Hey all,
I need to pick your brains again...
I've been using Reef Crystals (mixed to 1.026
SG at 78 degrees, which works out to 750grams/5 gallons) for my new 55g. I have been hoping to maintain the tank's
Ca at somewhere between 400-450
ppm. Currently, with my
Alk at 8, dosing 15ml of 2 part B-ionic every day for the last month. My
Ca measures 365ppm, which is lower than what I was expecting.
I have two buckets that I recently purchased through F&S, so I decided to do a 5g test batch with both:
Bucket "A" Results:
5 gallons @ 1.026
sg
78 degrees, 11 KH and 8.32
ph.
Ca = 325ppm. (Elos)
Bucket "B" Results:
5 gallons @ 1.026
sg
78 degrees, 11 KH and 8.38
ph.
Ca = 350ppm. (Elos), 345ppm (Salifert)
These
Ca results seem really low for a "Reef" blend. I was expecting something between 375-425.
I've read
some threads over at RC where other people who have bought Reef Crystals recently from F&S are having the same problem. F&S is once again bending over backwards to offer new buckets to dissatisfied customers, but the manufacturer is not saying anything. One person contended that they always get a 425ppm reading from Reef Crystals and didn't believe the complaints until he bought a bucket himself and confirmed the problem.
My goal is to get my calcium up, and I am not sure if getting yet another bucket of Reef Crystals is going to do the trick. Perhaps I should go to another salt?
I was wondering what TR Reef Crystal users normally see for
Ca from their batches, and what recommendations anyone has for me. Should I simply increase my B-ionic dosing? Should I be dosing my
SW batches with B-ionic?
