Salt mixes

brianr24

New member
Hey guys iv been using regular instant ocean mix. I get about 700ppm mag low calcium also. I dose it up but it takes a lot of tech M and it's pita. I was thinking about reef Crystals but I suspect it may be the same. Any suggestions? thx.
 
I had to quit Oceanic and go to Instant Ocean because of Oceanic's high magnesium levels. You might try doing a water change with that to 'catch up.'
 
Thx for link bruindave. Great link. Only problem is can't have confidence in data. Cuz I know my IO isn't anywhere near same. I do mix .024 but I don't think that would account for 5 or 6 hundred ppm off.lol. it's not life or death but I am going to experiment with some other salts. But I will buy smaller amounts this time.
 
Yeah sk8r would it be a problem to mix salts in the same batch. ie. Not in alternating water changes but in the same batch. Thx
 
When I used IO it wasn't that low, are you mixing the salt before you scoop it out? Sometimes the different components can settle out in shipping and storage. So if all the mg was at the top and youre reaching the bottom of the bucket it can run low. I think there's something up with your batch. Has this been an issue for more than one bucket of salt?

I get reef crystals now cause it's close in price on amazon w/ free shipping (yay Prime!). I haven't checked the mg on a new batch, but I haven't had any trouble keeping my tank above 1200.
 
Yeah Strickland I thought same. I didn't mix bucket up and I also purchased it from amazon. Sometime I think things from amazon could be rejects. Yes only one bucket but I have seen others with same issue in reviews.
 
Thx for the link bud. I think I am going to try reef Crystals next not sur if I'm going to get off amazon tho maybe just LFS. I'll see.
 
The Mag in my Reef Crystals was 1150 or so. Ca was low too. Alk was about 11. I started using HW Marinemix Reefer from BRS. Way better Ca, Alk, and Mag then Reef Crystals. I don't have to add anything to the salt mix to get levels where they need to be.
 
I've had great success with red sea coral pro. Everything seems to stay in line as long as I keep up with water changes.
 
I run the red sea coral pro salt 15% weekly waterchanges.

Magnesium plays a very important role in keeping the Calcium and Alkalinity stable.
If those two parameters are being impossible to maintain then you most likely have neglected magnesium.
The amount of magnesium is generally three times the proper amount of calcium present. If the magnesium is too low then the calcium molecules precipitate and be of no use.
If the magnesium is too high then it can have adverse effects.
Dosing Magnesium should be done between dosing of Calcium and alkalinity as needed.
 
seems odd, maybe just an odd batch?
Have you seen this LOW MG over several batches?

Is your test kits good?

I love me some IO!
 
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