Users of Reef Cystals...

[z3r0ko0l]

I recently switched to Reef Crystals and have been having a few problems. In the past Ive used Oceanic, Tropic Marin, and Red Sea Pro.

If I make my mix as per the directions 1/2 cup per gallon, I'm getting the following (tests after 5g RO/DI 1.4lb or 2.5 cups salt and overnight power head mix):

PH 7.9
Alk Normal just above Low (I have only the solution for the cheesy kit left)
Salt Grav. 1.0185 or 25 ppt
Calcium 300 ppm

I'm guessing im going to have to just use more salt in my mix, but this the only mix that has ever come out this low and required this much more salt per gallon. Since I run my tank at 1.024 - 1.025 its really making my investment of 2 160g buckets look more like its gonna be 2 130g/114g buckets not to mention I have the expense of adding more calcium additives.


Is anyone else having this problem? What mix (ratio) are you using if you use this salt? Ive always read this was a good salt and decided to give it a try, am i wrong or do you think this could just be a bad batch?

 

[OCRick]

Did you mix the bucket of salt prior to using it?

 

[BLKTANG]

just add a bit more salt.

 

[luther1200]

That seems like an excessive amount of salt. I used to make 5 gallons at a time and it only took about 2.25 cups to get 1.026.

Even now I make 17 gallons at a time and it only takes me about 9.5-10 cups instead of 8.5. Which is about the same as it always was for me.

 

[Zestay]

please take your directions and flush them. all that matters is accurate test results =)
1.026 is 1.026
1 cup to 1 gallon is very inaccurate.
just add salt till your "refractormeter"is where you want it. your hydrometer is never where you want it unless its in the trash =)

 

[pmrossetti]

It's usually 1/2 cup per gallon, or 1cup per 2 gallons. Whichever is easier to remember.

 

[usefulidiot213]

the directions are just an "approx" or a guide. The calcium is normally low in Reef Crystals from what I have been told, which is kinda funny because I always thought they increased the Calcium in reef crystals, and that was the difference between their other salt.

 

[Zestay]

It's usually 1/2 cup per gallon, or 1cup per 2 gallons. Whichever is easier to remember.

i was referring more to using volume to calculate proper salinity considering the number of additives to each batch of salt may vary widely. its best to use a refractometer to determine proper sg / ppt

 

[z3r0ko0l]

I just made 1 gallon mix and im mixing with a powerhead as i type this. So far with 1/2 a cup (as per directions) im getting 1.019...still alittle low, and yea thats with the Refractometer not a hydrometer. How much are you using to get to 1.026 (ratio per gallon), im just trying to figure out how far this bucket will go since theres no way im getting close to the 160g. I was also wondering if these where normal numbers. I test each new bucket and these numbers seem to be the most off, and it looks like im gonna have to use more then usual. I always mix per directions and test a new bucket so i know where im gonna be for that buckets mix.

 

[impur]

I switched from Red Sea Coral Pro to Reef Crystals about 6m ago. I find they take a similar amount of salt.

You are adding salt to the water not the other way around right?

 

[usefulidiot213]

I start with the guided 1/2 cup per gallon, and mix. A few hours later I test, and add more salt accordingly to get it to 1.026.

 

[usefulidiot213]

I switched from Red Sea Coral Pro to Reef Crystals about 6m ago. I find they take a similar amount of salt.

You are adding salt to the water not the other way around right?

If you are mixing over night, what would be different if you added salt to the water or water to the salt?

 

[z3r0ko0l]

Ive always added salt to the water...never really thought about doing it the other way around.

 

[usefulidiot213]

To think about it,
I always added salt to the water as well. Just Curious about what happens if you do it the other way around. Does something bad really happen? Is it like a bad ju-ju thing?

 

[Blownsvt]

i am getting ready to mix to fill my tank for the first time right now. FIlling a 35 gallon tub of RO water as i type this. I am using red sea. we'll see how it goes.

 

[TWallace]

I don't measure cups/gallon. I just add salt til I reach 35ppt. That being said, I do however find both RC and IO to be low pH (7.8) which annoys me. I switched from RC to when I found RC did that, but found IO is the same.

 

[elegance coral]

To think about it,
I always added salt to the water as well. Just Curious about what happens if you do it the other way around. Does something bad really happen? Is it like a bad ju-ju thing?

Always add water to the mixing container first. If you add the salt first the solution can become super saturated and begin precipitating calcium carbonate. The end result will be a salt water mix that's low in calcium and alkalinity.

 

[reeftank21]

I agree completely. If you look at the box of Reef Crystals the instructions will give you an approximation for 1.021. The 200 gallon boxes are really only about 150 or 160 gallons at 1.026. They only make 200 gallons at 1.021.
I've been comparing prices of other brands but are unsure on how much they make. Tropic Marin is about $80 for 300 gallon mix but would calculate the same as reef crystals 200 gallon because of how much it takes. I'm just not sure if the Tropic Marin at $80 makes 300 gallons at 1.026.

thanks

 

[pmrossetti]

Anyone still finding brown film with RC?

 

[reeftank21]

Yes. I just mixed up 40 gallons. Next day after emptying the container it was covered with the film. It doesn't seem to hurt anything. It would seem to be getting worse.