Reef Crystals - high alk, settling?

tebstan · 03/13/2012, 09:15 PM

I've been using Reef Crystals, but I'm switching to Instant Ocean. I'm down to the last bit of crystals, the last bag from the bottom of the box.

The mix trash can was grossing me out so I cleaned it with a vinegar soak like I usually do. After a bucket cleaning, I always test the ph and kh of the mix water along with the salinity. The kh was off the charts... around 20 with the API test.

I tested my tank to see if my new kit was off... but my tank has it's usual result - 11.

I thought I must not have rinsed the bucket well, and some of the crud that was stuck to the side of the container may have dissolved into this new mix. So I dumped it, not wanting to deal with trying to lower the alk when I plan on switching salt anyway. I cleaned the trash can, pump, and hose much more thoroughly this time and made a new batch.

This time, kh is 17. Is this normal for Reef Crystals? I don't recall testing clean mix water for kh before with this brand of salt.

Someone suggested settling could cause this, but I used the box, not the bucket. The box contains individual bags, so while the bottom bag may have some settling it shouldn't be as bad as the bottom of a bucket, right?

Is this mix safe to use or am I going to waste another 30g of mix water?

It's the last of my crystals. I need the mix to set up a 10g QT tank, or two. I've got some clowns that won't pair, and some bangais that need separating. The 90g DT could use a small partial WC too.

BTW, pH on the mix read the same as it always does and same as the DT... honestly I can't read the API card, but it's consistent purplish brownish.

MARINECRITTERS · 03/13/2012, 11:34 PM

try shaking up the salt before you use it...
I use reef crystals and i have not had any issues but i will start using D-D H2Ocean Pro Plus Salt Mix.

Oh ya i would reccommend you to get a ph pen because they are quick and digital unlike the 10 minute api colour test that you can't really even compare the colours with.

tebstan · 03/13/2012, 11:50 PM

I'm on the last bit of the salt, so shaking won't help now. I will do it with the next batch, though, just in case.

A pH pen? different than a probe? I haven't worried about it much because it's consistent and nothing is suffering, but when the test kit runs out I'll upgrade to something better. I'm not one to bash API, they're good enough for the price, but the ph in particular has an absurd color chart.

So... salt mix with 17 kh? Safe to use?

For a water change, if I'm doing 10 or even 20% I'm not too worried. But as setting up a QT? Does kh effect fish?

I could pull water from the DT to set up the QT, but a 10g needs water changes every few days. The mix bucket sits next to the QT... the DT is in another room... what a hassle

03/13/2012, 09:15 PM	#1
tebstan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 961	Reef Crystals - high alk, settling? I've been using Reef Crystals, but I'm switching to Instant Ocean. I'm down to the last bit of crystals, the last bag from the bottom of the box. The mix trash can was grossing me out so I cleaned it with a vinegar soak like I usually do. After a bucket cleaning, I always test the ph and kh of the mix water along with the salinity. The kh was off the charts... around 20 with the API test. I tested my tank to see if my new kit was off... but my tank has it's usual result - 11. I thought I must not have rinsed the bucket well, and some of the crud that was stuck to the side of the container may have dissolved into this new mix. So I dumped it, not wanting to deal with trying to lower the alk when I plan on switching salt anyway. I cleaned the trash can, pump, and hose much more thoroughly this time and made a new batch. This time, kh is 17. Is this normal for Reef Crystals? I don't recall testing clean mix water for kh before with this brand of salt. Someone suggested settling could cause this, but I used the box, not the bucket. The box contains individual bags, so while the bottom bag may have some settling it shouldn't be as bad as the bottom of a bucket, right? Is this mix safe to use or am I going to waste another 30g of mix water? It's the last of my crystals. I need the mix to set up a 10g QT tank, or two. I've got some clowns that won't pair, and some bangais that need separating. The 90g DT could use a small partial WC too. BTW, pH on the mix read the same as it always does and same as the DT... honestly I can't read the API card, but it's consistent purplish brownish. __________________ Washington's Rule #110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

03/13/2012, 11:50 PM	#3
tebstan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 961	I'm on the last bit of the salt, so shaking won't help now. I will do it with the next batch, though, just in case. A pH pen? different than a probe? I haven't worried about it much because it's consistent and nothing is suffering, but when the test kit runs out I'll upgrade to something better. I'm not one to bash API, they're good enough for the price, but the ph in particular has an absurd color chart. So... salt mix with 17 kh? Safe to use? For a water change, if I'm doing 10 or even 20% I'm not too worried. But as setting up a QT? Does kh effect fish? I could pull water from the DT to set up the QT, but a 10g needs water changes every few days. The mix bucket sits next to the QT... the DT is in another room... what a hassle __________________ Washington's Rule #110: Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

03/13/2012, 11:34 PM	#2
MARINECRITTERS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,525	try shaking up the salt before you use it... I use reef crystals and i have not had any issues but i will start using D-D H2Ocean Pro Plus Salt Mix. Oh ya i would reccommend you to get a ph pen because they are quick and digital unlike the 10 minute api colour test that you can't really even compare the colours with.