Red Sea salt blue bucket parameters?

[dieselkeeper]

I have 210 gal mixed reef. I've added 5 new fish. Nitrates and phosphates have gone up more then I like. Nitrates was at 24 ppm, phosphates was at 0.14. I did 30 gallon water change for the last 3 weeks. A total of 90 gallons using Red Sea blue bucket. Calcium and mag has been falling. So I tested new saltwater that has been mixed for over 24 hours. Mag tested at 1110 and calcium at 370. Alk tested at 8.0. I used this salt because all 3 parameters tested very close to where I like them and where most reefers keep their tank. I just purchased a new bucket yesterday which I will be returning.

My question is, which salt has parameters that are not low to where dosing the new saltwater is necessary? This should not be something I need to do

 

[rtparty]

When all three are low, your salinity is low

 

[dieselkeeper]

No, I keep salinity at 1.025 -1.026. So mix the new saltwater to that.

The salt i just tested to find low parameters is at 1.025

 

[rtparty]

No, I keep salinity at 1.025 -1.026. So mix the new saltwater to that.

The salt i just tested to find low parameters is at 1.025

Are you using a refractometer? If so, how was it calibrated? Hopefully not with the bottle solutions. They are unreliable.

Look up Randy’s diy solution and make it. It’s just RO water and table salt.

How do you mix your salt? Do you weigh the salt or use scoops/cups?

 

[dieselkeeper]

 

[ChiCity]

a hydrometer would be a good reference to check that milwaukee against

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If it is a true sg = 1.025, raising salinity to 35 ppt (sg = 1.0264) will boost the calcium from 370 to 391 ppm and mag at 1110 to 1172 ppm.

I personally would not have much confidence in the magnesium test result. I do not plan to test it at all.

 

[rtparty]

If salinity is correct, have you mixed the bucket before using?

If it is a batch with low parameters and you want to switch, I have found NYOS salt to be super consistent and reliable. I definitely prefer it over Red Sea salt myself

 

[dieselkeeper]

If salinity is correct, have you mixed the bucket before using?

If it is a batch with low parameters and you want to switch, I have found NYOS salt to be super consistent and reliable. I definitely prefer it over Red Sea salt myself

Yes these are test from new saltwater from the bucket using Salifert.

 

[dieselkeeper]

Are you using a refractometer? If so, how was it calibrated? Hopefully not with the bottle solutions. They are unreliable.

Look up Randy’s diy solution and make it. It’s just RO water and table salt.

How do you mix your salt? Do you weigh the salt or use scoops/cups?

I just add salt until desired salinity is achieved. It is mixed by 50 gallons at a time. It is all used because I do water changes on 3 tanks.

 

[rishma]

Mine was reading slightly low in the past. Making a calibration solution is a good idea.

 

[DanyL]

I highly doubt your salinity test results are correct.
Red Sea salt was and still is quite consistent over the years.

You can also view the ICP test results on their site for your batch of salt using the serial number under the lid.

 

[rtparty]

The Milwaukee has a margin of error of +-.002

So 1.025 is something between 1.023 and 1.027

 

[DanyL]

The Milwaukee has a margin of error of +-.002

So 1.025 is something between 1.023 and 1.027

Taking into account it was calibrated correctly to begin with.

 

[dieselkeeper]

Taking into account it was calibrated correctly to begin with.

Using my RO water to calibrate is not good?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Using my RO water to calibrate is not good?

It’s required for that device, but is not very good at ensuring accuracy at 35 ppt. It’s an imperfect analogy, but one would not calibrate a scale for weighing a person with a 100 gram weight.

 

[dieselkeeper]

It’s required for that device, but is not very good at ensuring accuracy at 35 ppt. It’s an imperfect analogy, but one would not calibrate a scale for weighing a person with a 100 gram weight.

So how do I calibrate for accuracy if RO doesn't do it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So how do I calibrate for accuracy if RO doesn't do it?

Calibrate with ro as required by the electronics. Then check the accuracy with a 35 ppt standard. You can then manually make any corrections that may be needed.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This has a diy standard:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/

 

[DanyL]

Calibrate with ro as required by the electronics. Then check the accuracy with a 35 ppt standard. You can then manually make any corrections that may be needed.

Is the Milwaukee really lack support for calibration at a set point? Seems very limiting to me.