Trailermann Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 I recently switched to Fritz salt mix. and got crazy low chemistry numbers. I learned that previous users of Red Sea salt mix had big problems with the change over. So for the next batch, I carefully washed out all my mixing barrels with vinegar and fresh water. The next 35 gallon batch still had low numbers: Kh of 5.3, Ca pf 320 amd Mg pf 1000. So I started dosing magnesium supplement in advance of Ca and kH adjustments. Based on previous adjustment for my 30 gallon nano, I tossed in 30 ml and the Mg number barely budged. So three subsequent additions of 40 ml only raised the Mg level to 1120. All this is in the salt mix barrel, not the display tank. I heard that raising Mg can be a bugger, but this is ridiculous. Should I just keep added supplement to get the number closer to 1350, or am I doing something wrong? Help me! btw, if I can ever get this batch adjusted prior to water changes, I will address why the Fritz is out of line with its specs. paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 Use online reef calculator also worked for me.http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.htmlSent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 Sounds like you might not have enough salt in your mix. What is your specific gravity and what are you using to test it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 Salt is 1.026 measured with refractometer. Temp is 76 degrees. Wow, the reef calculators show that I need a ton of supplement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 (edited) How did you calibrate your refractometer? http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php#11 Edited August 5, 2017 by xmas_one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myreef Posted August 6, 2017 Share Posted August 6, 2017 does your tank house mainly sps? And you want to make sure that the salt you are using is for reef tank cause they do make them different, Seachem mag is always has been a good one for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) Now I am trying to solve why the parameters of my salt water mix using Fritz Pro salt is so out of whack. All the readings are way low even though I carefully followed their mixing instructions. C&C gave me a sack of their fresh mix to try and I still have low readings. Can't wait to talk with the Fritz technicians in the morning. I suspect that I must be doing something wrong. RODI water with zero TDS. Proper salinity and water temperature. Refractometer recalibrated. Slow addition of salt crystals. Red Sea test kit confirmed by LFS. I am totally baffled. Edited August 7, 2017 by Trailermann forgot to mention recalibration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Did you use calibration solution, or did you calibrate to zero using freshwater? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 cal solution. Latest effort to solve mystery. I just got a few jugs of RO water from Wet World, trying to see if possibly there is something funny about my RODI system. Testing salt with new water "as we speak". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 2 hours ago, Trailermann said: cal solution. Latest effort to solve mystery. I just got a few jugs of RO water from Wet World, trying to see if possibly there is something funny about my RODI system. Testing salt with new water "as we speak". Good luck. This has me intrigued so keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Too weird, I gotta know. Either something weird with your water or you got a bad batch of salt. Please keep us posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 The different source of RO water did not make any difference! So, here is the email I just sent to the salt company's manager: Thanks for returning my call yesterday. The case of your salt I have been having trouble with is marked with lot #29162. I have measured salinity with two different refractometers, both adjusted with a calibration solution. I only used RO water with zero TDS reading. I have made mixes carefully multiple times, in varying quantities (30 gal, 5 gal, 2 gal) all with consistently low readings of kH, Ca, and Mg. The water temperature was between 70 and 75 degrees, and salinity from 1.023 to 1.026. I compared the testing results of my Red Sea test kit with those at two different retailers. I mixed two additional batches using crystals from a case that was being used (without problems) by Cuttlefish and Corals (Portland, Oregon). I even used a different RO source (LFS) and it made no difference. Unless you have another suggestion, I plan to take my salt to the LFS and watch while they mix up just a few gallons with their RO water. Is it possible that my mixing methodology is terribly wrong? Or is it possible that all my buckets, barrels, tubs etc have been contaminated by previous Red Sea/Kent salts, even though I thoroughly prewashing each with vinegar and fresh water? Wish me luck. Jeff at Cuttlefish has touted your product so strongly that I REALLY do want to use your products. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 The mystery continues... Thanks for the update Paul. Really curious how this turns out. I actually haven't tried the Fritz yet so can't really offer any first hand experience on mixing results but I know quite a few others on here have switched over since Jeff started stocking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuttleFishandCoral Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 What results did u get from that new bag of salt I gave U? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuttleFishandCoral Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Seems like if you are still getting low readings with the new salt it's something with the source water. If not then there was something wrong with the box of salt u have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted August 11, 2017 Author Share Posted August 11, 2017 Update: Fritz salt is not the problem! I have zeroed into my BRS RODI unit that I have been using for about two years. That seems to be the culprit in spite of zero TDS readings. But still stumped. With Jorge's help, I ran my RODI with the BRS flush valve open (black valve in line with the tubing), my test numbers were good. But that means that I am flushing and not forcing as much water through the membrane. The good water production is much slower. So, I am now making up RODI water both ways to see the difference. My latest step in solving this puzzle: Change all the media/filters in the RODI unit. I just place the order and my fingers are crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Update: Fritz salt is not the problem!I have zeroed into my BRS RODI unit that I have been using for about two years. That seems to be the culprit in spite of zero TDS readings.But still stumped. With Jorge's help, I ran my RODI with the BRS flush valve open (black valve in line with the tubing), my test numbers were good. But that means that I am flushing and not forcing as much water through the membrane. The good water production is much slower. So, I am now making up RODI water both ways to see the difference. My latest step in solving this puzzle: Change all the media/filters in the RODI unit. I just place the order and my fingers are crossed. Curious what could be coming out of the RO unit that causes Ca, ALK, and Mg to precipitate out so much?Have you try making some from regular tap water to see if Ca, ALK, and Mg are consistently low?Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted August 11, 2017 Author Share Posted August 11, 2017 good suggestion. I will try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 Made salt water with tap water (no RO) and got same results. Still experimenting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 11 minutes ago, Trailermann said: Made salt water with tap water (no RO) and got same results. Still experimenting! Hi Trailermann, are you on PDX city water or some other source? Just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Maybe your test kits or your testing methods are bad. Have you tried taking a bag of the salt that you think is bad to CNC and have them mix up a small batch and test to rule out the salt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Made salt water with tap water (no RO) and got same results. Still experimenting!Just to rule out the reflectometer, how much salt per gal of water did you use? With Instant ocean, it's roughly 1 cup for 2 gal. I would imagine other salt brands would be similar.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Any updates on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 Still working on it and have not given up. . No results to report yet. Maybe I need a pro to look over my shoulder while I am mixing a new batch. (I mean really, how hard can this be?) Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 As of 3:30 today, I might have solved my mysterious problems with magnesium, Fritz salt, and all my water parameters. In spite of triple checking my salinity, it appears that my calibration fluid was way off and my display water was 1.015! Now I'm adjusting the new salt water mix and hope that the three parameter results are finally in line. Next will be to slowly raise the salinity in the display tanks. If this does not work, I will give away all gear to the homeless and join a monastery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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