown stuff" findings?

 

[Aquarist007]

I have been using Instant Ocean for a year and a half and Reef Crystals for two years. I used to buy by the 160 gallon bucket and now I buy the 200 gallon boxes with four 50 gallon bags and just add two bags into one of my half dozen plastic buckets.

I have never seen any "brown stuff" and I have even left a bit in the plastic bucket before adding two more 50 gallon bags. I decided to clean out the plastic bucket each time I use up the two 50 gallon bags. I also used to hand mix my 12 gallons of replacement water before I started to mix my batches with a 400 gph powerhead in a 20 gallon Rubbermaid Brute container which I wipe clean with a white towel after rinsing.

I am wondering whether I got left out or something with all these "brown stuff" findings?

don't take it personal Finsky---not having the brown precipitation

I go through the 1 200gal box every two weeks or less--the large 45 gal brute container that I keep in the garage for daily servicing has alot of the brown precipitate lining it---doesn't appear in the salt water or bother any of the tanks I service.

 

[Finsky]

Brown Stuff

Brown Stuff

don't take it personal Finsky---not having the brown precipitation

I go through the 1 200gal box every two weeks or less--the large 45 gal brute container that I keep in the garage for daily servicing has alot of the brown precipitate lining it---doesn't appear in the salt water or bother any of the tanks I service.

No problem. I have seen the occasional very small brown piece in the bottom of the salt container, although not a mix residue.

 

[Finsky]

Brown Stuff

Brown Stuff

don't take it personal Finsky---not having the brown precipitation

I go through the 1 200gal box every two weeks or less--the large 45 gal brute container that I keep in the garage for daily servicing has alot of the brown precipitate lining it---doesn't appear in the salt water or bother any of the tanks I service.

Very interesting. I mix up to seven days before I clean out the mixing container. Must take a longer period of time to build up?

 

[RBU1]

Well the fact that I use a white 50 gallon barrel probably is why I can see it so much. Everytime I make saltwater it leaves a brown film. The water is clear but a brown oily film is on the bucket. I think Randy said it was the vitamins??? I called IO and was really not impressed with the response. She basically said I should clean my bucket with vinegar and that would keep it from happening....I have a good fealing if I waste my time cleaning the bucket with vinegar the next time I make saltwater it will be brown again. As long as my tank stays clear and the parameters are in check I will keep using the RC. Does everyone test their fresh made saltwater before using it? I usually only test specific gravity....What are your thoughts?

 

[tmz]

I test it before using it from time to time. A wipe with vinegar and a rinse is a good idea for any plastic container you may use to remove residual chemicals from the manufacturing process. It wont, however, stop the brown residue in my experience.

 

[Posidion]

nope vinegar is a waste of time if your trying to stop the crud from coming back. i do however wipe my vats out about once a month and occasionaly a little vinegar helps to get the tougher build up off the container.

 

[Finsky]

Transitioning from Reef Crystals to Instant Ocean

Transitioning from Reef Crystals to Instant Ocean

Sounds like it is going as expected.

Yes, it may be hard to hook up RO/DI to the plumbing in an apartment.

Randy:

I still have three 200 lb boxes of Reef Crystals.

How would one go about transitioning to Instant Ocean and what effects would this have on one's tank inhabitants, LPS's seven goinioporas and six lobed brain corals, one SPS Montiopora Vase Coral (the one which is flat), one SPS Montipora Encrusting Coral and two red rose bubble tip anemones along with tangs(including Clown Tang), angels (including Regal Angel) and a couple large palythoa polyp rocks.

Would I have to add an Essential Elements additive or any other additives my tank inhabitants may have gotten used to with Reef Crystals?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I think you can just switch over cold turkey. I would not use any special trace elements just because you switch from RC to IO. You might monitor calcium and magnesium since they are a bit lower. I boost my starting IO with Dowflake and MAG flake.

I also add iron for macroalgae and silicate for sponges, but RC would be no different in that regard.

 

[Finsky]

Reef Crystals transition to Instant Ocean

Reef Crystals transition to Instant Ocean

I think you can just switch over cold turkey. I would not use any special trace elements just because you switch from RC to IO. You might monitor calcium and magnesium since they are a bit lower. I boost my starting IO with Dowflake and MAG flake.

I also add iron for macroalgae and silicate for sponges, but RC would be no different in that regard.

Thank you Randy.:artist:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck.

 

[ECFENCING]

Anyone have results for the ESV salt?

I too had a brown residue from RC. Since I've started
using RC I've developed a diatom outbreak in my tank but I can't attribute that to RC. Probably due to MB7 and vodka.

I switched from RC to IO cold turkey with no noticeable effects on my corals

I supplement a bit more by adding mag and calcium

I do change my filters regularly.

Was curious about the esv salt

 

[frank40]

I am currently switching over to the ESV salt, it mixes as advertised clear in 5 minutes, no residue leftover. they claim that the salt is ready to use within 15 minutes but i still mixed it overnight. the salt requires a little more work because of the added steps of mixing the different components I have used ESV products since they came into business and both Richard and Bob are stand-up guys. i am a believer.

 

[ECFENCING]

Frank40 thanks for your comments.....I'm trying to get it through Jim and Russ at saltwatercritters.com and will give it a try

 

[rayjay]

I boost my starting IO with Dowflake and MAG flake. .

Are you STILL boosting even with the I.O. having higher levels now?