Fritz RPM Parameters and a random question

[fftfk]

Recently my tank parameters have been a little off and I have been trying to figure out why. Nothing dangerous (from 8.5 alk to 8.1 and calc dropped a bit) but still lower than I have traditionally run them.

I tested a new batch of Fritz RPM and the readings I got were Salinity 1.024 (usually put it into my tank right at 1.026). The alk was 5.9 as tested on Hanna, Calcium was 350 (Red Sea), and Magnesium 1290. These are pretty far from published specs. Has anyone else experienced this?

Would this water be ok to use? What about to do a 15 minute coral dip with? I have new boxes of the salt so have no problem dumping it and created a new one.

Random Question - has anyone used hydrogen peroxide to clean their salt mixing container? Mine has a lot of residue so was thinking of trying to clean it. I didn't want to have to break down the mixing station and carry the 55 gallon barrel through the house so was thinking I could just mix in some hydrogen peroxide.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Uncle99]

At 1.0264 (35ppt) Fritz should come in much higher in each category.

At 1.0240, each would be less.

bring the water up to 1.0264 first, then take those tests again.

Not had any issue with that salt.

Alk varies between 8-9dkh. For me 8.3-8.9dkh at 35ppt.

 

[Uncle99]

For my tub I fill it with warm tap water and a gallon of vinegar and let it sit for 24.

Then I pump that out and wipe her down with a scrub. Rinse and dry.

 

[fftfk]

At 1.0264 (35ppt) Fritz should come in much higher in each category.

At 1.0240, each would be less.

bring the water up to 1.0264 first, then take those tests again.

Not had any issue with that salt.

Alk varies between 8-9dkh. For me 8.3-8.9dkh at 35ppt.

So I should probably just dump this water and start over. It was the final bag from that box. Hopefully the two boxes I bought this week test better.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

So I should probably just dump this water and start over. It was the final bag from that box. Hopefully the two boxes I bought this week test better.

Im not sure what is wrong. How large of a batch did you make?

 

[kevgib67]

I’ve been using it for over three and a half years without any issues. I’ve had trouble keeping my magnesium up ( sorry Randy) and the box says it mixes to 1350 so I mixed up a fresh batch and tested and it was 1350. I’ve never experienced it but perhaps you have a bad batch. Mixed up by a worker at 4:59 pm on a Friday who was supposed to meet his friends for happy hour at 5:00 pm.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Interesting. I’ve put about 10-12 boxes of blue RPM through my mixing station since converting from Reef Crystals. I have sediment filters on my mixing station from the Reef Crystals days. I would have to change filters every 3 boxes and clean my bin out at the same time. After 10-12 boxes, I haven’t had to clean my mixing bin once. I’ve only had to change a sediment filter once. Interestingly though - I never would get algae in my display ready bin. With RPM Blue, I’m about to take my entire mixing station apart to clean my display ready (AWC pre-mixed) bin with citric acid for the second time in 6 month to eliminate algae.

 

[Magic031707]

Yeah, I tried 2 buckets about 6 months ago and my alk was at 6.8 and the calcium was 380. I have up and went back to Nyos. Now im starting to see some problems with their parameters not matching up.to the bucket label

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I’m going to have to test my next batch I mI’d this weekend. I make a full box at a time. So, I don’t have the settling issue.

 

[fftfk]

Im not sure what is wrong. How large of a batch did you make?

I have a 55 gallon salt water bin that I mix it up in. I use it bi-weekly for a water change in a 400 gallon system. One bag mixes up to about 50 gallons.

Over the past few tests I’ve noticed my alk and calcium decreasing. I dose kalc on my system. I’ve been checking my equipment, programming, etc. and last night decided to test a newly made batch of salt water. The parameters I tested at are well below what Fritz advertised they should be. I’m thinking I’ve got a bad batch of salt and maybe the water changes correlate with my decreasing levels in my tank. The timeframe seems to correlate.

My thought was to dump the newly made saltwater as the parameters are too far from
Where they are supposed. I have two new boxes so it would be easy to make a new batch.

 

[fftfk]

I’m going to have to test my next batch I mI’d this weekend. I make a full box at a time. So, I don’t have the settling issue.

Please do. It will be interesting to see if they had/have an issue. I can create a new batch and test as well.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

As long as you are certain the test results are not a testing problem, then tossing it is reasonable since you cannot tell what else may be wrong. If it were just those values, I’d dose them up.

 

[fftfk]

As long as you are certain the test results are not a testing problem, then tossing it is reasonable since you cannot tell what else may be wrong. If it were just those values, I’d dose them up.

What is the best way to dose them up? A while ago I tried the salt you had to manually increase Alk on and found it to be a hassle. The Alk supplement would precipitate out 90% of the time.

 

[Uncle99]

In your first post you say you mixed to 1.024.
If salinity is low, everything is low.
Always Mix to 1.0264 for comparable results, otherwise tests are going to vary as well.

So the easiest way in this case to dose them up is to increase salinity to 1.0264 which is where the manufacture recommended.

 

[fftfk]

In your first post you say you mixed to 1.024.
If salinity is low, everything is low.
Always Mix to 1.0264 for comparable results, otherwise tests are going to vary as well.

So the easiest way in this case to dose them up is to increase salinity to 1.0264 which is where the manufacture recommended.

I'm aware - I'm upping the salinity currently. I am doing it via evaporation as I do not want to mix in the new salt I picked up. I will test again when It gets to the correct salinity. Do you think from .024 to .0264 will make that big a difference? The salinity difference is about 10% while the alk is about 35% off.

 

[jasonrusso]

You can have Fritz send you the tested specifications from your batch if you ask.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What is the best way to dose them up? A while ago I tried the salt you had to manually increase Alk on and found it to be a hassle. The Alk supplement would precipitate out 90% of the time.

Backing soda for alk and calcium chloride for calcium.

 

[Uncle99]

I'm aware - I'm upping the salinity currently. I am doing it via evaporation as I do not want to mix in the new salt I picked up. I will test again when It gets to the correct salinity. Do you think from .024 to .0264 will make that big a difference? The salinity difference is about 10% while the alk is about 35% off.

It will of course, increase, big, nope, but always test at the same salinity so future tests would be comparable, otherwise your just adding another “unknown” to the results.

I don’t get tied up much with 8.0-9.0dkh as batches would vary between these numbers.

I find what “the system” likes to hold at and I’ll take a stable number between 8-11dkh over any specific number.

After salinity correction completed, then bring MG up to say 1350-1400ppm….and then test again.