Brightwell Salt.

bertoni said:
I'm not quite sure what you mean, but when kits fail, they seem to deliver a consistent, but incorrect, result. So if you run the test three times, you'd get about the same value each time.
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No that pretty much answers my question. Thank you.
 
2_zoa said:
Is my question that dumb? You quit talking with me.
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No question is dumb my friend. I fell asleep on the couch. Took a little nap. :D

On the top of the bottles front label on the API kits is a lot #. That is the born on date. If it is over a year old, I would pitch it and get new. :)
 
2_zoa said:
I am very sorry, I use the cheap test kits. I am using API right now.

I mixed 460 grams of salt in 3 gallons of RO/DI water and got a 1.031 on my refacto.

PH-8.4
KH-9.5,10 It just wasn't there with 9 drops.
Cal-480
I don't have a Mag test right now.

These numbers are after about 2 hours of mixing. I will test again tomorrow if you folks would like.
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Please rember that this one is a 1.031 gravity reading.

2_zoa said:
So, I added water to get gravity down to 1.025 since this is where I run my tank. Re-tested and this is now what my test kit tells me.

PH- 8.2
KH- 7,7.5 Again it just wasn't there with 7 drops.
Cal- 380-400

I have the "bag" so IDK if it is mixed better then a bucket or if I just have a different LOT number. I mixed it for about 4-5 hours on Sunday and I didn't mix it at all yesterday. Since I am home sick today, it has been mixing.
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This one was 1.025 in gravity which is where I keep my tank.

2_zoa said:
Ok, 1 gallon at 1.026

Alk- 8
Cal- 400

As I mentioned before I don't have a Mag test. I am a poor reefer.

I hope you get something out of this cause I am lost. The only thing I can think of, is the gravity is getting away from folks. IDK, I am no scientist and I am certainly not a smart person by any means.
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Billy this one was for you. It was 1.026 gravity.

Billybeau1 said:
I'm thinking you need new test kits.

What brand kits for cal and alk and how old are they ?
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I know have brand new Elos test kits that expire in 2011. Here are the new numbers. I did it at a 1.026 gravity just for you Billy. I got a Mag test now too.

Mag - 1300
KH - 7
Cal - 460
 
I admit that I am fairly new to the hobby so it might not be a big surprise that EMI salt is totally new to me. Anyhow, I was intrigued so I googled this salt and found these two articles in Advanced Aquarist's Magazine: Part I, Part II that I'd like to share. I have no idea how valid the results are and they are a little bit dated but based on the articles, I think I won't be looking for MEI salt.
 
I have no idea how valid the results are and they are a little bit dated but based on the articles, I think I won't be looking for MEI salt.

Some of that data is OK, and some is apparently flawed. Salt mixes have also changed since that study (a defect with any such study: salt mixes frequently change).

That said, which bit of data do you think makes it a poor choice? It does seem to have more impurities than many.
 
2 Zoa, That does not look like the Brightwell I tested. Something is not right.

Possibly testing procedures ? I doubt Elos is that far off.
 
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Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I have no idea how valid the results are and they are a little bit dated but based on the articles, I think I won't be looking for MEI salt.

Some of that data is OK, and some is apparently flawed. Salt mixes have also changed since that study (a defect with any such study: salt mixes frequently change).

That said, which bit of data do you think makes it a poor choice? It does seem to have more impurities than many.
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The metal levels of MEI salt are quiet similar to IO salt and when compared to NSW, some of them seem dangerously high to me. If I can get IO cheaply and easily, there's no reason for me to spend the time and perhaps higher cost on MEI salt. By the way, Tropic Marine salt does look very close to NSW in that study.
 
If I can get IO cheaply and easily, there's no reason for me to spend the time and perhaps higher cost on MEI salt.

I don't dispute that. I've used IO for many years and have seen no reason to switch to anything else. :)
 
Billybeau1 said:
2 Zoa, That does not look like the Brightwell I tested. Something is not right.

Possibly testing procedures ? I doubt Elos is that far off.
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While I am no expert in any area of this hobby, I am also not considered to be anyone of any importance. I knew that my test results would be questioned due to the fact that they don't coinside with what the other "respected" people have posted. I do however stand behind my testing results.

The thread that Randy linked to was started by someone else. So I wonder when you tested the salt mix?

I know this is some what of an old thread being that is was started 7-26-09. I just thought I would post my numbers since they were a little different. Different in the way that they are more close to what Brightwell says they should be. Prehaps I got a different Lot then the rest of the folks. If I had more time during the day to get to a post office I would send you a cup of my salt and you could test it for yourself. We would then be able to elminate the question of testing error on my part then. Send me a PM and I will gladly put some salt in a Food Saver bag, suck out the air and send it when I get a chance. The flat rate boxes aren't that expensive to send.

I am certanly not trying to be rude in any way here. Please don't think that. I know reading someone elses typing can be taken in many different ways. I have never been known for being very couth.
 
Perhaps batch variability could explain the disparate testing results. Wouldn't be the first time a salt mix had large variability from batch to batch.
 
Do not take offense in my questioning your testing procedures. I always have to ask that and you would be surprised how often that ends up being the case. If you are comfortable with your procedures, that is fine.

I just tested the Brightwell's within the last 8 weeks or so. :)
 
I agree, I wouldn't use salt mixes as a test kit standard

I agree also, just get almost any kind of NSW ( not near a rive output obviously)and find out or measure its salinity. Since NSW fallows the Law of Equal Proportions then

Example
NSW = 411 ppm Ca++ @ 35 ppt

1 ppt = 411 / 35 = 11.74 ppm Ca++

So if the NSW tested was 32 ppt, then

32 x 11.72 = ~375 ppt


and the same for the rest of the ions.

One can go here for NSW levels.

http://www.seafriends.org.nz/oceano/seawater.htm
 
Wouldn’t mixing salt up to 1.030 cause precipitation? Then adding water would yield inaccurate results?

Also, 2 zoa, I believe you can double your water volume when testing and get a .5 resolution dKH reading. Although on an API kit I personally wouldn’t trust it anyway...
 
SG at 1.030 isn't necessarily high enough to cause precipitation. I wouldn't expect that, actually, for most salt mixes.
 
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