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Alk match (1 Viewer)

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Erin

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So when everyone mixes Make-up water, do you test and match tank alk or is the water change not large enough to make a difference?
Usually I've tested the tank prior to a water change (10-20%) and use the addition of new water to adjust parameters-- slowly of course. My salt mix on its own isn't going to make much difference in my tank. But if i decide to use baking soda (raises ph and alk), i find mixing it in with the new water is a good way to not shock anything.
 

RobertP

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If you pick a salt that somewhat matches your alkalinity it makes life easier. The other nice thing about this is in the event of an emergency and you needed to do a 50% water change, your new water should match your existing tank parameters. But there are plenty of people who use whatever salt is cheap and just adjust the newly mixed water before adding to the tank.
You should be checking your mixed water prior to adding it to your tank but I don't always check it if I am in the same bucket. I TRY to check if for any new buckets to make sure the parameters are as advertised.
 
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I match temp and SG but Red Sea mixes to 8.0 (supposedly) and RS Coral Pro to 12 I don’t know anyone that keeps their alk that low or that high. A 5g bucket is like a 35% or more WC for me so either I will have to lower the amount or adjust closer to tank parameters. I was just curious if I was just being ocd and how everyone else is addressing that, if at all.
 

steveb

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A lot of SPS tanks are kept in the 7-8 range. The coloring is usually much better when at that level.

I shoot for 8. I use auto water change (AWS). I use Reef Crystals which mixes way too high for my use ($45/bucket vs. some of the lower Alk which come in at nearly twice the price).

So I use SeaChem Acid Buffer to reduce Alkalinity.


My process when I mix a new vat (70g) of salt.
mix salt - let it run for 1 hour
add seachem acid buffer let it run over night to blow off CO2.
pump from mixing vat into storage vat for AWS to use.
 

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I was aiming higher to around 9 but may adjust to around 8. So RSCP is made so is can be buffered down to desired levels? I don’t know anyone that keeps 12dhk..
 

steveb

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Any of the high Alk salt mixes can be buffered down (muratic acid or seachem acid buffer). I have both but like the seachem product from a safety perspective.
 

RobertP

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I match temp and SG but Red Sea mixes to 8.0 (supposedly) and RS Coral Pro to 12 I don’t know anyone that keeps their alk that low or that high. A 5g bucket is like a 35% or more WC for me so either I will have to lower the amount or adjust closer to tank parameters. I was just curious if I was just being ocd and how everyone else is addressing that, if at all.
The big coral growers in the US are running closer to 8...at least they were there last time I checked. I have been really happy with 8-8.5.
 

guylaga

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My system volume comes to about 140 gallons or so, and I try to keep alk at 9.0

I use RC right now only because its the cheapest that I can get on Amazon and the current batch I have is mixing right around 8.

I will add a bit of soda ash mixed with some RODI to bring it up so I am a littler closer, but dont get that picky about matching.
 

steveb

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I use RC right now only because its the cheapest that I can get on Amazon and the current batch I have is mixing right around 8.

That is crazy. Their target # is 11dkh. I guess I should start checking after I mix the salt prior to adding acid buffer rather than assuming its close to that.
 
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A lot of SPS tanks are kept in the 7-8 range. The coloring is usually much better when at that level.

I shoot for 8. I use auto water change (AWS). I use Reef Crystals which mixes way too high for my use ($45/bucket vs. some of the lower Alk which come in at nearly twice the price).

So I use SeaChem Acid Buffer to reduce Alkalinity.


My process when I mix a new vat (70g) of salt.
mix salt - let it run for 1 hour
add seachem acid buffer let it run over night to blow off CO2.
pump from mixing vat into storage vat for AWS to use.
Exactly what I use. I always match Alk within .5 dKH.
 

BigRick

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I let my salt mix for minimum 24hrs before adjusting salinity and alk, also raise the temp ...
 

guylaga

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That is crazy. Their target # is 11dkh. I guess I should start checking after I mix the salt prior to adding acid buffer rather than assuming its close to that.
Yep! I always test before hand just to make sure.

The previous bucket was up at 11 which was more in line with what I expected.

They always have crazy high CA also... I'm around 490-500 right now.
 

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If you have your alk and cal dosing stable won't your tank cal and alk naturally match your salt water eventually as long as you use the same salt all the time?
 

steveb

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Yes. I actually watched the Alk/Ca/Mg rise when I first started using Reef Crystals vs. regular IO. I started using acid to knock the Alk in the reef crystals down.

I’ve started buying regular IO again but have 1 more bucket of reef crystals to use up.

it is beyond me why these manufacturers make salt with such high numbers on the big 3.
 
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Thanks for all the info guys. I will try to adjust my new SW Alk along with temp and SG to match the tank. Alk is a moving target for me anyways somehow 🙄.
 
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