Salt issues

[djkms]

Hello all,

So I have been neglecting my tank the last couple months and my nutrients are going through the roof. Currently my NO3 is around 40ppm and PO4 is around .10. I use Reef Crystals salt and maintain my parameters the same as the salt mixes. This is usually 450 CA and 9dKH. I have read stories of Reef Crystals batches being 380 CA and 12dKH but have never received a box with those numbers until now!

I was hoping to do a couple massive 50% water changes to bang this out quick (matching tank/water change parameters) however with such a difference in alkalinity I cant do massive changes now. I have read that I can add (very carefully) Muriatic acid to bring down the alk in my mixing vat. Anyone have experience with this or any suggestions? I know I can just do small water changes but my corals are ****ed off and this needs immediate attention, not only that but I cant afford to buy 2-3 more boxes of salt to accomplish the same thing that one box can.

Thanks

 

[miwoodar]

Post #4 in this thread provides the proportions (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18601330). Make sure to adjust the dose for your water volume and dKH needs.

If you don't mind, when and where did you get your salt? I'm sitting on two boxes that I haven't tested yet.

 

[djkms]

Pet solutions, ordered last Tuesday and received the box yesterday. Thanks for the link

 

[miwoodar]

My calculator got angry with me for not giving it the love. I had to bring it some flowers before it would talk to me again. Then it wanted to get frisky...

For 30 gallons of water (picturing a 33 gallon Brute trash can in my head), 10.3 mL of muriatic acid will drop the alk by 2.8 dKH (1 meq/L). Careful, that stuff is nasty!

 

[miwoodar]

I missed your post. Thanks for the tip. I'll check mine.

You can scale up/down from the 30 gallons using 5 gallon increments. 1.7 mL per 5 gals is worth -2.8 dKH.

 

[Wicked Color]

I have plenty of open space, and I have been trying very hard to get free to get down there, if you want me to baby anything I will be at the meeting, and at Brent Wards a few times this week and weekend.

 

[djkms]

Thanks Aaron, if I decide to break down you will be the first person I call.

So I went to Home Depot and picked up 2 gallons of muriatic acid (smallest size they had). Interesting enough I didnt have to use it. I had a 30 gallon brute premixed for probably close to a month and the alkalinity dropped to 133ppm. The new 50 gallon mixed at 209. I emptied out around 70 gallons of water out of the display and replaced it with 1/3rd of the older water in the brute and 2/3 of the new water. The DT tested at 182ppm before the change and 184ppm after. Not too shabby. Things are starting to open back up and things are looking good. Will know for sure how everything faired tomorrow.

btw 70 gallons emptied my tank down to about 4-4 1/2" of water. I'm guessing I changed out about 70-75% of my total system volume. Largest water change I have ever done!