At MACNA? Then you may have been among the first in the world . . . .

[brashare]

One of the most anticipated presentations of the MACNA conference this past weekend came on Sunday morning when Eric Borneman (yes, our guest speaker on 18 Nov 06) and Kim Lowe presented their findings of their 10-month research project: "The Effects of Various Synthetic Sea Salts in the Microenvironment."

Eric and his team tested 9 different commercially available synthetic salt mixes: Red Sea, Reef Crystals, Tropic Marin (German brand), Kent, Oceanic, Coral Life, Forty Fathams, hW Marine Mix, and Bioassay.

What were the two mixes that best approximated natural saltwater?

First, the results are preliminary. Eric and team will be talking with each vendor to discuss the findings in depth and see if any of the anomalies can be explained.

A fascinating presentation with a pretty detailed set of information on their research methods. Look for a bit more detail in the October issue of The Wave.

Oh, the brands that did the best??? How about Red Sea and Reef Crystals. And this is with Reef Crystal's traditional mix, not their new mix formulated for RO water.

More later . . . .

 

[Kathy55g]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering when they would break the suspense and let us know the results!
Is Eric going to write up the results in the monthly newsletter?

 

[DrBDC]

I only wish they would have corrected the low Ca and mag levels in the IO and done the test on that since reef tanks aren't usually kept at the lower levels. Especially since the same manufacturers salt (Reef Crystals) with those added tied for first with Red Sea (whoda thunk Red Sea?) I imagine when the coral growth rates are compiled and the whole paper released that will hurt the IO as well. That cyano makes me wonder.

 

[MayoBoy]

Glad I just bought a box of IO at Marine Solutions

And I got doubly screwed - they advertise 1 bag for 9.95 but charge 35.00 for the box of 3 bags. I really need to start paying attention to what I sign.

 

[DrBDC]

You may have 4 bags in there check it out and see.

 

[MayoBoy]

Nope, just 3. That's the way my day's been going though.

 

[brashare]

Eric's results

Eric's results

It may take a couple of months before Eric, Kim, and crew are able to get everything finalized. Lots of analyzation, fact checking, and writing to do.

Talked with the Red Sea rep and he was understandably beaming.

Some very interesting observations will be shared in the not-too-distant future.

 

[Shooter7]

Yeah, sounds like it's actually going to be awhile before their final analysis is complete, so preliminary results might want to be taken with a grain of salt.

IO is listed in the following article as one of the brands being tested. Their list and yours are a little different. Did they change something along the way?

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/eb/index.php

 

[Nanook]

After using IO for 6 years with no problems...I won't be switching anytime soon. Bring your IO to me and I will take it off your hands

dave

 

[Nanook]

I generally find it best to avoid band-wagons...wait it out and see what I am talking about.

Dave

 

[Shooter7]

Dave, I just started using IO not too long ago. Already had a point where I have had to supplement Mg. Do you find that you need to add much of anything while using IO, like 2-part or something like that?

 

[DrBDC]

Magnesium needs bumped about 150ppm and calcium by about 60-80 ppm.

 

[TexasTodd]

Following along. I wanted to make MACNA to see this, but ended up missing out.

Same here Dave, I've use IO for a long time. Seen a lot of others have problems with other salts. BUT, I have a reactor and keep up with my Mg. supplement.

I always like looking at new data though!

Todd

 

[beaker77]

I've stopped using IO since finding atleast 10 mouse droppings in two different buckets.