Water changes

[snowlynx]

Read mgyver's post and other online info, water changes help to replenish minerals, trace elements, etc...

I have a 17 gallon tank. Each time I do 1-3 gallon water change, my
calcium, Akalinity drop. Recently I aquired a Salifert Magnesium test,
Measured 900.

So I dosed and brought magnesium up to 1260.

I am using Instant Ocean basic brand. First batch was ok.
Then I realized you have to shake up/mix the dry salt before adding to water.

Then I went and bought a box of 4 bags, ugh. Too late to return it.
After this I will switch to Reef Crystals.

It is just nuts I am having to dose calcium, carbonate and magensium
every water change though, counter intuitive to replenishing. Also using
Reef Plus.

Seachem said to check salt mix before adding to tank, I did that and
got 380 calcium and 9 dkh, so this is before going into the tank.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Some trace minerals such as iodine are consumed faster than a typical water change schedule can keep up with. Its just a matter of doing the math.

Scenario:
100 gal system
iodine drops by 20% over a months time.
Replace 25% of your water in a month and 75 gallons of your water is still in a deficit.

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, water changes alone are often not enough.

Hope that helps

 

[SAT]

IO attempts to match natural seawater, which is lower in calcium and alkalinity than many reefers want. That's why the company created Reef Crystals.

 

[mcgyvr]

Whoa... whoa..
Either your testing process is flawed or you got a bad batch of salt or just didn't mix properly...

IO mixes up as follows when mixed to 35ppt (1.026) SG
Alk 11dKH
Mag 1350ppm
Cal 400ppm

Just confirmed with my own batch of salt I mixed up last night..

 

[snowlynx]

Thanks Mcgyvr

I will test 2 seperate gallons of IO and see what my numbers are

I contact IO, they said 380 calcium is within their range, ugh...

I just measure 1/2 cup and add to 1 gallon jugg(Arizona tea, nice durable containers)

 

[snowlynx]

Tested 2 seperate 1 gallons with 1/2 cup IO, 1.025 SG:

Cal 360
Alk 8 dkh

DT 1.026 SG:
Cal 440
Alk 8 dkh
Mag 1400

I have been dosing and targeted for Cal 440 in main tank. So I guess my dosing and testing is correct.

This IO Salt Mix, last of one bag. I sure hope the next batch I open is ok.

 

[Xxero]

Even with Reef Crystals, You will probably have to dose up your Magnesium. IO Reef Crystals' Magnesium usually measures right around 1120ppm.

 

[mcgyvr]

Even with Reef Crystals, You will probably have to dose up your Magnesium. IO Reef Crystals' Magnesium usually measures right around 1120ppm.

??
RC when I was using it would mix up to 1440ppm for mag..

RC when mixed to 35ppt/1.026
Cal 490ppm
Alk 13 dkh
Mag 1440ppm

 

[mcgyvr]

I always buy the big 200G box and pour the bags into a 5G bucket that I have left over from the one time I bought the bucket..
Then I roll the bucket every now and then to keep it all mixed up together..

 

[SAT]

i always buy the big 200g box and pour the bags into a 5g bucket that i have left over from the one time i bought the bucket..
Then i roll the bucket every now and then to keep it all mixed up together..

+1

 

[Xxero]

??
RC when I was using it would mix up to 1440ppm for mag..

I dunno? I also buy the 200gl boxes, and I would say average Mag reading for the past 3 has been <1200ppm.

Calcium and Alk are always really good, but I have to dose up Mag every time or it will drop the levels in my tank.

 

[snowlynx]

I always buy the big 200G box and pour the bags into a 5G bucket that I have left over from the one time I bought the bucket..
Then I roll the bucket every now and then to keep it all mixed up together..

lol, you probably live in a huge mansion. I am in a 650 sq. foot box called
an apartment home.

who knows, Everyone is cutting corners these days. Why would IO even
say 380 Calcium is in range?

I am just glad I got the magnesium test kit, can't assume anything in this
hobby.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

380 is actually in range but it's the lowest end of the usual recommended range. 380-450~ is the usual range you see in print.