I have a new 125 (still cycling) which will eventually be my first venture into SPS. I will be using a Reef Dynamics BPR 135 in hopes of keeping both Nitrates and phosphates at low levels. Ive done a lot of reading which suggests in systems such as this, you should avoid high Alk levels. I currently use Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix which is usually around 12dkh. Would it be wise to simply mix it half and half with the regular Red Sea salt which seems to be 8dkh, thus lowering the Alk to 10dkh. Would that Alk level still be too high? If so, any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
SPS beginner w/salt mix alk question
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AdamDeMamp
New member
I'm against mixing salts. I think 12kH is high for an sps tank. I never had luck with my sps with alk higher than 10. I like to keep mine around 7-8. I believe natural sea water is around 8dkH. I had the same problem when I started with reef crystals. Once I switched to IC and brought my levels down, everything seemed to grow better. I'm dosing 2 part (BRS) to maintain levels. I'm no expert, but this is my experience. I hope this helps.
downbeach
New member
If you're going to use bio-pellets you should keep your parameters close to NSW. I've been using a BP reactor for a few years now and my param's are: Alk @ 7 - 8 dKH, Ca @ 410, Mg @ 1350. I do 10% WC's every two weeks and use Reef Crystals salt mix. I would let your system mature and stabilize before adding any sensitive inverts.
Thanks for the response. I will be moving over 5 fish, a hammer coral, an open brain, and a bubble tip anemone from an existing 75. I plan to give it a good 6 months before I begin to add any sps or clams. It sounds like, from your parameters, switching from Red Sea Coral Pro to the regular Red Sea formula would be a good move for me.
downbeach
New member
I would make sure my salinity is right @ 1.026, by measuring it with a refractometer, that is calibrated using a good 35ppt solution. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18717This will ensure that you are getting the same amount of these elements very time you do a WC. Keep in mind that even though you might be reading a high Alk, in your make up water, it will be getting diluted when you mix it in your DT. I'm using a "reef" type of salt mix with Reef Crystals, which has higher levels of these elements, i.e. Ca, Mg, and Alk, (like Red Sea Pro)as opposed to the regular Instant Ocean(like regular Red Sea). However, since you don't have much/any of a Ca, Alk load, you could save yourself some money and just use the regular salt mix, until you start to add coral's that will have more of a need for higher Ca, and Alk.
Thanks again. I do use a refractometer though I must admit I keep it calibrated with distilled water. An investment in the 35 ppt solution would probably be a good idea. I think I will take your advice and just use the regular Red Sea mix for now. Currently the water in the tank is 12.2 dkh with the Red Sea pro. Using the regular for several months will, I suppose, allow the ALK to come down into the appropriate levels well before I add my first sps. Plus my current inhabitants in the 75 will be able to slowly adjust when I move them over. If that is even necessary.
