SG Spiking again!

[jhadaway]

A few times now, my SG has spiked and I can't explain why. I blamed Part C or maybe too many brine shrimp cubes, but this time I'm dumbfounded. Hoping somebody can give me a clue. My tank is 3 years mature now. It's a waterbox 100.3. A while back I switched over from All4Reef to BRS 2 Part with PartC because I was using so much All4Reef and it was getting to be really expensive. That's when the SG yo-yo started. Now I'm working on my new tank so I haven't done a water change in 4 weeks. The SG has climbed from 1.025 to 1.035. No water changes! No salt falling from the sky. I dose alk and cal 1:1 and double the amount of PartC, just like the instructions say. Trace elements A & K are added to the Calcium and Alkalinity. I dose 3ml of Mag a day.
So the riddle is, how does salty water get more salty without adding salt? Unless I can figure this out, I'm dumping the 2 part and going to something else. It's hard finding the time to take care of this tank while I set up a new one let alone deal with salinity spikes. I've lost some of my hammers in the last few days from this.

I'm hoping Randy can help me on this!

Thanks,
JOe

 

[TheDuude]

I'm assuming you have an ATO and are consistently replacing evap water with fresh rodi.

That aside what are you using to check salinity? Have you verified your measurement device against another?

I have definitely seen 2 part increase salinity but in my experience its a very slow creep up over months not a fast rise like you have described

 

[Peer.Boerner]

I’ll defer to Randy, but Remember 2 part raises salinity over time requiring the tank water to be periodically diluted. That’s what the balling method is designed to support. The third part gradually raises various minerals so that the dilution doesn’t reduce those.

 

[jhadaway]

I though that using 2part with PartC kept that salinity creep from happening. Maybe I missed something. Is there a set ration that I should be using daily to dilute the tank water. I've been lucky I haven't crashed the tank.

and thanks for the help.

 

[Slider162]

I'm using Tropic Marin Balling, but assume it is similar. Part A and B alone would slowly raise salinity. Part C sort of keeps salinity stable. But I wouldn't expect any rapid changes to salinity nor would it get that high.

• How much of each part are you dosing?
• What are you using to measure salinity?
• What ATO are you using?
• Any chance you are topping of with salt water?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I though that using 2part with PartC kept that salinity creep from happening. Maybe I missed something. Is there a set ration that I should be using daily to dilute the tank water. I've been lucky I haven't crashed the tank.

and thanks for the help.

Any tank should have an auto-top off to replace evaporated water. As water evaporates, the salt content in the water gets more concentrated so the salinity increases, so freshwater has to constantly be added to maintain the salinity. If no ATO, then draw a line on your tank where the water surface is, and every day refill the freshwater back up to that line. But IMO every tank should have an ATO.

 

[KStatefan]

Both will raise salinity over time. The balling method includes the parts c so when you adjust you salinity back down everything stays in balance.

How much are you dosing?

You would have to be dosing a lot to get that 40% increase in 4 weeks.
1 dkh per day is around a 30% yearly increase

 

[jhadaway]

I'm assuming you have an ATO and are consistently replacing evap water with fresh rodi.

That aside what are you using to check salinity? Have you verified your measurement device against another?

I have definitely seen 2 part increase salinity but in my experience its a very slow creep up over months not a fast rise like you have described

I use a standard refractometer an calibrate it with BRS's solution. The water I put into the tank for a water change is dead on and a measure again after a water change. I have a 13gallon at work. It uses all4reef, no salinity creep. I don't have a second device.

 

[jhadaway]

Both will raise salinity over time. The balling method includes the parts c so when you adjust you salinity back down everything stays in balance.

How much are you dosing?

You would have to be dosing a lot to get that 40% increase in 4 weeks.
1 dkh per day is around a 30% yearly increase

Man, I'm dosing for at least 3+ dkh per day. 260ml range for alk and calc. 520ml for PartC. Tank is overgrown with SPS.

 

[jhadaway]

I'm using a Duetto for an ATO from a 6 stage RODI. 0 TDS. No chance of topping off with saltwater. TM A and K are mixing in Cal and Alk at 300ml per gallon.

 

[KStatefan]

Man, I'm dosing for at least 3+ dkh per day. 260ml range for alk and calc. Tank is overgrown with SPS.

But that is not enough for your 40% increase in 4 weeks.

 

[jhadaway]

But that is not enough for your 40% increase in 4 weeks.

I'm with you on that. I have no idea what's going on. Also, my last water change was about 30%. This keeps me up at night. This is the 4th time it's happened I think, only after I switched to BRS 2 Part with Balling. I'll be starting up with Kalk on the new tank to minimize the 2part. Live sand is going in this week. I will definitely start looking at alternatives. Something strange i going on.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

A few comments. No fish foods raise salinity noticeable.

Part C and the other parts of the two part do raise salinity. But not as much as noticed here. Adding 1.1 dKH per day boosts salinity about 30% in a year.

Test error is a good possibility. I’d recalibrate with a 35 ppt standard.

 

[jhadaway]

I calibrated with the BRS liquid to 35 last night and it was really close. I think it might be time for a new refractometer. I'll order that and we'll see what happens.

Thanks everyone!
JOe

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

While not a likely source of ups and downs, a number of folks have reported that standard unreliable. I’d suggest making your own.

 

[jhadaway]

While not a likely source of ups and downs, a number of folks have reported that standard unreliable. I’d suggest making your own.

I'm guessing you have a page on the site for that?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

lol

Yes.

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards By Randy Holmes-Farley One of the most important issues facing marine aquarists is providing a suitable environment for their aquaria's inhabitants. Among the important properties for a marine...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[jhadaway]

I did buy another refractometer and it reads the same. Here's my theory, since I'm taking Randy's word that 2 part shouldn't have done it. My HW Marine salt is about 1 year old. I bought a bunch at 40 percent off before the new tank came. Since it sat for almost a year and a half, the salt lasted a long time. I noticed white flecks floating around in it the last few months on new batches. I just decided to fill the tank during a water change into the filter sock and pull it. I also have the habit of dumping in everything left in the mixing can. I do 24 gallon water changes and I always run a circ pump. I'm guessing that the older salt isn't mixing as well and there's something concentrated at the bottom of the bin. It doesn't make a ton of sense but it's all I've got. I'm going to retest after the water change from here on out and I have a new batch of salt. I'm going to have to fast track moving coral into the new tank. Building a new one while taking care of another tank is a bit too much.
I will look through Randy's page eventually. Gotta be a better way than these refractometers. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, dissolved salts do not settle or concentration whether stirred or not.

What do you believe the salinity is today?

How did you calibrate the refractometer?

 

[jhadaway]

I used the brs calibration fluid. Both refractometers read identical. Ive got it down to 1.028 or so. Doing a few gallons a day. I’ve lost some hammers.