My salt mix is inconsistent

[Fishingandreefing]

It probably does, but I wasn't getting at "mixing" in the water. I meant make sure you mix the dry product thoroughly before adding it to water. That stuff can settle and have you mixing up weird ratios due to uneven distribution of contents in the bucket. I know mine does after sitting a while anyway.

what the heck

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Ya
Same issues but in cl. (560) And alk shy of 8 mag like 1500+
Same brand I have 2 buckets of this salt.. stuck with $80 of this reef crystals 2 buckets
Any one wanting it that lives in S. Fl on the east cost. $20 for both
PM me.....Blwhahahaha

I got 8!

 

[Spieg]

Rolling around a full bucket/box of salt mix does little to mix it. I usually pour it into a spare bucket and back to the original bucket a few times to mix it up good (I try to do this outside and be careful not to breathe the dust though).

 

[Pistondog]

So about 2 years ago I switched over to coralife
I have tested a few times on its alkalinity and I always got about 8-9dkh.

however, today I have tested it twice, I got 11.8 and 11.9 at 1.025 salinity.

I have verified the Hanna checker with the calibration fluid and it was still within range.

I checked it with my tank water and I got 8.4, which it was expected.

I want to stay away from IO because it mixes dirty and reef crystals are know to be have high alk.

I would like to keep my alk at around 8, what salt do you all recommend at a price point of $40-50 for a bucket of 150g????

Aquaforest reef salt mixes around 8 dkh. I like it because it is synthetic and batch tested for consistency.

 

[lilgrounchuck]

Rolling around a full bucket/box of salt mix does little to mix it. I usually pour it into a spare bucket and back to the original bucket a few times to mix it up good (I try to do this outside and be careful not to breathe the dust though).

That's what I wound up doing with buckets. Since I switched to RC I just buy the box now and it comes in bags, so it's much easier to manage.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Rolling around a full bucket/box of salt mix does little to mix it. I usually pour it into a spare bucket and back to the original bucket a few times to mix it up good (I try to do this outside and be careful not to breathe the dust though).

Might have to lol

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Might have to lol

I do weekly water changes, do you do that every time before you add salt to the rodi? That can be pain in the butt lol

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Now I am very disappointed in coralife salt. I hope this is just a bad bucket. I will test it out on a brand new bucket tomorrow and see.

already sent them an email about this and will keep you guys posted.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

No signs of precipitation. Tested 3 times and confirmed it with the Hanna calibration fluid

 

[Fishingandreefing]

So I just mixed this for about 2 hours and same, high as hell.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Just verified again with the calibration fluid, and it’s within range.

 

[X-37B]

I just switched from esv 4 part to instant ocean.
It mixed up at 11.5. I run my systems at 7-7.5.
I just drop the alk using sodium bisulfate.
Use an airstone and monitor ph as it will drop to 7ish.
After a few hours it will be back in range once the co2 is gone. I run a strong powerhead also.

I have used this method even with the esv as it has an alk of 9.5.
Very simple.
Also mine mixed up clear. With IO it is better to add the salt in small amounts and wait till it disolves and then add more.
It will mix faster this way.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I just switched from esv 4 part to instant ocean.
It mixed up at 11.5. I run my systems at 7-7.5.
I just drop the alk using sodium bisulfate.
Use an airstone and monitor ph as it will drop to 7ish.
After a few hours it will be back in range once the co2 is gone. I run a strong powerhead also.

I have used this method even with the esv as it has an alk of 9.5.
Very simple.
Also mine mixed up clear. With IO it is better to add the salt in small amounts and wait till it disolves and then add more.
It will mix faster this way.

So you have to add SB and check your alk every time you mix water? If so THATS TOO much work! Hopefully it was me that I didn’t mix it up good enough that cause this high alk. So again, I will shake it up really good on a brand new bucket and keep everyone here posted.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Just verified my checker and it was within range. Then mixed up half bucket and give me even higher number. So definitely it wasn’t sitting in the bucket too long that cause this problem. Plus, I mixed it only few days ago.

 

[Mike konesky]

Always had coralife mix at the listed parameters. Mixes dirty and always low low mag. Sounds like a bad batch.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Always had coralife mix at the listed parameters. Mixes dirty and always low low mag. Sounds like a bad batch.

Hopefully only that bucket.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

So I flipped a new bucket of salt over a few times and rolled on the floor back and forth. Then opened it, poured it to a clean empty salt bucket, then poured it back to the new salt bucket. Repeated it few times and make sure it was throughly mixed.

I mixed 1g of rodi with about 1/2 then finally came to 1.025. Tested it and it’s 12.6dkh what the heck!!!!!!!!

According to their spec, it should be around 9.

yes I calibrated my refractometer and double checked my Hanna checker and it was all within range. (Rodi was 1tds)

note: the 8.6 was from my 120g tank water so that I am not smoking. what the heck

 

[Fishingandreefing]

What’s my best option now? How’s coralife customer service on stuffs like this?

 

[Sven57]

So you have to add SB and check your alk every time you mix water? If so THATS TOO much work! Hopefully it was me that I didn’t mix it up good enough that cause this high alk. So again, I will shake it up really good on a brand new bucket and keep everyone here posted.

So I just finished a bucket of IO purple.
Alk 10.5
Ca 420
Mag 1350

Opened a second bucket an what the heck.
Alk 8.5
Ca 280
Mag 850.

I took the bucket and poured it into another 2-3 times stirring each 1/2 bucket between.

I was making my usual 18g monthly water change and had to add alot of CA and Mag to get it inline.

Mixed another 4g after mixing again and same results.

I will not be using that bucket and may go back to ESV or try another that mixes around 8/420/1350.

Thoughts as I have heard of issues but have used IO in the past without problems.