ZEOvit

[bobgoode]

Mike, I agree totally with your post. The problem is measuring Ca is the big difference in readings from the Salifert's 6drop[old] Ca test & their 8drop[new] Ca results. These seem to run ~50ppm higher than before. Therefore, Edward's "corrected" Ca level is ~420 which is in balance for his other parameters. Bob

 

[mojoreef]

Bob we are agreeing way to often now

Hi Madison, I would say the best thing to do is to keep the alk and cal in line with the NSW levels the corals came from. At 35ppt or 1.026 you want your calcium around 415-410. alk around 7-8 dkh. Basically make sure your calcium is at this level and not to much above. Your alkalinity should be here to but having it a little higher would be ok. This way thier is always enough alk for the coral to use to remove the calcium and the level of calcium is not higher then the coral is used to have to deal with. Does that make sence??

Basically it works like this on the balance and levels. At a salinity of 35ppt cal is 415 and alk is between 7-8dkh. If you have a lower salinity like 1.023 or 30ppt you have reduced the total ammount of elements by 14% if done in a balanced manner. So cal would be 14% lower or 354. same applies to alk.


mike

 

[bobgoode]

Thnx. Mike--for those wishing to keep SPS, Mike's post is the best Christmas gift you'll receive.[Well, except if one begins ZEOvit :lol:] Too much Ca to KH will result in TN eventually for the corals. Bob

 

[invincible569]

Mike, I understand what you are saying. We have to take account that I also add Amino Acids daily, Potassium Iodide Fluoride, Iron, ZEOvit Macroelements, and ZEOfood which contains other vitamins for SPS health.

I recently had a problem with Kent Salt and my parameters were low - Ca 380, Mg 1000, Alk 8. And my corals were blistering/receding. I raised all my levels to the ones I posted and corals are thriving now. They look healthier than ever and are growing better. Since then, i have had to supplement Mg and Ca to my water changes because of Kents salt problem. Other Kent users have this problem too. I havent changed salt brands because other brands are also inconsistent or have some type of problem. There doesnt seem to be the perfect salt for SPS reefers.

 

[mojoreef]

We have to take account that I also add Amino Acids daily, Potassium Iodide Fluoride, Iron, ZEOvit Macroelements, and ZEOfood which contains other vitamins for SPS health.

I dont think the uptake rate of those additives can really be relied on or even know to any specific degree ust yet. (not a knock on the products) so one must still view the system as low nutrient. Always best to error on the side of caution. .

On the salt it is always better to be a little low then to be to high. The new oceanic salt is way to high on mag and cal and itit is bear to burn it off.


mike

 

[bobgoode]

Salt selection currently is difficult as batch inconsistencies can occur. It's best to test the parameters on every new batch that one is using to be safe. Bob

 

[invincible569]

I've always aimed for my aquarium water to be at NSW levels. My Ca got a little high when I was balancing out the system a while back. I like to go just a little over NSW.. in case i have a leak somewhere which will hold for a bit.

 

[bobgoode]

Edward, what salt are you presently using & are you satisfied? Thnx. Bob

 

[invincible569]

Edward, what salt are you presently using & are you satisfied? Thnx. Bob

Bob, Im still using Kent. I was VERY close to switching to Oceanic until those threads came out confirming the excess algae outbreaks. I havent came off Kent until I find the right salt. Its not good to switch salts often. For now, i have been supplementing with Kent Mg and Seachems Ca Booster on water changes only. I was also going to switch to Aquamedic like you did, but it was still too new to tell if its the right choice. Are you still using AquaMedics Meersalz? Problems? Compliments?

 

[bobgoode]

Edward, looks like Meersalz will be a good choice. Problem: availability, as Premium Aquatics will not be able to obtain until late Jan.05. I agree experimenting with too many salts can be detrimental to the stability of one's reef. Bob

 

[RedEyeReef]

On the salt it is always better to be a little low then to be to high. The new oceanic salt is way to high on mag and cal and itit is bear to burn it off.

mike

Mojo, what salt to you use? I have used IO since the 80's but just my first water change yesterday with Oceanic. I don't know if I am making a mistake switching?

