I'm making my own Salt

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#1
I started making my own salt.

I did a bit of research on a couple of products, and before I get people killing their own tanks, I am going to wait to see how it works before I disclose the recipe.

To put it simply, this is going to potentially save everyone who chooses to follow my directions over $40 per 5 gallon bucket batch.

So far, a 5 gallon Lowe's bucket has only set me back about $10 - including the bucket.

It seems to be growing macro algae, and after a week, I have not noticed any phosphate issues. I am using DISTILLED water in order to mix it with (I don't want to leave anything to chance) and my alkalinity keeps coming up at a nice 7.0.

I have yet to test magnesium and calcium in a parameter I am comfortable with, as I have an OLD Red Sea kit on hand, and only an Alkalinity Hanna Checker.

I plan on getting a magnesium, calcium, and phosphate test from Hanna eventually, but I am going to test a couple of economy test kits, and then head over to my brother's laboratory when I am comfortable with the results at home.

Here are some pics:






 
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#2
So far my inverts and brine shrimp cultures are surviving in this salt.
Alkalinity is testing around 7.4. Macroalgaes i ourchased withered back a little, but are staying alive. I might need to let it age a little longer than traditional ready-mix salts.
 
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#3
Cool.

Did you make a margarita in the blender after blending the salt?

That stand turned out really cool, love the canopy. Nicely done.
 

ivan

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#4
That's cool that you are trying something out of the box 📦!!
I hope you can make a salt mix that will save some cash 💰 in the future and grow corals like crazy .👌🏻
 
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#5
And my inverts all suddenly crashed. (mostly nessarius and one hermit). Had them all in for a couple of days.

Not quite sure what it was, exactly.

I have brine shrimp culturing fine in this solution, so i am very confused. Coukd just be NTS. Parameters for ammonia/nitrites/nitrates were all wonderful.

I am going to give it a week of water changes, test again, and then try again with some nessarius, again.

I am actually concerned that it could be my sand ; i had it in a bucket for over a year. I've never used old substrate /sand before,and TBH, i got it used.

Damnit. Laboratory rules apply.

When experimenting, remove as many variables as possible.
 

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