Can't keep alk or calcium up

[Mebbid]

What's the concentration levels for calcium chloride? No ice/snow in Flroida so, we dont have calcium chloride in stock like that..lol

I'm not sure. I just found this article and decided to give it a try. It's still mixing right now. Following the recipes there it apparently gives either a 37000 or 18500 ppm of calcium in 1 gallon of water

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

IO is is usally high on, alk and low on calcium. Odd numbers. Buy a different salt mix and alternate them.

The only thing I can attribute the odd readings to is an improperly mixed part in my bucket of salt. I bought it back in May and had completely normal readings from it when I started with it.

I was planning on buying a 200g box of IO reef crystals tomorrow. Would you have any suggestions on other salt mixes I should try?

 

[Gregcoyote]

Those are the recipes I have used for ages. I have used reef crystals for many years as well with no problems. Just shows you should test your first batch of SW when getting a new mix.

 

[Rare]

If you havent already...use the reef chemistry calculator or good to keep on hand 'Reef Chemistry Calculator FV'

 

[mr_X]

Any of the reef grade salt mixes should work. My favorite is oceanic, but it's a little low on alk. Not the best choice for you right now. Rc should work fine.

 

[Mebbid]

Well, I did a water change with the crazy water and it bumped my parameters up into the acceptable range; so hopefully my softies and duncan come back out to play and my tank stays that way although at this point I don't have high hopes of that.

Those are the recipes I have used for ages. I have used reef crystals for many years as well with no problems. Just shows you should test your first batch of SW when getting a new mix.

I did test the first batch waaay back when I got it but it must have settled out over time. It takes me a lot longer to go through a bucket of salt than you or X

If those are the same recipes you use then I guess I will stop worrying about nuking my tank with them then

 

[Gregcoyote]

Just move cautiously and slowly.

 

[Mebbid]

Just move cautiously and slowly.

The mix only has 5300dKH and 37000ppm of calcium... What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Gregcoyote]

When you put it that way, it all seems so simple.

 

[Mebbid]

Update: Been dosing the two part for a few days now and am having great results. Everything is bouncing back nicely aside from my duncan which I don't think is going to survive

But anyways my readings are up to:
dKH - 9
Calc - 400
Magnesium - 1380

Thank you for the help guys

 

[Rare]

Good to hear