What kind of dosing pumps are you using? I ran your Alk numbers (5 to 14.8) on the BRS calculator with your tank volume and it would take 630 ml of recipe 1 to gain that much. So whatever you're adding is some potent stuff. I still think there must be an error on the testing side of things, either with the kit or the method. An alk increase of that much would kill almost any SPS and shock the hell out of any other coral. I'm with fishytime on this one, go get yourself some bulk chemicals, and use accurate dosing pumps. You only need two pumps, the Mag doesn't get dosed as much as the Calk and Alk, I actually use an IV bag for Mag and it works like a dream. Once you have the right hardware, go to the BRS site and follow their instructions to the letter and I guarantee you will have success.

what salt are you using?
H2Ocean is bad for settling out during transport and you must mix the salt up before using it, if you don't, your levels will be all over the place.
I do not about other salts doing the same thing

I actually do have alk brs stuff, mixed to their specs. I'm running 3 of the dosing pumps that oc sells... Can't remember the brand name. I'm sure it's a test issue... There's no way that it could jump that much that fast... Unless my controller glitched and left my alk pump on all day... But it was off when I got home.

I do use h2 ocean salt... Never had any problems before.

apparently H2Ocean uses different grain sizes for their ca, alk, and mag, and if it had a bumpy ride in the truck they settle at different levels in the pail, could be your problem.
try testing your mix before adding it to your tank.

I would recommend to everyone that they roll their buckets of salt before using them......no matter what brand you use:wink:

Doug, when you say roll... you literally just mean to take the full bucket and say roll it down the driveway a few times or what? I always wondered about an easy way to do this.

yup......roll it down the driveway......roll it down the hill.......roll some sod with it........roll it down the river........whatever floats your boat......I prefer the living room with a couple tumbles thrown in for good measure....

I put a bucket on each end of a barbell and slam out a few reps to really shake it up. :lol: