Reef Crystals results....
- Thread starter EvilE
- Start date
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Wide spread may be a little stretch.
When you consider how many people use this product, the percentage of bad batches still looks pretty small to me.
When you consider how many people use this product, the percentage of bad batches still looks pretty small to me.
jglackin
New member
I am not having problems with RC. I actually like the stuff. I have very stable parameters and I am showing nice growth in my corals. The brown foam has always concerened me and then, when the entire barrel grew this brown film, it really bothered me. The water actually turned light brown. I am comfortable that this is a harmless bacteria and poses no risk to my tank Heck, it may be beneficial. In my last batch, I decided to use the brown water for a small WC. I drained my sump (25 gallons) and filled it with the brown water. I then turned on my skimmer and let it skim the water. The water was crystal clear in less than 5 minutes.
CJ
Premium Member
Well, I finally got around to testing my stored Reef Crystals salt water bin.
at 35ppt, Ca=430, alkalinity= 7.7 and Magnesium=1125.
According to Billybeau1's testing, the Ca is okay but Alkalinity should be around 12 and Magnesium around 1260.
My tank tests @ Ca=385, alk=8.3 and Mag=1100
Normal readings for my tank usually hover around Ca= 425, alk=10 and Magnesium is never below 1300 and usually quite a bit more. I don't know what to think. I usually use 30ml of Kent's 2 part per day for 110 gallons of water.
I tried to call Instant Ocean today but nobody's home.
at 35ppt, Ca=430, alkalinity= 7.7 and Magnesium=1125.
According to Billybeau1's testing, the Ca is okay but Alkalinity should be around 12 and Magnesium around 1260.
My tank tests @ Ca=385, alk=8.3 and Mag=1100
Normal readings for my tank usually hover around Ca= 425, alk=10 and Magnesium is never below 1300 and usually quite a bit more. I don't know what to think. I usually use 30ml of Kent's 2 part per day for 110 gallons of water.
I tried to call Instant Ocean today but nobody's home.
jglackin
New member
Love it.
It is fully automated, with sunrise, sunset, 28 day lunar phase, adjusts for northern or southern hemisphere solar schedule. It puts out no heat, uses very little electricity, and it pumps out a lot of PAR without a lot of blinding light. My tank is 36" deep and I have growth all the way to the sand bed. I have absolutely no regrets.
They have the I4 out now that has even more PAR. I really don't need it, but I am going to be upgrading as soon as an upgrade is available. I am a gadget geek and I cannot deal with having an outdated model.
It is fully automated, with sunrise, sunset, 28 day lunar phase, adjusts for northern or southern hemisphere solar schedule. It puts out no heat, uses very little electricity, and it pumps out a lot of PAR without a lot of blinding light. My tank is 36" deep and I have growth all the way to the sand bed. I have absolutely no regrets.
They have the I4 out now that has even more PAR. I really don't need it, but I am going to be upgrading as soon as an upgrade is available. I am a gadget geek and I cannot deal with having an outdated model.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
CJ, I'm not sure what to make of your alkalinity, but mag tests usually have a lot of test noise.
What alkalinity test kit did you use ?
What alkalinity test kit did you use ?
icereefer
Premium Member
I have used IO and RC for years IO has been my choice since the early 80's like any synthetic salt mix it's man made that in itself tells me if it's consistency your wanting it should be achieved in the home to make sure it's what your looking for.
I have used many brands over the years and to find a full proof produce in a manufactored produce good luck finding it.
I have always had to do some kind of tweeking to any salt I've used but as far as salt brands IO has never steered me wrong. and for the price of having to buy the high buck salt mixes if I have to tweek alittle to so be it if there was a full proof salt mix out there were I didn't have to worry about making sure every thing was exactly perfect What fun would that be, I have my tank because it's my hobby if everything was perfect with my tank it's just me but over time it would get borring. LOL.
I have used many brands over the years and to find a full proof produce in a manufactored produce good luck finding it.
I have always had to do some kind of tweeking to any salt I've used but as far as salt brands IO has never steered me wrong. and for the price of having to buy the high buck salt mixes if I have to tweek alittle to so be it if there was a full proof salt mix out there were I didn't have to worry about making sure every thing was exactly perfect What fun would that be, I have my tank because it's my hobby if everything was perfect with my tank it's just me but over time it would get borring. LOL.
The random differences you get with the same kit (or different kit) testing the same water over and over on different days or with different operators. In a sense, their imperfections.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Well, the Salifert alks (if anything) have been reading high for the most part. You have the opposite problem.
I would pick up an API and double check before you do anything. They are only about 7 bucks and surprisingly accurate and easy to use.
Or at least take a sample of your water to your LFS and let them check it. to be sure.
I would pick up an API and double check before you do anything. They are only about 7 bucks and surprisingly accurate and easy to use.
Or at least take a sample of your water to your LFS and let them check it. to be sure.
CJ
Premium Member
I do have an API test kit and it agrees with the Salifert, 8 drops. I like the API for phosphate and nitrate but prefer using the Salifert for dKH because it gives results in 10th.
In my seven years of reefkeeping, I never tested the water in the bin. Didn't have a problem in the tank so why worry. So, I'm wondering, since I let the water sit in the bin between water changes, I always like to have some on hand in case of an emergency, is it possible that the dKH is driven down by CO2 in the air or whatever? What I'm leading to is that perhaps my two part is the problem and not the salt, possible? I recently started new bottles, but I can't actually pin it to when my problems started. Just a thought.
Next water change, I'll try to draw down most of the bin so I can start new. I also have an older bucket of salt that I could use and see what happens with the dKH.
Thanks for your input, Billybeau1.
In my seven years of reefkeeping, I never tested the water in the bin. Didn't have a problem in the tank so why worry. So, I'm wondering, since I let the water sit in the bin between water changes, I always like to have some on hand in case of an emergency, is it possible that the dKH is driven down by CO2 in the air or whatever? What I'm leading to is that perhaps my two part is the problem and not the salt, possible? I recently started new bottles, but I can't actually pin it to when my problems started. Just a thought.
Next water change, I'll try to draw down most of the bin so I can start new. I also have an older bucket of salt that I could use and see what happens with the dKH.
Thanks for your input, Billybeau1.
jglackin
New member
Well, I mixed another 35 gallons of saltwater today. I made up the RO water and have had it aerated in my barrel for a couple of days. The water has been crystal clear. After the last brown batch, I bleached out the barrel and cleaned it out. I added salt this morning and ran out the door. When I got home this afternoon, the water was brown. This is *not* from my mixing barrel. This has got to be from the salt mix.
I am going to test this in the lab tomorrow and see how it tests out. Stay tuned.
I am going to test this in the lab tomorrow and see how it tests out. Stay tuned.
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