Reef crystal salt help!

[Jaybeastin]

How do you guys keep your ALK low with reef crystal? I try to maintain 8 ALK for my tank but it’s hard to do so after a water change. Reef crystal will bump my 8 ALK to 9 after a 10% water change . Any tips please?

 

[Tahoe61]

Why don't you just switch over to another salt mix or shoot for 9 dkh consistently.

Reef Salt Mix - Aquarium Salt Mix Parameters

Picking the best reef salt mix depends on much more than brand. It can affect all parameters in your reef and is an important decisions for existing reef tanks.

reefstable.com

Lowering DKH In Newly Mixed Salt Water

I am using IO salt, and wanted to lower DKH to 8.4, what additives can you add to your new salt mix to lower it? Also is there any calculators for this, and any risks to livestock? Thanks

www.reef2reef.com

 

[56longroof]

Why are you trying to keep it at 8 dkh? Just curious. I run mine 9-9.5 with no issues.

 

[Miami Reef]

You can use muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate to reduce alkalinity in salt mixes. Aerate heavily for a day to off-gas the excess CO2.

Sodium Bisulfate to Reduce Alkalinity in New Salt Water or in Display Tanks

I just want to record these calculations in their own thread to refer back to in other threads. When alkalinity is too high in new salt water or in a display tank, acid can be used to lower the alkalinity. You can easily use muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid), or sodium bifulfate (e.g...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jaybeastin]

Why don't you just switch over to another salt mix or shoot for 9 dkh consistently.

Reef Salt Mix - Aquarium Salt Mix Parameters

Picking the best reef salt mix depends on much more than brand. It can affect all parameters in your reef and is an important decisions for existing reef tanks.

reefstable.com

Lowering DKH In Newly Mixed Salt Water

I am using IO salt, and wanted to lower DKH to 8.4, what additives can you add to your new salt mix to lower it? Also is there any calculators for this, and any risks to livestock? Thanks

www.reef2reef.com

I like how consistent it mixes so far. I might have to switch over to Red Sea blue bucket again

 

[Jaybeastin]

Why are you trying to keep it at 8 dkh? Just curious. I run mine 9-9.5 with no issues.

It was running 8 for awhile , ever since I made the switch my corals are ticked with the higher dkh lol

 

[56longroof]

It was running 8 for awhile , ever since I made the switch my corals are ticked with the higher dkh lol

Interesting. When I bumped mine up I notice more growth.

 

[UMALUM]

How do you guys keep your ALK low with reef crystal? I try to maintain 8 ALK for my tank but it’s hard to do so after a water change. Reef crystal will bump my 8 ALK to 9 after a 10% water change . Any tips please?

It's impossible for reef crystals or any other mix to raise your alk that much after a 10% change. The math just doesn't support it. As 56 mentioned there's nothing wrong with running 9.5 and I think your also mistaken with the conclusion that 9 is upsetting your coral. I really wouldn't worry about 10% of 10.5 going in to 8 or 9 to be honest just make the adjustment with your dose on that particular day, week, month.