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-TYR- 
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 Topic: Salt mix?
Posted: June 23 2014 at 1:22am |
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For my 2 tanks now I use Oceanic natural mix and am having a hard time controlling my trace elements I was wondering is there better mixes and if so can I just switch from the one to a new one? I want to know so that I am not battling this problem in my 150 gal.
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Blub Blub
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ReefdUp
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Posted: June 23 2014 at 1:59am |
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I use Sea Chem Reef...been using it about 6 years. Only downside is that noone sells it locally.
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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LaRue
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Posted: June 23 2014 at 5:34am |
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Instant ocean been using it for 15 years and it is sold everywhere.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: June 23 2014 at 6:33am |
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I have used several different salt mixes without any problems.
What trace elements are you talking about and what is telling you there is a problem?
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Mike Savage
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Posted: June 23 2014 at 9:33am |
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I used Oceanic for years and never had a problem.
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-TYR-
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Posted: June 23 2014 at 12:23pm |
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Temp 80°F
Specific Gravity 1.025
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrites 0pmm
Nitrates 0ppm
Water Hardness dKH 9.8
Calcium 600
Magnesium 1560
My calcium is all over the place these are from my last test but it will go from 600 at its lowest to 1000 and my magnesium is always really high no matter how many times i change the water, i know i caused the issue when i set up the tank in December i over dosed it but i haven't dosed since January and its still doing it
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Blub Blub
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Hogie
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Posted: June 23 2014 at 1:40pm |
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I always used the oceanic reef mix until just recently. After the zoanthids.com meeting, he said they switched to red sea salt from the oceanic reef and saw a noticeable difference in their coral growth. While I never really had an issues with the reef mix, I just made a switch. Still to early to tell a difference yet.
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LaRue
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Posted: June 23 2014 at 1:41pm |
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What test kit are you using for calcium? oceanic has really high calcium to begin with.
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-TYR-
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Posted: June 23 2014 at 8:58pm |
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I am using the red sea test kit
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Blub Blub
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LaRue
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Posted: June 24 2014 at 5:33am |
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Ok that's a good accurate test kit like I said oceanic is just always high in calcium. Imo the designer salts like h2o or salinity (and all the others they are wanting $100 a bucket) are not worth the extra money chemicals are cheap. I use instant ocean and rely on frequent water changes to replace my trace elements been doing it this way for 15 years and it's worked great for me just my opinion though.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: June 25 2014 at 7:56am |
 -TYR- wrote:
For my 2 tanks now I use Oceanic natural mix and am having a hard time controlling my trace elements I was wondering is there better mixes and if so can I just switch from the one to a new one? I want to know so that I am not battling this problem in my 150 gal. |
It might help you to know that the parameters you listed above are basic elements not trace elements. Trace elements are things like Potassium, Selenium and 20+ other minor essential elements and compounds. Test kit results will be slightly different, depending on how the kit is used by the individual hobbyist. The indication of color change is a fairly inaccurate reading, influenced by variations in test administration and the hobbyists perception of color. For example, how deep must the final color be, before we stop adding drops? Do we stop when the final color just begins to appear or when it reaches a very rich red or deeper blue? Color blindness in any degree can throw it all off. To this end we speak of parameters in terms of ranges rather than ideal points. Alk 8-14 dKH (depending on the tank, can be slightly lower or higher with no bad effects) Ca 350-500 ppm (can be higher with no bad effects) Mg 1200-1500 (also can be higher with no bad effects) Hope this helps. Aloha 
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aceofspadeskb
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Posted: June 25 2014 at 8:59am |
Mark Peterson wrote:
[QUOTE=-TYR-]
To this end we speak of parameters in terms of ranges rather than ideal points.
Alk 8-14 dKH (depending on the tank, can be slightly lower or higher with no bad effects)
Ca 350-500 ppm (can be higher with no bad effects)
Mg 1200-1500 (also can be higher with no bad effects)
Hope this helps.
Aloha
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"Depending on the tank" is the key here for alkalinity. I tried to raise my alk to 10 dKH thinking it would help growth and I ended up with burnt tips on all of my acros. 8-9 is the range I use here.
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