Problem with alk/salt issue

[allof fish]

Just set up a brand new tank upgrade and moving everything over from old tank to new today. Have lots of bio media so it will be cycled fine. Just tested water to match everything up and alk was 5.8 and 5.9. Used Hanna checker. No chance this is correct right? Using Red Sea blue bucket. Never used this salt before. Salinity is 1.025. Bucket should mix around 8 how’s this possible??? Reagent is good tested other tank other day and was 8.8. Have to add maybe a gallon or so of more water to sump but no way that’s the reason. Any explanations?? Need to make sure it’s right before switching everything

 

[allof fish]

Just test a new small batch and got 6.2! No way it’s the Hanna checker right. If it’s the salt I’m never buying this garbage again. I see why Red Sea going downhill for everything.

 

[martin.a]

There is anecdotal evidence that salt mixes separate in transport. Maybe take a sample from e.g. bottom of the bucket or box, and retest. Or possibly, your salinity meter may be off.

 

[exnisstech]

I can't comment on the salt as I've only used IO purple which mixes around 9 dkH.
Any chance you can take a sample to a LFS for testing? I'm not a fan of having multiple testing methods because it can lead to to tail chasing but I do keep a salifert test kit just in case I get a really strange reading on my hanna. Some report big difference between Hanna and salifert but mine have always been with 0.2 - 0.3 between the two the few times I have compared them.

 

[allof fish]

There is anecdotal evidence that salt mixes separate in transport. Maybe take a sample from e.g. bottom of the bucket or box, and retest. Or possibly, your salinity meter may be off.

I’ve basically used the whole bucket I’m all the way at the bottom. I searched up the batch number says 8.2. Salinity is good I’ve tested it and calibrated and even if it was off by like .3-.5 it still should be that low I would think.

 

[allof fish]

I can't comment on the salt as I've only used IO purple which mixes around 9 dkH.
Any chance you can take a sample to a LFS for testing? I'm not a fan of having multiple testing methods because it can lead to to tail chasing but I do keep a salifert test kit just in case I get a really strange reading on my hanna. Some report big difference between Hanna and salifert but mine have always been with 0.2 - 0.3 between the two the few times I have compared them.

I’m gonan have to. Just another rock in my shoe as I have to transfer everything from old house today but have to correct this before anything live goes in. I used the Hanna on other tank other day and was good always around 8.6-9 and was right there.

 

[Fish Fan]

Just set up a brand new tank upgrade and moving everything over from old tank to new today. Have lots of bio media so it will be cycled fine. Just tested water to match everything up and alk was 5.8 and 5.9. Used Hanna checker. No chance this is correct right? Using Red Sea blue bucket. Never used this salt before. Salinity is 1.025. Bucket should mix around 8 how’s this possible??? Reagent is good tested other tank other day and was 8.8. Have to add maybe a gallon or so of more water to sump but no way that’s the reason. Any explanations?? Need to make sure it’s right before switching everything

Have you confirmed that your refractometer or salinity tester is in good working order and properly calibrated? If it's out of calibration, that could explain the seemingly low Alk. This article by Randy may be helpful here:

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards By Randy Holmes-Farley One of the most important issues facing marine aquarists is providing a suitable environment for their aquaria's inhabitants. Among the important properties for a marine...

www.reef2reef.com

Good luck!

 

[allof fish]

Have you confirmed that your refractometer or salinity tester is in good working order and properly calibrated? If it's out of calibration, that could explain the seemingly low Alk. This article by Randy may be helpful here:

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards By Randy Holmes-Farley One of the most important issues facing marine aquarists is providing a suitable environment for their aquaria's inhabitants. Among the important properties for a marine...

www.reef2reef.com

Good luck!

I calibrated it with to water as I don’t have calibration solution. Just took sample to lfs salinity was .24 so a little lower than I want but alk still 6.6 and calcium 360. Must’ve been a bad batch. Won’t buy that salt again. The little low salinity won’t affect it that much when batch should be 8.2

 

[Fish Fan]

I calibrated it with to water as I don’t have calibration solution. Just took sample to lfs salinity was .24 so a little lower than I want but alk still 6.6 and calcium 360. Must’ve been a bad batch. Won’t buy that salt again. The little low salinity won’t affect it that much when batch should be 8.2

The link I provided has an easy recipe to make your own calibration solution from just regular Morton's kitchen salt and a decent kitchen scale or even measuring spoons

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Have you used this batch of Hanna reagents and ever seen higher values for new salt water?