The Journal Of A Marine Beginner

[sophos9]

After the tank has settled at 1.025, what happens if I need to bring the alkalinity up, whats the best product to use?

 

[SkiFletch]

Baking soda... Have you read Randy Holmes-Farley's two part additive system article? If not, go to the realm of knowledge, page 2, I've posted the link there

 

[sophos9]

Hi, with the size of my tank and bioload, it looks like the best option is a 2-part like Saliferts All in One or Tropic Marin Triple Buffer - do you agree?

 

[SkiFletch]

Those both work. Albeit expensive options...

 

[sophos9]

Those both work. Albeit expensive options...

Thats great news, will try aeriating next to a window tonight to remove excess CO2 from the equation....

 

[sophos9]

Set up a test last night to eliminate CO2 from the equation...

I put the bucket of fresh salty next to a wide open window all night (wind was blowing in something rotten) with aeriation and temp control

Fresh Salt Batch - 7.56PH
Tank - 7.83PH

Now the tank was measured the same time yesterday and was 7.6PH, this morning has risen by 0.2PH. I've changed 3 things, the surface agitation, SG is up .001 and I'm running the hood extract for several hours through the night. Will measure post photoperiod and see what the difference is tonight

I backed these up with a Salifert PH test which said it fell in that range. Whats going on the with salt batch, driving off CO2 should increase PH not decrease???

 

[sophos9]

I know that people have said it should not be the salt, to test this hypothesis I'm going to buy a different brand today and test it. If some of the essential micros are missing surly this would affect the buffering capacity?

To get a drop of 0.2PH (which I'm experiencing) I would need to be looking at 800-1000ppm of CO2, I've tested KH and PH, using a CO2 chart, I'm currently at approx 5ppm, this is backed up a live tester which indicates lower than 25ppm

 

[sophos9]

Just bought 4kg of Reef-crystals so will set up a small experiment tonight. I also had a chat with someone that used to supply TAP stuff, apparently the TAP salt is terrible.

Am looking forward to testing this hypothesis, personally I believe its the salt.... Place your bets now!!

 

[littleme1969]

I reckon its the salt Beware of anything sold off on e.bay thats what I say..lol

 

[sophos9]

I reckon its the salt Beware of anything sold off on e.bay thats what I say..lol

Fingers crossed its a quick win then, shame is I then gotta ditch 20kg of salt

 

[littleme1969]

Was it all properly packaged and sealed?
If not I would deff be worried.
Better getting rid now before you have serious issues with corals and fish I went with the Red Sea Reef stuff its not the cheapest, but its easy to mix and gives perfect stats with no worries.

 

[sophos9]

Was it all properly packaged and sealed? If not I would deff be worried.

In a box, bagged in 2kg self sealing loads

Better getting rid now before you have serious issues with corals and fish I went with the Red Sea Reef stuff its not the cheapest, but its easy to mix and gives perfect stats with no worries.

Totally agree and potentially a lesson learnt, wont get my hopes up until I test. I've gone with a recommendation from a guy thats used reef crystals for ages and not had a problem (apart from 2 bad boxes)

 

[sophos9]

I think I can categorically say what the problem is

Bought new salt today (Reef Crystals), got home, got bucket and added same volume of water as the previous test (12ltr). Added the required salt to bring SG to 1.025 (this stuff mixes dead fast) and tested at 26C with a calibrated refractometer.

Made a coffee then grabbed the PH probe - filled and measured.... PH 8.28, backed up by the salifert test kits

Without a doubt (CO2 dispersion can only take the PH up, the salt is the issue - most probably missing some essential traces which are used to buffer. None the less, TAP Pro-Reef salt in this instance (bad batch?) is a bloody danger to use, fresh salty maxed a PH 7.6 which is unsafe. Will be sending an email to the seller asking them to collect the batch.

Now I gotta figure the plan to get this rubbish out of my tank....

Will post up the profile of the Reef Crystals salt in a while - myth busted and I hope this helps people when they think about getting cheap salt

 

[idlefingers]

Inspector Sophos

I always have difficulties trusting stuff I buy from ebay and really cheap online shops.. Most of the time it seems to work out ok but I always worry!

 

[sophos9]

Inspector Sophos

Lesson learnt there!!

TAP Pro-Reef
PH - 7.6
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Magnesium - 1335ppm
Calcium - 440ppm
Alk/Kh - 7.5dkh

Reef Crystals
PH - 8.28
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0
Magnesium - 1120ppm
Calcium - 400ppm
Alk/Kh - 9.3dkh

As you can see, TAP causes PH issues, it may be one batch but from what I have heard today - STAY CLEAR