Question about salt mixes? A little frustrated.

bassking16 · 08/27/2010, 07:42 AM

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing as I have with salt mixes. I've read numerous threads about different mixes, and what there alkalinity/calcium levels should be once mixed. Currently, I am using Reef Crystals, and I would think that once mixed properly, the alkalinity level should be somewhere around 10 or 11 dkh, and the calcium should be around 500 or so. I have yet to get this high of readings. I've used API and Salifert test kits, and the best I get is 6 dkh and 380 +/- on the calcium. I have also used IO salt, Seachem Reef and Seachem Marine, and I always end up with these low numbers. Magnesium is always low as well. I usually get somewhere in the neighborhood of 1100 for Mag. I am always having to dose heavily in order to bring the levels up to par. Incidentally, all my mixing water is from and RO/DI filter.

Am I doing something wrong here?

skibum9884 · 08/27/2010, 07:57 AM

Interesting that all of the salt mixes are testing low for you. That would make me think that you might be testing wrong.

Otherwise, are you mixing to 1.0264? If you're going lower, that would be the reason for the lower levels.

fcmatt · 08/27/2010, 07:57 AM

Could it be that the salt has settled during shipment and it needs a really good mixing
before grabbing some out of the bag/bucket? I have heard that calcium will settle towards
the bottom and this may cause some issues.

Either way, mixing the bag/bucket is a good idea but I suppose if you did not as you get
towards the bottom your calcium levels would go up dramatically.

skibum9884 · 08/27/2010, 07:57 AM

Oh, and make sure the test kits aren't expired, and you're shaking the reagents before adding.

mfinn · 08/27/2010, 08:31 AM

I just bought new Salifert test kits and found out my older ones were giving me low readings. The older ones weren't past the experation date, but they were close.

ChrisBuono · 08/27/2010, 09:24 AM

Check out...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1714505

and

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1/view

WarrenG · 08/27/2010, 09:31 AM

Not adding enough salt to the water? Only way to be sure is with a $24 refractometer from ebay. :-)

bassking16 · 08/27/2010, 09:49 AM

Check out...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1714505

That was one of the links that I was reffering to when I mentioned it in my original post. I have never gotten near those numbers with any of the salt brands that I tried.

My test kits are all new or close to it, and I have always recieved good readings from them when checking my tank water. I have also had my LFS test my water as well, and came up with the same low numbers. I mix my salt to 1.024, but I didn't think it would make that big of a drop in the numbers. It takes about 3 cups of salt for every 5.5 gallons of water that I mix in order to achieve 1.024, and I do use a refractometer to check my SG. I have recently recallibrated the refracto with callibration fluid as well just to be sure.

Just out of curiousity, what ratio of salt mix to water do you use in order to get your desired SG. I know the standard is 1/2 cup of salt for every gallon of water, but I always have to use more salt then that no matter which brand I use.

Chris27 · 08/27/2010, 11:02 AM

I fill a 32 Gal Brute to the brim, and then use 18 cups of IO to get 35ppt.

mcrist · 08/27/2010, 11:17 AM

I know what you mean, I get the same low readings too.

Jdbrine · 08/27/2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcmatt

could it be that the salt has settled during shipment and it needs a really good mixing
before grabbing some out of the bag/bucket? I have heard that calcium will settle towards
the bottom and this may cause some issues.

Either way, mixing the bag/bucket is a good idea but i suppose if you did not as you get
towards the bottom your calcium levels would go up dramatically.

+1

skibum9884 · 08/27/2010, 11:54 AM

Ok, one last idea. When are you testing the water? I'd give it 24 hrs to fully dissolve. Especially IO and RC, they take a bit longer than the TM products in my experience.

If you're testing shortly after mixing, maybe that could be the reason for the low readings.

Briniel · 08/27/2010, 12:14 PM

I think it might be the low SG. I've had the same problem with Mg and Ca. My hydrometer gave me wrong readings so when checking with a new conductivity meter, I found that I had my SG at 1.023 instead of 1.026. Now that I've corrected that, Mg and Ca are fine.
You could try it out on a liter of RO/DI water and see whether the tests give you better readings with a higher SG.

bassking16 · 08/27/2010, 01:07 PM

Thank you all for the inputs. I'll give them a shot and see what happens.

D-Nak · 08/27/2010, 01:53 PM

I know it's not a solution to the problem, but I've just gotten used to salt mixes having varied test results, usually on the low side, and me having to supplement. That being the case, I usually stick to the cheaper mixes (IO) knowing that I'll need to supplement.

SammyJ916 · 08/27/2010, 04:48 PM

reef crystals all the way

EdSnyder · 08/27/2010, 04:53 PM

Just test my reef crystal yesterday. Cal480 mag1450

eric@tampa · 08/27/2010, 07:47 PM

When I mix rc I use a heaping 1/2 cup per gal. works everytime.1/2 cup level always comes up short for me.

nikon187 · 08/27/2010, 09:07 PM

i know my dd h2o mixes up almost perfect every time. 1300mg,480ca, 11dkh. bio sea and marine environment by aquacraft are also quite good right from the bag

Mavrk · 08/27/2010, 09:12 PM

Like others have said, you have to mix to 35 ppt. You also have to let it mix for at least 24 hours.

