Salt Levels

[Wretch]

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

[Slyguy00]

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.

[Wretch]

That was tank water. I just tested a fresh batch of water with the following results:

Cal 300
Kh 8.9
Mg 990

[BlueTang<3]

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.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by BlueTang<3

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.

Test kits are brand new. Tank is 54g. Not supplementing levels. As for corals I have zoas/palys, hammer, torch, and frogspawn.

[BlueTang<3]

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.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by BlueTang<3

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.

I do 5g water changes once a week. I think I will toss the rest of this salt and buy H2Ocean then. I don't want to have to supplement my levels. Off to J&L tomorrow I guess.

[The Grizz]

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.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

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.

Just using regular instant ocean salt.

[The Grizz]

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.