Water Change Water Does Not Test Right

[csacord]

I have 2 3 gallon water jugs that I take to the store and fill with io/di water. I then add the proper amount of salt and shake vigorously. I let it set until I am ready to my water chage on Saturday. I made the water up on Monday and gave the bottle a good swish each day to make sure that I was disolving all the salt. I go to test the water, thinking what the hell, lets see where everything is at. My SG is low, my ph ultra low. Is it not enough to just make up a water sollution according to the instructions or should I be dosing the water with a ph buffer, calcium, ston., and more salt. And then let this sollution sit in wait for the next water change.

Please help

[csacord]

Also...almost forgot. I use Instant Ocean. Is there a better product out there? I am almost ready to buy another bag of salt.

[kwjones]

Probably the easiest way, at least for me anyway, is to use a storage tub, fill it with the RO/DI and salt a day or two before the water change. Drop in a heater set to the same temp as your tank. Drop in a powerhead to circulate the water and mix the salt for you. The day before the water change, test the salinity, adjust as needed. I have a maxi-jet 1200 to mix my change water. It's also strong enough that I can put a 5' vinyl hose on it to pump the water directly into my tank.

As far as adding other stuff to the change water...are you dosing your main tank with anything, or just the change water before you add it?

Kevin

[erikhydo]

Instant Ocean comes out perfect when I mix it. Make sure you are using a good measuring cup. The glass ones are more accurate than the plastic ones and the 2 cup measuring cup is usually more accurate than the one cup or 1/2 cup measuring cups.

I use RO/DI water and a spoon to mix it, I do 5 gallons at a time in a 5 gallon bucket.

[erikhydo]

I do use a crushed coral substrate covered with sand but it came out perfect from day one.