DanW's 187 SPS Dominated Reef Journal

[pookstreet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15585933#post15585933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
They did the controversial salt tests a few months ago.

What controversy? I may have to purchase another reference kit soon.

 

[DanW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15586031#post15586031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pookstreet
What controversy? I may have to purchase another reference kit soon.

You know where they tested a bunch of salt mixes for their content then a bunch of people on the message boards faulted them for their methods and results. In looking at the test date (12/07 "“ 2/08) it was 18-20 months ago.

http://reefsaltanalysis.googlepages.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf

 

[aquariumclown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15586131#post15586131 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
You know where they tested a bunch of salt mixes for their content then a bunch of people on the message boards faulted them for their methods and results. In looking at the test date (12/07 "“ 2/08) it was 18-20 months ago.

http://reefsaltanalysis.googlepages.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf

I didn't know it was controversial but I guess any test is controversial.

 

[aquariumclown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15585933#post15585933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
Wow Leo, big differences. I say have another reefer or a LFS to retest for you with their stuff to see which one is correct. AWT (Aquarium Water Testing) you know the lab that does the tests on water samples? They did the controversial salt tests a few months ago. A little expensive but I bought a 4 test kit from them about a year ago. The one I just sent back was my last. I'll can post my results if it interests you, got them back on Friday.

Yes I would be interested if you could post your results. I'm also interested in how the lab results compared to kits like salifert or elos.

Thanks!

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15586175#post15586175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
Yes I would be interested if you could post your results. I'm also interested in how the lab results compared to kits like salifert or elos.

Thanks!

There were many reports of salifert being off, especially their Alk test. They may of fixed it, but after the bad experiences they had, I will never buy another salifert product. I have two elos alk kits. I try to buy them every 6 weeks so I can have a comparison. Having them spread apart should also make sure they are not from the same batch.

 

[DanW]

For comments, below are my AWT test results. The parameters I tested prior to sending came in close except for PO4. My PO4 reading was 0.03 (Hanna) and the difference is much higher than the Hanna margin of error. Anyone have a clue on how to reconcile?

Ammonia (NH3-4) Good 0.004
Nitrite (NO2) Good 0.018
Nitrate (NO3) Good 2.8
Phosphate (PO4) Good 0.15
Silica (SiO2-3) High 0.8
Potassium (K) Low 290
Calcium (Ca) Good 424
Boron (B) Low 2.2
Molybdenum (Mo) High 0.2
Strontium (Sr) Good 7.9
Magnesium (Mg) Good 1256
Iodine (I¯) Good 0.04
Copper (Cu++) Good 0.01
Alkalinity (meq/L) Good 2.99

What else is odd is that I dose potassium because my samples always come in low and every test since dosing comes in low and all at about the same value. I also use water with zero TDS so the silica number puzzles me. Maybe it's in the salt mix?

Here were my test results:
NO3 2.5 (Elos)
PO4 0.03 (Hanna)
Ca 440 (Salifert)
Mg 1350 (Elos)
Alk 2.86 (API) [converted from 8 dKH]

 

[mpoletti]

Every salt mix contains silica Dan. That is the battle that I always try to limit as there is no way we can eliminate completely.

 

[DanW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15586607#post15586607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
Every salt mix contains silica Dan. That is the battle that I always try to limit as there is no way we can eliminate completely.

Thanks Mark, I am surprised to see it so high. According to the salt analysis TMP has an average silica of 0.5 and my test came out at 0.8. On a percentage basis that is huge and also given that the "acceptable range" (as defined by AWT) is 0.00 to 0.5. BTW did you notice that only two salts they tested had an acceptable average results?


Also that's a great idea of buying two test kits with different lot numbers to confirm each kit. I suppose once you get the same test results from the two kits you can safely assume that both kits are good.

 

[aquariumclown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15586553#post15586553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
There were many reports of salifert being off, especially their Alk test. They may of fixed it, but after the bad experiences they had, I will never buy another salifert product. I have two elos alk kits. I try to buy them every 6 weeks so I can have a comparison. Having them spread apart should also make sure they are not from the same batch.

Yea I heard that about Salifert, but I have 2 new Salifert alk kits new that I need to use and these include calibration fluid which is on target. Even so...I don't know who to believe anymore.