08/27/2010, 07:42 AM	#1
bassking16 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 336	Question about salt mixes? A little frustrated. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing as I have with salt mixes. I've read numerous threads about different mixes, and what there alkalinity/calcium levels should be once mixed. Currently, I am using Reef Crystals, and I would think that once mixed properly, the alkalinity level should be somewhere around 10 or 11 dkh, and the calcium should be around 500 or so. I have yet to get this high of readings. I've used API and Salifert test kits, and the best I get is 6 dkh and 380 +/- on the calcium. I have also used IO salt, Seachem Reef and Seachem Marine, and I always end up with these low numbers. Magnesium is always low as well. I usually get somewhere in the neighborhood of 1100 for Mag. I am always having to dose heavily in order to bring the levels up to par. Incidentally, all my mixing water is from and RO/DI filter. Am I doing something wrong here? __________________ If you don't want to stand behind our troops, then feel free to stand in front of them! Current Tank Info: 150g SPS 55g Sump/Fuge/Frag Tank

08/27/2010, 07:57 AM	#2
skibum9884 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,157	Interesting that all of the salt mixes are testing low for you. That would make me think that you might be testing wrong. Otherwise, are you mixing to 1.0264? If you're going lower, that would be the reason for the lower levels. __________________ -David Current Tank: Elos System 70, 17 gal ADA Rimless in Progress

08/27/2010, 07:57 AM	#4
skibum9884 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,157	Oh, and make sure the test kits aren't expired, and you're shaking the reagents before adding. __________________ -David Current Tank: Elos System 70, 17 gal ADA Rimless in Progress

08/27/2010, 08:31 AM	#5
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I just bought new Salifert test kits and found out my older ones were giving me low readings. The older ones weren't past the experation date, but they were close. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

08/27/2010, 09:24 AM	#6
ChrisBuono Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 859	Check out... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1714505 and http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1/view __________________ I'm back, baby! Current Tank Info: Fluval EVO 13.5 Nano

08/27/2010, 07:57 AM	#3
fcmatt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NH Posts: 850	Could it be that the salt has settled during shipment and it needs a really good mixing before grabbing some out of the bag/bucket? I have heard that calcium will settle towards the bottom and this may cause some issues. Either way, mixing the bag/bucket is a good idea but I suppose if you did not as you get towards the bottom your calcium levels would go up dramatically.

08/27/2010, 09:31 AM	#7
WarrenG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 738	Not adding enough salt to the water? Only way to be sure is with a $24 refractometer from ebay. :-)

08/27/2010, 09:49 AM	#8
bassking16 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 336	Check out... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1714505 That was one of the links that I was reffering to when I mentioned it in my original post. I have never gotten near those numbers with any of the salt brands that I tried. My test kits are all new or close to it, and I have always recieved good readings from them when checking my tank water. I have also had my LFS test my water as well, and came up with the same low numbers. I mix my salt to 1.024, but I didn't think it would make that big of a drop in the numbers. It takes about 3 cups of salt for every 5.5 gallons of water that I mix in order to achieve 1.024, and I do use a refractometer to check my SG. I have recently recallibrated the refracto with callibration fluid as well just to be sure. Just out of curiousity, what ratio of salt mix to water do you use in order to get your desired SG. I know the standard is 1/2 cup of salt for every gallon of water, but I always have to use more salt then that no matter which brand I use. __________________ If you don't want to stand behind our troops, then feel free to stand in front of them! Current Tank Info: 150g SPS 55g Sump/Fuge/Frag Tank

08/27/2010, 11:02 AM	#9
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	I fill a 32 Gal Brute to the brim, and then use 18 cups of IO to get 35ppt.

08/27/2010, 11:17 AM	#10
mcrist Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,598	I know what you mean, I get the same low readings too. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: 450 Gallon Peninsula

08/27/2010, 11:54 AM	#12
skibum9884 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,157	Ok, one last idea. When are you testing the water? I'd give it 24 hrs to fully dissolve. Especially IO and RC, they take a bit longer than the TM products in my experience. If you're testing shortly after mixing, maybe that could be the reason for the low readings. __________________ -David Current Tank: Elos System 70, 17 gal ADA Rimless in Progress

08/27/2010, 12:14 PM	#13
Briniel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Germany Posts: 34	I think it might be the low SG. I've had the same problem with Mg and Ca. My hydrometer gave me wrong readings so when checking with a new conductivity meter, I found that I had my SG at 1.023 instead of 1.026. Now that I've corrected that, Mg and Ca are fine. You could try it out on a liter of RO/DI water and see whether the tests give you better readings with a higher SG.

08/27/2010, 01:07 PM	#14
bassking16 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 336	Thank you all for the inputs. I'll give them a shot and see what happens. __________________ If you don't want to stand behind our troops, then feel free to stand in front of them! Current Tank Info: 150g SPS 55g Sump/Fuge/Frag Tank

08/27/2010, 01:53 PM	#15
D-Nak Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,797	I know it's not a solution to the problem, but I've just gotten used to salt mixes having varied test results, usually on the low side, and me having to supplement. That being the case, I usually stick to the cheaper mixes (IO) knowing that I'll need to supplement.

08/27/2010, 04:48 PM	#16
SammyJ916 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 416	reef crystals all the way

08/27/2010, 04:53 PM	#17
EdSnyder Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Port Orange, FL Posts: 527	Just test my reef crystal yesterday. Cal480 mag1450 __________________ "He worked really hard Grandma..." "So do washing machines." Current Tank Info: Changes Daily

08/27/2010, 07:47 PM	#18
eric@tampa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa,Fla Posts: 322	When I mix rc I use a heaping 1/2 cup per gal. works everytime.1/2 cup level always comes up short for me.

08/27/2010, 09:07 PM	#19
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	i know my dd h2o mixes up almost perfect every time. 1300mg,480ca, 11dkh. bio sea and marine environment by aquacraft are also quite good right from the bag __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

08/27/2010, 09:12 PM	#20
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Like others have said, you have to mix to 35 ppt. You also have to let it mix for at least 24 hours.

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