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Salt Levels
I was just testing my tank water and my levels are low. Now they have never been what they are supposed to be but these are lower then before. I am using instant ocean and just wanted to know if people think I should get another bucket of salt. I have about a third left in the current bucket. (Salifert Tests)
cal 290 mg 990 Kh 7 |
If thats what its testing at freshly made, I wouldnt be using that salt thats for sure. But I don't use instant ocean to start with.
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That was tank water. I just tested a fresh batch of water with the following results:
Cal 300 Kh 8.9 Mg 990 |
How old are your test kits ? I am not sure that io levels are out of pail but 990 seems lower than what they would aim for.
How big is your tank, what's in it for corals. I take it your not supplementing your levels. |
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How often are you doing water changes? I would do something different either supplement levels or change salt brands. I personally never cared for instant ocean in my reefs but more my opinion lots use it with great success. But you will want to aim for 7-12 kh 390-430 ca and 1300 mg if you can keep your levels around there you'll save/ prevent future problems. Raise them up slowly to not shock anything.
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So are you using Instant Ocean or Instant Ocean Reef Crystals?
Regular IO levels are lower then IORC, I have only used IORC in my reef tanks and the last batch levels where pretty decent, Cal 400, Mag 1380 and Alk 8. |
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Just my opinion for what its worth, being that you have a small tank it might work out cheaper to use IORC and supplement the small amounts of Cal & Mag required.
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In talking to IO directly, they state the Ca should test out between 350 and 420. I've rarely had it 420, but once in a while over 400. Usually 370ish.
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I am going to give H2Ocean a try, if it meets its listed levels it should be all I will need. I am not sure who sells reef crystals in Vancouver. I will be sure to check fresh made water levels before I add it this time. |
Just a little update. I changed salt to h2ocean and my levels are slowly getting to normal. Just tested a fresh batch of water results as follow:
410 cal 10.2 kh 1230 mg |
Have you mixed up your salt, smaller particles and supplements will fall to the bottom. Just a thought!!
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so simple to supplement your salt mix if need
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I would suggest that if you don't want to mess around with dosing yet that you switch to a more reef-suitable salt. H2Ocean is affordable, yet very good right out of the bucket. It's a tad low in magnesium, but it's passable. If you want to stick with the Instant Ocean you can buy a tub of calcium and magnesium and add those to the freshly mixed saltwater before adding it to your tank. I used to do this, and if I recall correctly, I used to add 80 mL dry calcium carbonate and 180 mL dry magnesium chloride to 15 gallons of freshly mixed saltwater to get the numbers to come out correct.
EDIT: I didn't read the second page before posting. Good to hear the H2Ocean is working out for you! :D |
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