Salinity, KH and salt?

[LordDarth Bane]

I have been using Reef Crystal salt but quite often their KH is too high at 15dKH and Mg is too low at 1100mg/L with salinity at 35ppt.

I keep the KH of my tank around 8 and I couldn't change too much water everytime as the KH would swing too much.

So I heard TM Pro Reef has lower KH around 8, I recently got a bucket to try. Disappointing. The KH of my bucket is still very high, these are the parameters I tested with salinity at 35ppt.

KH = 13dKH, Ca = 500mg/L, Mg = 1400mg/L. These are with Salifer kits.

Why? Did I get a bad bucket or what? Shall I lower the salinity to 33ppt to make the KH lower?

Any suggestions for salt that has the parameters close to what we actually need? KH 8, Ca 420 and Mg 1300?

 

[Bpb]

Try aquavitro salinity. The folks I know that have used it are getting 8-9 dkh at 35 ppt.


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[Piper27]

Did you make sure the test kit is reading right?

Aquaforest is good besides the mag being 1500, but I don't worry about that too much.

 

[minus9]

Try aquavitro salinity. The folks I know that have used it are getting 8-9 dkh at 35 ppt.


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I really like Salinity. I made the switch 2 1/2 years ago and haven't looked back. Also, I roll the bucket a few times to mix it up, in case of settling. Then, if that isn't enough, I pour the salt into an empty spare bucket, then back again. It's a bit overkill, but it's working for me, plus it's a small work out.:hmm4:

 

[lynchmob3000]

The new fritz pro amazing. Alk tests in at 9 after I mix and it mixes fast, not as fast as aqua forest but 30 mins or so.


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[Potatohead]

I think something is off, TM shouldn't be mixing up around 13, not even close really.

I have the same problem, there aren't many salts that mix in the 7's at 1.026. AF, Red Sea regular and Brightwell I believe are about it.

 

[zsuman101]

hw-marinemix reef salt

 

[Pife]

I have been using Reef Crystal salt but quite often their KH is too high at 15dKH and Mg is too low at 1100mg/L with salinity at 35ppt.

I keep the KH of my tank around 8 and I couldn't change too much water everytime as the KH would swing too much.

So I heard TM Pro Reef has lower KH around 8, I recently got a bucket to try. Disappointing. The KH of my bucket is still very high, these are the parameters I tested with salinity at 35ppt.

KH = 13dKH, Ca = 500mg/L, Mg = 1400mg/L. These are with Salifer kits.

Why? Did I get a bad bucket or what? Shall I lower the salinity to 33ppt to make the KH lower?

Any suggestions for salt that has the parameters close to what we actually need? KH 8, Ca 420 and Mg 1300?

You can always lower the alk with muratic acid. It's very easy to do.

 

[outssider]

I think something is off, TM shouldn't be mixing up around 13, not even close really

reef crystals doesn't mix up at 15. I've been using it for years, I don't check every batch but when I have it's in the high 11 to high 12 range. Maybe your kit is reading high.

 

[esshoes]

I use Tropic Marin Pro and the water specs are very good in my experience.

During my last water change at 1.025, Alk was at 7.112 (Hanna), calcium was at 410 (Salifert), and mag was at 1410 (Salifert). At 1.026 alk is about 7.3-7.4.

 

[Piper27]

reef crystals doesn't mix up at 15. I've been using it for years, i don't check every batch but when i have it's in the high 11 to high 12 range. Maybe your kit is reading high.

+1

 

[jda]

No salt is going to be perfect for what you want to do. Pick one that is very consistent and just doctor it up a bit.

I suggest dry mixing your salt or using a whole bag at a time. It can settle and mix up to 15 dKh if it is settled.

Here is my mix. 50G bag of IO in full-to-the-brim 44G brute of cold water. Mix. Heat. 2tbsp of dowflake. 20Mls or Muratic. Mix for another day or until the pH comes up. Perfect for more than a decade.

 

[LordDarth Bane]

I just dry mixed the TM Pro salt yesterday then mixed 30L for water change. Tested it again, at 35ppt yes the KH was 13.1dKH again and no, the Salifer kit is not inaccurate. I tested my tank water and the KH was 8dKH.

It is the salt. :deadhorse:

 

[jda]

Just add some muratic acid. It is completely safe as long as you aerate it to drive off the CO2 and get the PH back up.

Gallons of Water * Desired dKH drop * .123 = MLs of Muratic is Use

 

[esshoes]

Weird. I was at 7.4 using salifert and 7.6 using Hanna

 

[Lou Ekus]

Can I help you figure this out

Can I help you figure this out

I just dry mixed the TM Pro salt yesterday then mixed 30L for water change. Tested it again, at 35ppt yes the KH was 13.1dKH again and no, the Salifer kit is not inaccurate. I tested my tank water and the KH was 8dKH.

It is the salt. :deadhorse:

Please give me a call in the office so I can help you figure out what is going on with the alkalinity? Please have the batch number of the bucket of salt that you are working from, when you call. our number is 413-367-0101. I will be happy to help you with this.