Should be fineMy last measurement was 1400, so a little high.
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Should be fineMy last measurement was 1400, so a little high.
Do you run Phosban at all? That can lower alk. I always have to adjust my dosing when I run Phosban.
By the way, I dont know what you mean by 'when I do that'. Dont know what 'that' refers to above.
I’d say your test is off.
If the two fresh mixed salts are 9.5 rather than 13 as they should be, I’d assume your alk in the tank right now is 11 not 7.
This is the go to article on balancing.
It’s also why I don’t dose mag.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/11/chemistry
In short , organisisms use the 3 minerals in balance. The 3 don’t have to be in balance to use them. That just have to be there. And not limited.
Understood.The coral pro salt mixes to 12 dkh (11.8-12.2) according to the Red Sea site(unless you are talking about a different mix)? That also goes up or down depending on the salinity to which it was mixed. The Hannah checker itself is +- .3 dkh - so depending on the salinity he mixed it to, his meter might not be that far off (especially , as you stated, mixing the 2 salts together could easily cause error - especially mixing a high alk and high Ca salt. )
When I do “that,” I mean adding more and more alkalinity. And yes it’s a 43 Gallon system, which just baffles me because I didn’t imagine such a small tank can consume so much.
That’s why I switched back to the BRS 2 part because it seems much more basic. This question seems real stupid, but when my calcium skyrockets, should I not add any? You said that calcium fluctuates when none, or not enough is added. I keep reading that by not adding calcium, that contributes to the problem.
Understood.
I would assume the salinity was correct for a reef and the temp was a consideration. But an error that large should be either imo.
A 12alk salt + a 12 alk salt should 12.
The op is getting 9.
Understood.
I would assume the salinity was correct for a reef and the temp was a consideration. But an error that large should be either imo.
A 12alk salt + a 12 alk salt should 12.
The op is getting 9.
I’d get fresh mixed to confirm.I’ve read this article many times. It always has an underlying solution: correct the dKH, which I do, but the next day it’s down again. I’ll retest the dKH of the tank and post in a sec.
He mixed 2 mixes together one with a higher Ca (as you already said) - you cant tell anything from those numbers. Firstly, were both 'mixes' mixed in their buckets, etc etc etc - there are too many variables to 'guess'.
Secondly, He measured 9.5 (which could be 9.3 - 9.8) and the salt could mix to 11.5-12.5) - both including the possible errors from the Hanna checker. Im basically agreeing with you - that he cant interpret his original tests with the 2 salts mixed.
I’d get fresh mixed to confirm.
What was it before? What are you using for alk?My fault. My intentions were to dilute the RSCP because it has a ton of calcium, and the tank was pretty high in ca. Current alk is 7.7 after adding 50 mL of solution this morning
Is your refractometer recently calibrated?
If so, I would collect enough water to run your tests and take a sample to the lfs, hopefully one that uses something other than API test kits, and have them test. Compare.
Red Sea magnesium has a reputation for reading falsely high, the reviews on the hannah calcium checker seem to indicate it also has a tendency to read high.
How is your heater looking? Any deposits building up?
Hope you get it sorted sounds frustrating.
Also interesting If the instructions below weren't followed, also cant rely on the test on the freshly mixed salt - - according to the instructions:
- Prepare the quantities of salt and water for the desired salinity according to the chart.
- Use reverse osmosis (RO) water at approximately 20°C/68°F. Always add the salt to the water.
- Mix vigorously (without aeration) for 0.5 - 2 hours,
until all of the salt is dissolved and pH has stabilized
to 8.2-8.4. DO NOT mix for more than 4 hours
- Raise the water temp to 25°C/77°F and measure the s.g./
salinity with an accurate hydrometer/ refractometer. Add salt or water as necessary to achieve the desired parameters.