 

[aquariumclown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15586607#post15586607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
Every salt mix contains silica Dan. That is the battle that I always try to limit as there is no way we can eliminate completely.

Just fyi in case you guys don't know GFO filters out slica. But I'm sure it won't completely eliminate.

 

[aquariumclown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15586564#post15586564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
For comments, below are my AWT test results. The parameters I tested prior to sending came in close except for PO4. My PO4 reading was 0.03 (Hanna) and the difference is much higher than the Hanna margin of error. Anyone have a clue on how to reconcile?

Ammonia (NH3-4) Good 0.004
Nitrite (NO2) Good 0.018
Nitrate (NO3) Good 2.8
Phosphate (PO4) Good 0.15
Silica (SiO2-3) High 0.8
Potassium (K) Low 290
Calcium (Ca) Good 424
Boron (B) Low 2.2
Molybdenum (Mo) High 0.2
Strontium (Sr) Good 7.9
Magnesium (Mg) Good 1256
Iodine (I¯) Good 0.04
Copper (Cu++) Good 0.01
Alkalinity (meq/L) Good 2.99

What else is odd is that I dose potassium because my samples always come in low and every test since dosing comes in low and all at about the same value. I also use water with zero TDS so the silica number puzzles me. Maybe it's in the salt mix?

Here were my test results:
NO3 2.5 (Elos)
PO4 0.03 (Hanna)
Ca 440 (Salifert)
Mg 1350 (Elos)
Alk 2.86 (API) [converted from 8 dKH]

Thanks Dan. Looks like the tests you used were right on target. I'm most concerned about my alk and ca. Maybe I should switch alk test kits to API. I need to do more cross checking with people. Too bad you don't live closer Dan, I would love to have you do a couple of quick tests with my water and vice versa.

 

[Dejavu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15585956#post15585956 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
OK I understand everything except for one part. The part after "A salt bridge is" (signed Maxwell Smart). Brian, do you think that there is a quality difference between a Neptune standard grade probe and a Bulk Reef Supply generic standard grade probe?

Dan- Neither go into get detail about there probe. If it isn't a lab grade probe from Hach, I would just go with the cheapest. Just remember to calibrate at least once per month.

I have a cheap one and it work OK if I calibrate often.

 

[Dejavu]

How did they test for phosphates? If they tested for total phosphates, the result would be must higher, considering that Hanna and most test kits and only test for ortho-phosphates.

 

[DanW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15587166#post15587166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
Too bad you don't live closer Dan, I would love to have you do a couple of quick tests with my water and vice versa.

Yup, would be happy to do it but I'm way up on the other side of OC.

 

[DanW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15587198#post15587198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dejavu
How did they test for phosphates? If they tested for total phosphates, the result would be must higher, considering that Hanna and most test kits and only test for ortho-phosphates.

Thanks Brian, I just ordered two new probes from BRS. I'm not sure which PO4 test they run but last time their test came back at 0.04 and my Hanna showed 0.03. Its odd that this time they were so far apart.

 

[aquariumclown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15590230#post15590230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
Yup, would be happy to do it but I'm way up on the other side of OC.

Haha oops, I must have your location confused with Kenny's :lol:

 

[Dejavu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15590244#post15590244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DanW
Thanks Brian, I just ordered two new probes from BRS. I'm not sure which PO4 test they run but last time their test came back at 0.04 and my Hanna showed 0.03. Its odd that this time they were so far apart.

That's odd, I know in the pass some of there testing method were in question. From what I understand it was more to do with the way the tested Ca. I would guess is that either they tested for total PO4's or the container was contaminated. I would trust your hanna. Is there anyone around you with an other hanna to compare with?

 

[aquariumclown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15590280#post15590280 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
Haha oops, I must have your location confused with Kenny's :lol:

Dan, let's schedule some time, I wanna check out your tank.

 

[Reefer08]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15590603#post15590603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dejavu
That's odd, I know in the pass some of there testing method were in question. From what I understand it was more to do with the way the tested Ca. I would guess is that either they tested for total PO4's or the container was contaminated. I would trust your hanna. Is there anyone around you with an other hanna to compare with?

Thats possible that the container was contaminated. How do you ship the water sample to AWT?

 

[saltyg135er]

Sorry to hear about your other losses, I also got your pm and I sent you a reply. Hope everything gets back to normal soon.

Michael