Instant Oceans Reef Crystal Cause Magnesium High?

infinite abyss

infinite abyss

New member
I ran an experiment and tested my alkalinity in my tap water which was at 8 dkh and also distilled water from my fridge with same test kit which also read 8dkh. Poured water in a bucket, with which I mixed in my instant ocean reef crystal salt, the levels exploded to about 15dkh right after.

I didn't test the salinity to exactly how much salt I added or the salinty, which I'll probably do next time. But about a cup of salt maybe and a full bucket of water. The REEF crystal salt is creating a dramatic effect on the alkalinity is my guess. What do you think?

My calcium and magnesium levels have been really really high, and I think it's my salt. I'm going to run the same experiement with regular instant ocean salt. I read someone was having the same problem on rc.
 
Couple issues here.
1 - you should not be using water from your tap or fridge unless you run it through an RO/DI first. Tap water will have trace elements (not good for your reef) that can skew your testing.
2 - you cannot compare any measurements unless you know the SG of the salt water. Low SG will have low levels. High SG will have high levels.

What are you considering "high." High Cal & Mag is desired in a reef tank.

And yes, adding a salt mix will increase the alkalinity as alk is a measure of carbonate concentration which is the building blocks of coral skeletons.
 
on a off track note... where you at in hoffman estates?

And yea... u should conduct these experiments with RODI... i'm interested in knowing as well. I'm playing with the idea of switching back to RC salt
 
poidog said:
Couple issues here.
1 - you should not be using water from your tap or fridge unless you run it through an RO/DI first. Tap water will have trace elements (not good for your reef) that can skew your testing.
2 - you cannot compare any measurements unless you know the SG of the salt water. Low SG will have low levels. High SG will have high levels.

What are you considering "high." High Cal & Mag is desired in a reef tank.

And yes, adding a salt mix will increase the alkalinity as alk is a measure of carbonate concentration which is the building blocks of coral skeletons.
Click to expand...

Very true! Sorry about the vagueness. I wrote this in a rush. If and when I repeat the experiment, I'll mention the SG & use rodi.
Trying to find a correlation between high magnesium and calcium levels between reef crystal and regular instant ocean. Ill report back if I do.
 
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