Salt switching - advice please

RaymondL · Jul 2, 2023

I'm currently using Instant Ocean Reef salt, and am considering switching out to a salt(Red Sea Coral Pro), which has different parameters (dkH, Ca, and Mg) - should I gradually be bringing up these values in my reef tank to a level that is in line with the new salt mixture first and for at least a week before switching over? One significant jump is the dkh: currently with the existing salt, I'm getting around 8.1dkh, the new salt says it delivers a 11.5 dkh.

I've never switched salts before, and I want to be sure I do this correctly and not risk losing anything.

Thanks

gbroadbridge · Jul 2, 2023

RaymondL said:
I'm currently using Instant Ocean Reef salt, and am considering switching out to a salt(Red Sea Coral Pro), which has different parameters (dkH, Ca, and Mg) - should I gradually be bringing up these values in my reef tank to a level that is in line with the new salt mixture first and for at least a week before switching over? One significant jump is the dkh: currently with the existing salt, I'm getting around 8.1dkh, the new salt says it delivers a 11.5 dkh.

I've never switched salts before, and I want to be sure I do this correctly and not risk losing anything.

Thanks

Just do your regular water changes with the new salt.

Over time the parameters will end up at the new levels.

homer1475 · Jul 2, 2023

I would first be asking why the dkh is so low in the mix? Regular io, and even reef crystals mix to a much higher level from the bucket.

Are you sure your Salinity is correct?

Mr. Mojo Rising · Jul 2, 2023

Just keep doing your regular 10%-20% water change, such a small percentage doesn't affect anything.

RaymondL · Jul 2, 2023

homer1475 said:
I would first be asking why the dkh is so low in the mix? Regular io, and even reef crystals mix to a much higher level from the bucket.

Are you sure your Salinity is correct?

I'm curious what should it be? 100% the salinity is correct - I use 2 reliable instruments to check and both are spot on.