 

[mattseattle]

I've been using Oceanic since it came out. I haven't had any of the issues many others have. Calcium comes in about 500 and Magnesium is about 1470 - 1500 which are out of balance when it's out is only 7 or so. Recently I've started using IO again to get my magnesium levels back down to NSW. I'll probably stick with IO now unless I can find another salt that has lower levels.

 

[mojoreef]

Redeye I am not a WCer, so I dont use ASW, but on the reaquascaping I used about 300 gallons of the oceanic.

I would be wary about constant use of the oceanic, the high levels can really screw up a tanks chemistry

Mike

 

[Boomer]

Not another Zovit thread........ssssssh

 

[RedEyeReef]

Redeye I am not a WCer, so I dont use ASW, but on the reaquascaping I used about 300 gallons of the oceanic.

I would be wary about constant use of the oceanic, the high levels can really screw up a tanks chemistry

Mike

OK, this may be a dumb question, but what is a WCer and ASW?

Would there be an issue if I alternated Oceanic and IO on every other water change?

Mojo, what brand salt do you use now?

Thanks.

 

[mattseattle]

WC - water change - so WC'er - water changer
ASW - artificial salt water

i'll let him answer the other stuff

 

[Boomer]

I am not a W_ater C_hang_er, so I don't use Artificial Sea Water

 

[reedman]

WCer = Water Changer

ASW = Artificial Salt Water

I wouldn't alternate. This will make it difficult to maintain consistancy in your parameters. This will in turn cause stress for your tank inhabitants.

Since Mike doesn't do WCs, I don't believe he uses any salt mix, but I'm sure he will speak for himself later.

 

[mojoreef]

Sorry Redeye I was speaking in tongues again, lol. Most of my water is now about 4 years old, with few hundred gallons of new. On blending salt mixes, that is probably not the best idea, their have been to many case where folks have had real problems when doing this, it might work between these two salt mixes but I wouldn't try it. If your tank has a lot of calcifing corals you are going to take a hit on your alk, cal and mag no matter what salt you use. If you use a salt that is has high levels like oceanic you will end up skewing your water chemistry as the mag will effect both the cal and alk. It will be a lot harder to get these elements down to the proper balanced levels. Mag percipatates real slowly.
I would suggest going with the salt mix that is a little lower in the elements, then just rely on kalk or a reactor to keep the over all cal and alk in balance and where it needs to be. Add the Mag as a separate additive when needed. Easier to work up then down

Disclaimer of Water changes LOL: so this doesn't give anyone the wrong idea or create a fuss. I have a lot of equipment (ozone, carbon, uv, big skimmer and the use of a sock from time to time) that keeps my water clean and processed. On the replenishing of elements I dose 10 gallons of kalk a day and run a large reactor 24/7. IMHO I do not like any ASW mix as they are all skewed and out of balance and come from low end raw materials containing far to many impurities. I do not suggest my method for any reefer or aquarium keeper that does not have simular equipment or ability to process their water..

Mike

 

[FishyinKy]

Disclaimer of Water changes LOL: so this doesn't give anyone the wrong idea or create a fuss. I have a lot of equipment (ozone, carbon, uv, big skimmer and the use of a sock from time to time) that keeps my water clean and processed. On the replenishing of elements I dose 10 gallons of kalk a day and run a large reactor 24/7. IMHO I do not like any ASW mix as they are all skewed and out of balance and come from low end raw materials containing far to many impurities. I do not suggest my method for any reefer or aquarium keeper that does not have simular equipment or ability to process their water..
Mike

That one of those do as I say not as I do things Mike? lol Just kidding you. Seriously I wanted to ask you about trace elements? Are you adding any of them?