HW reefer salt and red sea test kits problems

[Mikepl84]

i mixed a batch of 160 gallons salt using HW reefer salt

BRS States

Upon BRS analysis - hw-Marinemix Reefer contained Calcium at 445-450 ppm, Alk of 9.0 dKH, Magnesium at 1380 ppm


i just mixed a 160 gallons in a container and tested it.

salinity 1.026

kh - 7.8
mg- 1200
ca- 400


am i doing something wrong , i let it mix using a gyro pump and two corelias for over 8 hours. is it possible i got a bad batch of salt >?


plz help i'm really new at this

 

[thegrun]

How are you measuring your salinity? If it is with a refractometer have you calibrated it with a standard 35ppt solution? Low salinity will lead to low calcium, alkalinity and magnesium.
Did you mix the salt slowly into cold water? Mixing it into warm water or dumping the salt in too quickly can cause calcium precipitation which will lower all three parameters.
Did you stir up the salt in its bucket or box? Salts can have pockets of low and high concentrations of elements, it's best to mix it up well before using it.
...but yes you could also have a bad batch of salt.

 

[csb123]

Also test for potassium. I’ve had boxes with only half of the proper level.