Red Sea Blue Bucket mixing low?

[TripFamAZ]

Just looking for some feedback from anyone that might have experience with or heard of Red Sea Blue bucket mixing low on ALK?
I'm fairly confident in my mixing and testing over the years so I was super surprised when chasing some low ALK in my tanks come to test my freshly mixed saltwater and it comes back 6.5 twice. Open a brand new bucket, brand new Hanna reagent SAME results. Same temps... what gives?

While I don't necessarily want to switch salts I feel like what I'm currently using is unstable.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Opinions?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Are you mixing it the same way as always?

 

[TripFamAZ]

Are you mixing it the same way as always?

Yes zero changes except weather but we have AC so should be a non issue.

 

[fish_collector]

I've got no experience with RS blue bucket salt so take my post with a grain of salt...pun intended lol

I personally never measure alk when I mix new salt water but I realize that some do. If you find you must have higher alk in your fresh salt water just add some baking soda until it's where you want it.

 

[Marco_99]

What are you testing the salinity with and at what salinity are you mixing to

 

[keada714]

I’m having the same issue with my red sea blue bucket. I just mixed a 3 g batch for my water change and I’m getting the following below. Note I’m using a TM hydrometer for salinity and salifert for the other parameters. I have rolled that blue bucket prior to mixing and using a 5g bucket with a strong return pump at the bottom to mix for 60-90mins. For the price of this salt I would think it be more consistent with that they’re advertising.

Salinity - 1.027sg
Alk - 7
Cal - 375
Mag - 1155