Reef crystals alkalinity

[Jrswish]

I thought reef crystals was supposed to have higher alk? Every water change it's at 1.026 salinity with 8.0Alk

 

[Reefer Matt]

I thought reef crystals was supposed to have higher alk? Every water change it's at 1.026 salinity with 8.0Alk

Usually it’s 10.5-11 dkh for me. I have to add an acid to lower it down to 8.5 dkh. What test kit are you using?

 

[UMALUM]

I've seen it precipitate down to the 8s if mixed to quick or in warm water.

 

[Jrswish]

Usually it’s 10.5-11 dkh for me. I have to add an acid to lower it down to 8.5 dkh. What test kit are you using?

salifert

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, high alk mixes drop in alk if calcium carbonate precipitation happens in the mixing container.

 

[Jrswish]

Yes, high alk mixes drop in alk if calcium carbonate precipitation happens in the mixing container.

How to avoid this or a fix?

 

[UMALUM]

If your test kit is accurate your obviously doing something wrong. How are you mixing it and at what temp?

 

[Jrswish]

77 degrees, and 5 gallon bucket with 0tds ro/di water. I usually mix it for 2 hours

 

[twentyleagues]

77 degrees, and 5 gallon bucket with 0tds ro/di water. I usually mix it for 2 hours

Is there precipitation on your mixing pump impeller? or heater?
I never had this issue in the past. I would mix up a whole box at a time and keep it heated and moving for about 4-6 weeks. Since I have gotten back in it happens every time I mix a bag if I dont use it within a week or two. My heater gets precipitate covering and my impeller does also. I am ok with it because I have been keeping my tank at a lower dkh 8-9. But near weeks 3-4 the drop is more than that.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How to avoid this or a fix?

Use cold water, use it soon after making it.

 

[Jrswish]

Use cold water, use it soon after making it.

Shouldnt u temp acclimated the water to match ur tank? or am i wrong

 

[PharmrJohn]

Yes, high alk mixes drop in alk if calcium carbonate precipitation happens in the mixing container.

How often does this happen (generally)? I'm planning on using NYOS and keeping my ALK around 11.

 

[fish_collector]

To be honest I've never check the alk on freshly mixed water. I live in Phoenix and cold water doesn't exist out of the tap for 8 months of the year lol. I just mixed up 30 gallons yesterday and there is always some white scaly residue in my mixing container, I guess this is the calcium precipitation that Randy mentioned. It has never caused any issues with my SPS dominant tanks. I'll have to test the alk the next time I mix water, and maybe even spike it with some 2 part if necessary. Good topic.

 

[exnisstech]

Shouldnt u temp acclimated the water to match ur tank? or am i wrong

This is only neccesarry if doing large water changes. 10-20% I've never bothered heating it. Water temp is constantly fluctuating on reefs a little as tides come and go.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Shouldnt u temp acclimated the water to match ur tank? or am i wrong

Depends on how you use the water. For small changes in an awc, no heating is needed. If you do bigger changes, you can also wait to heat it until you are ready to use it.

 

[robottaway]

77 degrees, and 5 gallon bucket with 0tds ro/di water. I usually mix it for 2 hours

Same setup here. I mix about half cup slowly, wait an hour repeat until close then I get out the tablespoon do the same until I am dialed in. I keep the mixing pump on for 24-48 hours and let it all settle in. I always have some crud on the bottom. Dkh 9.8-10 with red sea and api tests.

 

[Jrswish]

Depends on how you use the water. For small changes in an awc, no heating is needed. If you do bigger changes, you can also wait to heat it until you are ready to use it.

Copy thanks man

 

[Jrswish]

I did a fresh batch of 5 gallons, alkalinity is at 9.6 now! I didn't use a heater at all, I also mixed the salt up a lot in the bucket first! thanks for everyones input.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sounds good.

Happy reefing. :)

 

[skiergd011013]

Use cold water, use it soon after making it.

Well, that answers my question. I just tested a 5 gallon bucket of RC that has been mixing for almost a week........7.3dkh. And yes, i can see some sludge on the pump and heater. It is also heated to 80. The last time i measured my rc water, it was 10+. So, i should mix it and use it on the same day, or just not heat it?