From Corallife to tropic marin in one waterchange?

[DivaMan]

I have used up all my corallife salt, and I have a bucket of tropic marin, that a friend of mine used, before his tank sprung a leak. The salt looks fine, feels fine, even smells fine, its in a garbage bag in the bucket, and when opened it smells a lot like plastic. Can I use it. I added the last of my corallife salt to my mix vat, but it is not enough can I use the tropic marin without shocking fish/coral?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, that switch is likely an improvement anyway. How are you intending to change it? Not a 100% water change, I hope?

[DivaMan]

no, just like about 5 gals out of a 65 totla gal system

[DivaMan]

why an improvement?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Coralife isn't an especially well respected salt mix, based on chemical analyses that I've seen.

Normal water changes with the Tropic Marin will be fine. :)

Here are some analyses:

The Composition Of Several Synthetic Seawater Mixes
http://web.archive.org/web/20001215070800/http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp

A Chemical Analysis of Select Trace Elements in Synthetic Sea Salts and Natural Seawater
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2004/feature.htm

Feature Article: Inland Reef Aquaria Salt Study, Part I
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1

Feature Article: Inland Reef Aquaria Salt Study Part II
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1

[DivaMan]

Wow, thanks hey, one question um the mix is in a trash bag, and when I open the bag it really smells like plastic, and it precipitated in the mixing vat, bad thing or no?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I wouldn't worry about the smell, but you could run a little carbon in it is you are concerned.

I'd measure the alkalinity. If it is OK, then the salt is OK to use despite the precipitation. Are you using RO/DI or tap water to make it?

[DivaMan]

We are on well water straight from an aquifer, the water is tested yearly by a company. I test every batch of new seawater myself. Also when it comes into our house it goes through something like a ro unit.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You might test that water for alkalinity. High alkalinity tap water often pushes new salt water to excessive alkalinity levels, and high alkalinity cna lead to precipitation.

Also, be sure there is no chloramine in the tap water, as you may end up with ammonia in the new salt water.