A General Guide to Salt Mixes
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
ceci1357
New member
Just my two cents. I use get tanked aquariums salt for ulns systems and it is pretty stable in repeatable measurements. Now that isn't to say that it is beyond error or my testing is lab grade,but it seems to be ok. Billy, don't rain on my parade man, lol, I use zeovit and unless its tuesday when the shuttle comes I,m still from this world.
Apparently they have changed their formula?
As far as how many reported 7.5-8 dkh? - I didn't count.
Why are you suspect of Zeovit site?
http://www.tanktests.co.uk/index.php?target=pages&page_id=salt_water_study gives:
Temperature - 26c
Salinity - 35ppt
pH (Salifert) - 8.50
pH (Pinpoint) - 8.52
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
Phosphate - trace
Potassium - 410ppm
Strontium - 0 - 3ppm
Calcium - 400ppm
Magnesium - 1170ppm
Alkalinity - 13.8Dkh
Temperature - 26c
Salinity - 35ppt
pH (Salifert) - 8.50
pH (Pinpoint) - 8.52
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm
Phosphate - trace
Potassium - 410ppm
Strontium - 0 - 3ppm
Calcium - 400ppm
Magnesium - 1170ppm
Alkalinity - 13.8Dkh
Unfortunately, this was done over 2 years ago.
I just ordered a bucket of CoraLife since I liked the params posted. I especially liked the 9 DKH since that is my new target level. I rolled around the bucket to get it mixed up, and made saltwater at 35PPT measured with a refractometer. My results were...
ALK 13.8 measured with 2 different Salifert kits
Cal >500 salifert
Mag 1350 salifert
The magnesium and calcium were close to what was posted on the sticky, but the Alk was way off. I am a little disappointed with this because I switched to this salt from IO because IO was getting alk of around 12.5.
ALK 13.8 measured with 2 different Salifert kits
Cal >500 salifert
Mag 1350 salifert
The magnesium and calcium were close to what was posted on the sticky, but the Alk was way off. I am a little disappointed with this because I switched to this salt from IO because IO was getting alk of around 12.5.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Yes, IO and RC are a little high in alkalinity. Not a big deal for most as it is just less they have to supplement.
Not sure why you got that high number with Coralife, but I suspect with water changes, your tank should still be around 9 or so.
Let me know what your tanks alkalinity level is after about 3 water changes.
I'll bet you will be close to your target.
Not sure why you got that high number with Coralife, but I suspect with water changes, your tank should still be around 9 or so.
Let me know what your tanks alkalinity level is after about 3 water changes.
I'll bet you will be close to your target.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
The brand Petco sold awhile back was Aquatic Gardens. I don't know if that has changed. It is listed on my Salt Mix chart.
ryshark
Active member
I bought the ESV yesterday. I'm going to make a 25-gallon batch today and I will post my results. I have previously been using Coralife (I always get ALK of 9) and the Calcium is around 550. I decided to try something new because I am going to almost double the size of my water changes from 15 to 25 weekly, and I don't want my Cal readings any higher than they already are from using this salt. I am dosing almost 3x more Alk than Cal with 15gallon weekly water changes in a 180gallon tank.
I really like the numbers which ESV claims and I also like how quickly and clean it is said to mix.
I need to go buy a new larger mixing container today. I have been using a 20-gallon Brute(which is now getting a lot of build up from coralife) and I plan on getting a 32-gallon Brute.
Is there a thread or suggestions on how we should rinse/clean out these trash cans before use? Last time I just sprayed it with the hose and then poured and swirled some RODI water in to rinse out the tap water.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
That's a fine way to clean your salt mix container. If you get calcium carbonate build-up, then you would want to use an acid to remove it. Probably a 10:1 solution of water to muricatic acid.
Randy provides more details in this article:
"What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium?"
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm
Randy doesn't clean his salt mix container often and it looks like this: :lol:
(Mine looks the same way, FWIW).
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There might be a thread somewhere. But for a new container, I've always done the same as you, except that after hosing it out, I wash the insides with vinegar before rinsing with tap water and then RO/DI water. Nice as they are, Brute trash cans aren't intended to hold anything but trash, so I have to assume they are not exactly clean or sterile. The vinegar helps to remove plasticizers and other manufacturing contaminants that are surely on the surface of the plastic. A baking soda solution would also be a good cleaning agent that would not leave any additional, potentially harmful residues behind.
That's a surprise to me;I'd be disappointed too.If it's a Salifert alk test kit ,they do test high more often than not in my experience.
I've used coralife for 8 years. The alk has been consistent around 9.
Finsky
New member
Brute mixing containers
Brute mixing containers
I purchased a 20 gallon Brute and then a 32 gallon Brute for when I do a 20% 24 gallon water change. This is when I wish I had done one size larger with the Brute.
I wish I had gone with a 44 gallon Brute since 24 gallons almost makes my 32 gallon feel a bit top heavy although you can get by since they are so sturdy.
Brute mixing containers
I purchased a 20 gallon Brute and then a 32 gallon Brute for when I do a 20% 24 gallon water change. This is when I wish I had done one size larger with the Brute.
I wish I had gone with a 44 gallon Brute since 24 gallons almost makes my 32 gallon feel a bit top heavy although you can get by since they are so sturdy.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
henrystyle
Member
Buy a $2 gallon of vinegar and let it sit in there overnight.....That crust will come off with ease...That's a fine way to clean your salt mix container. If you get calcium carbonate build-up, then you would want to use an acid to remove it. Probably a 10:1 solution of water to muricatic acid.
Randy provides more details in this article:
"What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium?"
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm
Randy doesn't clean his salt mix container often and it looks like this: :lol:
(Mine looks the same way, FWIW).
jason2459
Well-known member
I think the point was Randy isn't to concerned with the build up.
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Yep,
The vinegar usually works depending on how long I wait to clean it. If not, I use diluted muriatic acid.
The vinegar usually works depending on how long I wait to clean it. If not, I use diluted muriatic acid.
