OCEANIC + BUFFER MIX????

[LoneStar]

I've heard that Oceanic salt needs a ph buffer for a good mixture. What is the best ratio for mixing the 2??

[don-n-sa]

this is a great question...I will be tagging along to see what someone
( Gary or Tim ) comes up with

[CD]

We're interested too, as we are seriously considering switching from IO to Oceanic.

BTW - LoneStar - I see this was your first post...WELCOME TO MAAST!!!! :D

[Tim Marvin]

I usually add about 3 tbls. to 30 gallons, but I am just doing guess work. I drip kalk so I am not so sure I even need to add the buffer. I do know it needs it if you are doing a fresh new tank set-up.

[don-n-sa]

I have always used Oceanic...I dose bionic everyday so my levels are ok but when I do my weekly 15g water change I was wondering if I should be buffering the fresh saltwater before I add it to my system.

[Tim Marvin]

if your ALK and PH stay stable and good levels, no need to buffer unless you just want some extra.

[::pete::]

I dont add to my fresh water, but I also test regular. The new water change will not throw it far enough to worry. It also depends on your other maintenence too.

[GaryP]

There is no set answer. I would never add it to the water change water. It will probably cause a blizzard. Rather, I would suggest doing the water change, test alkalinity, and then add the appropriate amount of buffer to the tank itself.

If the water change water is fairly fresh, you probably won't have to add any buffer. If it has aged a few days it might need a little bit.

[bigdscobra]

Great another salt post :wacko I have no idea what I should use now....... Well just got a 200g worth of Oceanic salt from Wolf Reef, my RO/DI unit should be here on friday so I will try out mixing 2/3 oceanic and 1/3 IO to use up my IO.

[speakerguy]

Anthony Calfo recommends re-mineralizing RO/DI water prior to addition of the salt mix. Reason is the salt mix mfg's have to back off carbonate in the mix a little bit b/c not all their customers are using RO/DI water, and that would lead to too high alk for those folks (esp if they had hard water). IIRC, Calfo recommends RO/DI -> Aerate -> Remineralize -> Mix Salt. How much you have to remineralize will depend on your salt mix. The only thing I'd worry about with Oceanic is the high Ca causing precipitation with the added carbonate.

[GaryP]

Anthony Calfo recommends re-mineralizing RO/DI water prior to addition of the salt mix. Reason is the salt mix mfg's have to back off carbonate in the mix a little bit b/c not all their customers are using RO/DI water, and that would lead to too high alk for those folks (esp if they had hard water). IIRC, Calfo recommends RO/DI -> Aerate -> Remineralize -> Mix Salt. How much you have to remineralize will depend on your salt mix. The only thing I'd worry about with Oceanic is the high Ca causing precipitation with the added carbonate.

Calcium and Alkalinity is like a jar full of jelly beans. You can fit in so much calcium or alkalinity or a combination of both. You can't put a jar full of calcium and a jar full of alkalinity in the same jar.

[speakerguy]

I'm not saying 'dump the jar in'. I'm saying add a little before you toss in the salt mix. They manufacture it with alk on the low side so people with hard water sources don't get precipitation. As a senior in biochemistry, I do know a thing or two about solubility product constants :)

[Brett Wilson]

Dude, I can put Jelly beans in my tank to buffer ALK/CA?


:unsure :lol :P 8)

[GaryP]

I was trying to make a common analogy for the less chemistry proficient folks among us.

Does this mean you will do the aquarium chemistry talk at the June meeting?

[Brett Wilson]

Now that I have started using my newly created Bean-Ionic my tank has never looked better!
You wouldnt believe all of the different colors my corals are turning!

(kidding, of course ;) )

And sure, I'll talk at any meeting if people are wanting me to. :D

[LoneStar]

ok i think i got it now, 75% Oceanic salt with 25% Jelly Belly Beans.... sweet and salty

But anyway thanks for the help. I'm just about out of salt and i am going to pick up some Oceanic this weekend when i do my water change. I'll circulate the salt with the rodi water for a while, test it, and then toss it in the tank, and then test it again later on.

I may just eat the darn beans if they don't work!