Salt Mix Parameters:

[earlybird]

I'm currently researching salt. You can help. I'd like to compare parameters and see if there's consistency across the board in same salts. I understand that each system is different but would like to know what salt you use and what your parameters are before dosing or buffering of any kind. Please list any and all parameters that you test for, including your source of water, test kit brand, temperature, consistency of levels and salinity or specific gravity.
Thanks for your participation.

 

[yote]

I been using Oceanic since last July I guess.Never add any buffer or calcium.Ph likes to stay around 8.3.Calcium is always 420.And ALK is runs from 10 to 12 DKH.
Thats mixed at a salinity of 34ppt.

 

[zman1]

You may also want to know what test kit Brand they are using, source water type and temp. Also, as Yote added salinity or SG. If you want to edit the main post asking for these, I will delete this one.

 

[newbostonconst]

I am in the process of setting up my second tank. The first one I did at Christmas (20 gal) and all the parameters using Instant Ocean were:
PH = 8.0
NH3 = 0
NO2 = 0
KH = 9
CA = 425
PO4 = .1
Iodine = .01 (had to add to bring up)
Mg = 1380
NO3 = 0
Salinity = 1.022
Temp = 78
Here is the second (100 gal) using IO Reef Crystals 2 weeks ago:
PH = 8.0
NH3 = 0
NO2 = 0
KH = 8.3
CA = 350 (had to add to bring up)
PO4 = .0
Iodine = .00 (had to add to bring up)
Mg = 1200 (had to add to bring up)
NO3 = 0
Salinity = 1.025
Temp = 78
I thought IO Reef Crystals was suposed to be better for Ca, Iodine, and Mg. That was wrong.

 

[chadman]

i have always used tropic marin pro reef...now more recently in two tanks...and my pH's have never rose above7.8...i have never had any problems though so i never really gave thought to it until now that possibly its the salt...silly me

 

[zman1]

Instant Ocean
RO/DI TDS 0 - about 30 gallons
77.5 F - both test
8.11 pH - calibrated the monitor yesterday -both test
I have done two tests at different salinity levels
First Test - water sat overnight -(yesterday)
1.021 SG coralife deep 6 Hydrometer
33 ppt Salinity Sybon Refractometer
Alk 160 ppm Lamotte
Ca 325 ppm Salifert
NO3 - 0 Salifert
PO4 -0 Salifert
Mg - ran out Salifert
Second Test - added salt tonight, almost two hours ago
1.025 SG coralife deep 6 Hydrometer
36 ppt Salinity Sybon Refractometer
Alk 184 ppm Lamotte
Ca 400 ppm Salifert
NO3 - 0 Salifert
PO4 -0 Salifert
Mg - ran out Salifert
Not counting operator error - Alk is high compared to Ca

 

[earlybird]

Feel free to double up brands that you may already see on this list. As I get more, I'm going to try to work with these numbers and create an average, if it's possible.
Anyone else having a hard time with Tropic Marin Pro Reef and pH?

 

[earlybird]

I'm bumping this in hopes that since the board is slow today some of you fishing around would add your parameters.

 

[turningtim]

Originally Posted by earlybird
NewBostonConst- were both IO and Reef Crystals above tested at the same temp and salinity? If so, I am surprised by those numbers.
Feel free to double up brands that you may already see on this list. As I get more, I'm going to try to work with these numbers and create an average, if it's possible.
Anyone else having a hard time with Tropic Marin Pro Reef and pH?
early, I went back to using TM rather then the Pro. I was having to fight the ALK way to much. CA (420) was good but the ALK was always 6-7 DKH out of the bucket.
My CA was a bit low with the TM (360) but the ALK was always 10+ DKH. I'm going back to dripping Kalk for the CA.
I have to mix a new batch in the next few days and I'll post what I get from the reg TM.
The Pro just seemed not to do well for my tank. Maybe its just me.
Tim
Oh yea, all Salifert kits......

 

[earlybird]

Thanks Tim. Good to know. Please post when you get your readings. I've done some google-ing and the Tropic Marin Pro Reef has a lot of mixed reviews. I'm not sure how "new" the pro reef version is but maybe they haven't worked all the bugs out.

 

[larryndana]

well i had low cal in IO so i switched to Oceanic. Now i have high cal. Glad to see this thread....maybe i can find something better.
So here are my readings. all tests are API, alk is by IO.
78 temp
1.026 SG
ph 8.2
cal 540
alk 3.50
i haven't tested for ammonia, trites, trates, or phosphates....will next time. i would assume them to be 0.

 

[earlybird]

larryndana,
Thanks. Alk is very low when compared to the Calcium levels. I wonder if this is true across the board. Are your levels consistent from week to week?

 

[larryndana]

i'll let you know, just started checking it.

 

[aztec reef]

i would like to see the numbers between IO & Reef Crystals. wich one has better alk/calcium levels for a reef. i've used IO since day one with no problems, but i just wanna know is -- is a better route to take when it comes to reef. or are they similar? i been thinking about switching to --...

 

[newbostonconst]

earlybird, I updated the readings as you requested.
The readings were from 2 different tanks about a week after everything was mixed and up-n-running.

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
i would like to see the numbers between IO & Reef Crystals. wich one has better alk/calcium levels for a reef. i've used IO since day one with no problems, but i just wanna know is -- is a better route to take when it comes to reef. or are they similar? i been thinking about switching to --...
Look at 3rd post. Could you please post your paramaters for Instant Ocean? Are they similar to NewBoston's 3rd post?

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by larryndana
i'll let you know, just started checking it.
Please do b/c your levels are way off compared to Yote's above and he's using Oceaninc also. I'd be concerned you have a bad batch.

 

[cam78]

I use Tropic Marin and the only problem I have been having is low DKH. Everything else has been great. 46 Gallon Reef

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by CAM78
I use Tropic Marin and the only problem I have been having is low DKH. Everything else has been great. 46 Gallon Reef
If you know your parameters could you please list them.

 

[jessi p]

Anyone using Aquatic Gardens? That stuff is currently on sale, and you get a 25 lb bag free with purchase of a 50 lb bag. But my main concern is QUALITY not quantity........