High Ca and Mg in Tunze Reef Excel Salt?

[austinaqualung]

To add detail to what Roger stated above, here's Bruce's measurements.

From the original saltwater mix that I brought in, Bruce measured the following (pretty much identical to what I measured):
alk = 6
Ca = 480
Mg = 1900
SG = 1.023

I gave Bruce some of the salt from the bucket, and he mixed it himself and let in disolve for 24 hours with the following results:
alk = 5.5-6
Ca = 365
Mg = 1180
SG = 1.023

The above measurements make a certain amount of sense due to settling. I used about 1/3 of the bucket, and the measurements showed roughtly 50% higher measurements for Ca and Mg. So going with that info, that would mean that the remaining 2/3 of the bucket would have about 1/6 of these components missing, so if settling was the issue, I would expect measurements to be about 5/6 of what everyone else was originally seeing.
Ie.
420 * 5/6 = 350
1350 * 5/6 = 1125

That's pretty close to what Bruce measured in the newly mixed saltwater, so I think that's pretty much what happened in my case.

So I would recommend (as Roger stated) that, if you don't use the whole bucket, to throughly mix the salt so that you don't have the same issues.

Unfortunately for me, I have 2/3 of a bucket that is not useable :-(.

 

[Jar*Head]

Glad the mystery was solve... I always mix my new batch regardless of weight unless i decided to mix the whole contain of salt....

 

[tbone28]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to check on this. It's much appreciated!

Roger - Is there a reason the Alk is so low? Is it also because only a partial batch was mixed?

 

[rvitko]

My suspicion would be that these carbonate salts should be amongst the densest and the finest and therefore at the bottom of the bucket. If you just look at the relative atomic weights, CO3 is relatively heavy so this would make sense. I think it is related to the same issue, the salt stratifying in packaging. I think the main point to take home is it is always best to mix an entire batch of salt at once, if you read older aquarium books this was something they always mentioned but even myself disregarded. This salt is particularly dry so it probably does stratify more than many of the mixes that are already somewhat moist in the bag.

 

[tbone28]

Thanks, Roger!

 

[kuramura]

Hi
I been following this thread for a while and decided to try Tunze Reef salt just received a bag from PA and will mix few gallons later(following all tips on mixing bag beforehand atc.) and post my own results tomorrow.
Thank you guys for great info.

 

[kuramura]

Hi
Just tested new batch mixed for 24 hours 1.026 80 deg.
API tests
PH 8.4
Alk 8-9
Cal 420-440
Red Sea Mag 1200

My testing could be off on mag. but overall looks good will stick with this salt for a while.

 

[Jar*Head]

Got my tunze salt yesterday, mixed 50g at 35ppt. I will do some testing tonight when i get home. All test kits from Elos except PO4. I will post the result tonight and tomorrow night. I will do 3 separate test with 24hrs apart....

 

[tbone28]

Kuramura - thanks for the update! looks good

Steve - did you order your pallet already? Or just a bag for testing purposes?

 

[Jar*Head]

Just a bag for testing purpose.... My curiosity is killing me sometime . Here is the update.

Salinity: 35ppt
Temp: 78F
Ca: 450 (Elos)
Mg: 1300 (Elos)
Alk: 9 (Elos)
PO4: 0 (Hanna)
NO3: 0 (Elos)
K+: 360+ (KZ Kalium test)

Salt is very easy to mix, water crystal clear after 15 mins. I use the Eheim 1260 to mix

 

[tbone28]

numbers look great and consistent with everyone else's numbers who got the free bag.

 

[Jar*Head]

I will definitely use the Tunze Salt for my new tank. The number look great, easy to mix...

I will do another testing tonight and tomorrow night to see if anything change.....

 

[Canarygirl]

Hi all,

Just did a search on this salt because I mixed up my first batch of it the other day, and wanted to see what others experiences were.

I'm happy with what I'm reading here. I also can report that this salt mixes up crystal clear in my 50g Brute can, no sediment whatsoever. THis is such a pleasant change after my last several water changes which left copious amounts of white powder in the bottom of the mixing vat (I'd been using a mix of 50/50 Seachem Reef Salt and Tropic Marin Pro Reef).

So, if I fill my 50g container to within 3 inches of the top with RO/DI, I estimate that's about 45 gallons. If I put in a whole bag of the Tunze salt, do you think I'll get a salinity of ~1.025 -- 1.026? Or lower?

 

[Jar*Head]

Jan, The bag will make up 64g of salt water at 1.020. If you mix the whole bag in 46g, your sg may read above 1.030. Please check with the refrac before you do any water change. Unless you want your fish to turn into chinese salty fish...

You know you can always call me for help right

 

[Canarygirl]

You know you can always call me for help right

I do know that, Steve. You're the best.

I do measure the salinity on my new batches of make-up water. Lately what I do is cross-check my refractometer with my large Tropic Marin floating hydrometer. That's how I learned that my refractometer was out of wack. This has been a better cross-check for me than calibration with pinpoint solution.

Are you still using and liking the Tunze salt?

 

[Jar*Head]

I LOVE tunze salt. I got a bag couple months ago to test the parameter and it was perfect for Zeovit user. As you know my tank is currently in the garage collecting dirt . But i talk all my friend into using this salt and they have the same reaction. The salt mixed crystal clear in a mater of mins. The parameter stay consistent.

Once i am ready to setup my tank, i will order a pallet.

 

[Canarygirl]

now THAT's what I call dedication! Mixing up a batch of salt to test the parameters, when you don't even have a tank online! :lol:

 

[Jar*Head]

Well, i have my friends come over with containers to pickup the salt water after i finish with all the testing and have them do 10-15% of water change. THAT's how i convince them to change from TM Pro to Tunze...

 

[Canarygirl]

OK, I just tested my batch of 45 gallons of Tunze saltwater. (I opened my new bucket and divided it into two buckets that I mixed well and then combined.)

Water has mixed for 48 hours at 77 degrees.

Salinity is 1.026 per my floating Tropic Marin hydrometer. (These things are trustworthy 100% of the time...right??)

Anyway, the Alk measured 7-7.5 per Elos
Ca measured 350 per Elos
Mg measured 1200 per Elos

I performed each test twice to be certain of the results. What gives?? I am pretty confused. Why would I get such different results than everybody else has?

 

[Jar*Head]

hmmm check your hydrometer. Make sure you wash it very well after every use.