Help: mixing water

[burrows14]

unless you already have tested the bucket of salt perameters I would add the salt then test to see what you need to dose. I dont use IO but I used this procedure when I was using kent salt

[Coleus]

I know exactly what i need to dose to bring all parameters up. If i dose after the salt mix then i get even more precipitation :-(

[burrows14]

how long are you leaving between dosing and adding salt?

[burrows14]

also what color is the precipitaion and how long do you let everything mix together before adding it to your system?

[Coleus]

Originally Posted by burrows14

how long are you leaving between dosing and adding salt?

24 hours between dosing and adding salt

then another 24 hours before adding to the tank

The color is white or greyish

[burrows14]

Whats the alk at? I know if my alk is on the low side and I add calcium I get a snow storm in my tank kinda like what your describing

[Coleus]

after adding the salt, my alk is 10

[kien]

I thought reef crystals had high(ish) levels of calcium and magnesium? Isn't that why it is more expensive than Regular IO?

Anyway, these days I dont dose my new salt water (I dose my main tank) but after mixing my heater and the inside if the mixing drum is coated with a fine white/brown powdery substance. I read that this is normal with regular IO. Not sure if it is the same as your powdery substance tho. It has been like that for me for a long long time. Doesn't seem to affect anything and I just accept it :-)