new saltwater

[jettster]

what kind of salt do you all use, do you all adjust cal. alk.ect before you put it in display or do you add and adjust in display tank

 

[fishdoc11]

I use Instant Ocean or Reef Crystals or a mix of both preferably. I don't adjust anything before water changes but that ceartainly doesn't hurt.

Chris

 

[jettster]

I use instant ocean also and haven't been adjusting anything but since doing major water changes I have been fighting alk. just wandering if I was doing it backwards

 

[ct_vol]

I use IO or RC too... I use a calcium reactor to keep my Ca level up...

 

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12843982#post12843982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jettster
I use instant ocean also and haven't been adjusting anything but since doing major water changes I have been fighting alk. just wandering if I was doing it backwards

What do you mean by fighting alk? Is it too high.....too low?

 

[goreefer]

I also use IO. Have for years.
I do check CA and Alk, but usually I need to increase the CA, but the alk is usually around 10.

 

[cee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12845687#post12845687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goreefer
... but usually I need to increase the CA...

That why my "secret" blend is IO/RC/Oceanic/SeaChem in equal parts. SeaChem for the borate alkalinity to help the pH a bit and Oceanic to boost the Ca/Mg.

 

[jettster]

alk too low around 5 now around 7 after buffer

 

[lotsoftats]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12845872#post12845872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cee
That why my "secret" blend is IO/RC/Oceanic/SeaChem in equal parts. SeaChem for the borate alkalinity to help the pH a bit and Oceanic to boost the Ca/Mg.

care to share that"secret"? what are the readings on it after mixing? sounds interesting

 

[cee]

The secret is in the blend, nothing further to share. Don't remember the concentrations you end up with, though.

 

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12847983#post12847983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jettster
alk too low around 5 now around 7 after buffer

What do you use to keep alk and calcium up? Taking your alk up 2 points at a time isn't the best for the tank. Your problem probably doesn't have anything to do with the salt you are using.

Chris

 

[jettster]

I use seachem marine buffer and I didn't raise it 2 points at a time it was over a week. My alk has been alright for a year with hard water but when I switched to ro falk started to fall and I didn't catch it fast enough and let it get to 5 before I started to dose I also have about 3 inches of aragonite sand about a year old do you think I need to replace some of it for buffering capacity

 

[fishdoc11]

I would suggest using a 2 part additive. Several companies make good ones; Kent, TLF, DT's, ESV etc..... You can also make your own:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm
It is harder to get the proper Ca part these days though:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1271282&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
FWIW I have used the homeade type for years now with good results. Lots of others have as well.
hth, Chris