I don't think your the only one haveing the issue.I just started to change from RC to Brightwell,I'm finding rc mixing at 13 to 15 dkh depending on the bucket and just discussed this with the LFS and they said people are seeing as high as 18 dkh with both rc and io.We use red sea pro on the wifes tank and it mixes at 9.3 everytime but it's very expensive.She's spoiled I guess.I'm mixing up my first bucket of brightwell as I type this.I will be back when I'm done mixing and testing to share the info.
ok mixed up three buckets now all three test at 11.2 dkh alk and 420 ppm ca,atleast they're consitant at 68 degree's.The buckets are now at 78 degree's alk has now changed to 10.2 dkh and cal is at 415 ppm,as advertised what a surprise??
Last edited by binford4000; 03-04-2011 at 08:23 PM.
Reason: dkh update
I was just getting ready to ask for help on the opposite problem. I am also using IO, but I can't get the DKH much above 7/8. Been adding alk buffer - so my pH stays above 8, but I was hoping for a less intrusive solution?
Well I've got 20 gal of RC mixing right now, I'll test it when I get home from work. Anybody know off hand if salifert alk test will work on freshwater?
Temp 78
1.024
ph 8.4
Cal 440
Mag 1470
Alk 20.4 Dkh I had to check it twice first was off the chart second in low res mode.
Wow,that's unreal.Britewell follow up for ya.Changed 20 gallons(that's enough for a few days) checked the alk and alk was 8.0 dkh and cal 440.That's with doaseing 50 ml of alk and ca over 24 hours with meter liter 3.So long RC,I hope this trend stay's.If you live near Farm Hills pm me and I'll give you enough to mix a bucket up and then you can check the alk with your water.I'm optamistic it would be diffrent.
Just FYI,tested today 8.0 alk and 440 ca second day in a row and doaser's still running.I see on aqua cave .com they sell britewell at 54.00 a bucket.About the same as a LFS(minus the shipping of course) Here's some links
Are you certain that test isn't Giving you PPM? Cuz those are some amazing numbers. I can't imagine it is really from the salt mix. You might double check your source water...
yeah I'm sure.I've been fighting the RC alk swing for over a month.I have three diffrent kh test kits(becusae I couldn't believe how high the RC was) My ro di water is at 1 ppm by way of inline tds It seems like a honey moon right now but I will know better in a few day's when I test again before I resume the water changes.I'll let you know OK?
Culligan is coming tomorrow, I'm gonna get them to give me a complete rundown, and talk about getting a system installed. I'm also gonna grab a few gallons of water from my LFS and mix it up with the RC and test that too.