Results of Oceanic Salt Mix tests?
- Thread starter OneReef
- Start date
crpeck
Premium Member
During the couple of years I used only Oceanic, I always struggled with Calcium being too high and Alk being too low. Using the 2 part suppliments, I did best dosing 2 parts B to 1 part A rather than equal of both as the directions said.
I tried some other salts, but haven't been able to get back into a routine. Am currently using the 1/2 Oceanic/ 1/2 Instant Ocean recipe and it seems to be working. Oceanic is high in Ca but IO is low so supposedly it equals out. We'll see.
With just Oceanic, I consistently got Ca measurements that were off the scale ... i.e. over 500 if I dosed 2 part additives for any length of time equally.
Just my anecdotal experience ... not trying to say its that way for everyone.
I tried some other salts, but haven't been able to get back into a routine. Am currently using the 1/2 Oceanic/ 1/2 Instant Ocean recipe and it seems to be working. Oceanic is high in Ca but IO is low so supposedly it equals out. We'll see.
With just Oceanic, I consistently got Ca measurements that were off the scale ... i.e. over 500 if I dosed 2 part additives for any length of time equally.
Just my anecdotal experience ... not trying to say its that way for everyone.
neuroslicer
Old School Reefer
Schigara, how old is that Salifert calcium test kit you're using? Oceanic is known for being high in calcium, which is why I ask. I mixed up a batch of Oceanic this morning for my frag tank, and here's what I got:
salinity 34 ppt
Ca++ 545
KH 9.9
Mg++ 1320
pH 8.4
ORP 440
I've never been concerned about the high calcium, because in two or three days my coral take it down to normal levels anyway, and then I resume adding equal doses of Ca++ and carbonate solutions (in combination with kalkwasser depending on the pH of my tank).
The above ions were measured with Salifert test kits as well.
FYI, I wouldn't trust Pinpoint pH electrodes further than I could toss one. I've had two in the past, and within 3 - 6 months both started giving me spurious readings. And I clean them every 4 - 6 weeks with weak HCl and follow up with a two point calibration protocol (pH 7 and pH 10).
www.omega.com is a reputable laboratory supply company, and they have an economy gel pH electrode for $32 (part # PHE-1304). They also have other types of electrodes and calibration fluids too.
best fishes,
Neuro
salinity 34 ppt
Ca++ 545
KH 9.9
Mg++ 1320
pH 8.4
ORP 440
I've never been concerned about the high calcium, because in two or three days my coral take it down to normal levels anyway, and then I resume adding equal doses of Ca++ and carbonate solutions (in combination with kalkwasser depending on the pH of my tank).
The above ions were measured with Salifert test kits as well.
FYI, I wouldn't trust Pinpoint pH electrodes further than I could toss one. I've had two in the past, and within 3 - 6 months both started giving me spurious readings. And I clean them every 4 - 6 weeks with weak HCl and follow up with a two point calibration protocol (pH 7 and pH 10).
www.omega.com is a reputable laboratory supply company, and they have an economy gel pH electrode for $32 (part # PHE-1304). They also have other types of electrodes and calibration fluids too.
best fishes,
Neuro
schigara
New member
I have 3 right now.
One is about 3 years old
2nd is about 6 months old
3rd is less than a month old.
They all read +/- 20ppm
Do you guys shuffle the salt as soon as you open it the first time mix it back up?
I always shuffle a new bucket back and forth between 2 other empty buckets.
One is about 3 years old
2nd is about 6 months old
3rd is less than a month old.
They all read +/- 20ppm
Do you guys shuffle the salt as soon as you open it the first time mix it back up?
I always shuffle a new bucket back and forth between 2 other empty buckets.
neuroslicer
Old School Reefer
No, I just scoop it out. I keep the lid tight in between uses so it doesn't get moist and harden up. Odd that you're salt has a history of reading normal calcium levels.
