Could changing salt cause bloom?

Discussion in 'Algae' started by TravisVT, Apr 25, 2014.

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  1. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    And instant ocean is harvested where??lol:p
     
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  3. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    The Gulf of Mexico, around Tampa Bay, IIRC. :p j/k ;D
     
  4. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    lmao o thats funny......;D::)
     
  5. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    I use the Red Sea coral pro as well. I don't have any problems that i am relating to the salt that i know of.

    If i were you, and i will be doing this myself now, I would mix up a fresh batch and check it for nitrates and phosphates. Assuming you are using ro/di, whatever those levels are with your freshly mixed water is going to be coming from the salt.

    You could also look for a batch number on your salt container and google it to see if anyone else has problems with that batch.

    Once I test mine i will add my results on here as well.
     
  6. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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    What kind of test kit are you using?
     
  7. TravisVT

    TravisVT Fire Worm

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    API. It's almost 2 years old though
     
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  9. TravisVT

    TravisVT Fire Worm

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    I was told the Red Sea salt was "better". My one and only lfs only sells Red Sea and instant ocean. Switch back now or see if the system stabilizes? What's the difference between the two salts??

    You had this exact problem with Red Sea salt??
     
  10. mdbostwick

    mdbostwick Vlamingii Tang

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    The bottles for your test kits should have expiration dates on them. If they are expired, IMPE if they are expired this is a good reason not to trust the result. Pretty much everyone on here recommends Salifert as far as test kits.
     
  11. chris adams

    chris adams Purple Tang

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    Get new test kit and make up a batch of water and test it for nitrates and phos as mentioned.

    Salt brands are a highly debated topic of which is better (comes down to what you prefer) but I also use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals and have always had good luck with it.
     
  12. TravisVT

    TravisVT Fire Worm

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    Ok. I went to the lfs today and bought a new test kit (Api again as that is the only kit they have) while I was there I brought in 3 test samples for them to test. I had them test my
    Rodi water - 0 tds
    Fresh batch of salt water I made last night - 0 phosphates
    My tank water - 1 for phosphates

    When I returned home I did my own test with the new test kit
    Tank - 1
    Fresh salt - .25
    Rodi - .25

    Now I have read that you can't really test Rodi for phosphate and that if your tds is 0 then likely the phosphates are 0 or close enough that you shouldn't have a problem. So if tds is 0 then my Rodi should be fine but I am getting the same reading (.25) on my salt and Rodi so not sure if the salt reading is accurate. My lfs uses the same API kit so I am at a loss what to do next. Maybe buy a very small bucket of instant ocean again, make a batch and test to see if lower then .25?
    Any suggestions!?