Salt Analysis Study Results

[DrBegalke]

I certainly understand Billybeau's point that if it works well for your tank, use it... and I also agree with Randy that what is tested today might not be what is sold tomorrow.

I guess I just come from a very evidence-based field, so to me, the more data the better.

Given the fact that salts can and do change would seem to argue for more testing (and sharing of results), not less.

For example, Billybeau's thread is useful to me even though I have an established water change protocol.

 

[recife111]

Does it really matter if some of the readings are low, say only 1200 Magnesium?

If the readings of magnesium was say 1400, it would be well below that within a week, so i find it funny when hobbyist bang on about the higher readings of a particular salt.

Quality and greater consistency of the salt is more important than getting perfect levels.

Some salts might have good levels however they might use cheap ingredients as this gets the price down.

 

[Billybeau1]

Actually, in most tanks, magnesium depletes much slower than cal and alk.

 

[USC-fan]

THREAD OF THE MONTH!!!!!!

Awesome works guys. I been looking for a new salt mix since reef cystals has went down hill. Looks like I will give coralife a try!!!

 

[IndyReefMan]

Would mixing various brands of salt mixes together for water changes be of any benefit? For example-

1/3 Instant Ocean
1/3 Coralife
1/3 Reefers Best

It would seem that by mixing different brands together, we would be able to concoct our own blend that would be closer to NSW values. Furthermore, if we received a bad batch of one particular brand, it might not have such a negative impact on our systems if we didn't catch it in time. Does anyone see any potential problems with doing this?

 

[sherm71tank]

It would be a good move as long as you know that the three salts you plan on blending are in fact not made by the same manufacturer and could not have the same error made (like when the Kent salt I used had zero alk).

 

[rbursek]

3 buckets from AM RC 1.026 7.7PH 77*F 340Ca API, 10K Elos, 1250 Mg Elos

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11865559#post11865559 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rbursek
3 buckets from AM RC 1.026 7.7PH 77*F 340Ca API, 10K Elos, 1250 Mg Elos

What store is AM? Dang, your calcium is low.... they still haven't fixed this....

 

[MarineFlake]

My 2 cents...1 cent...Mixing to a given SG was not the point of the test. The point was to provide a quantifialbe amount of each salt and give the results of what was found in that mix. Part of that is the amount of salt. If you were to mix all the salts to a SG, then you would skew the intended results of *this* experiement. If you examine the numbers, it shows what most of us already know. Just about all of them, if I may be allowed to generalize, are at or below on things like Alk and MG. Hence the reason those same mfg's sell suppliments ; )

2 cent...I have used almost every major slat brand (Not a couple mixes, a couple buckets) and I can not for the life of me believe that Coralife pro is all that and a bag of chips. I have suffered *FAR* more unexplained bleaching and water chemistry issues using it. My personal choice is, what I believe was #2, Kent. I don't believe you will ever get complete, consistent mixes, even from within the same bucket for lots of reasons (temp, source water, filter wear as time goes on, etc)

Bear in mind, that the test was just as stated, a sample of each vendors product. I would like to thank them for putting the time in and sharing, free of charge, their results!

Thanks!!

 

[EvilE]

I just re-tested my Calcium from my bucket of RC. It tested at around 300Ca. I couldn't believe it so I tested my display tank (which I have been using IO/Oceanic) and it tested at 420Ca. So I re-tested my RC, and it is indeed 300 Ca. Craptastic.....

 

[Billybeau1]

rb, I'd be curious to know at what s.g. you mixed that salt at and how did you measure ?

 

[Billybeau1]

Same question for you EvilE.

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11867875#post11867875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Same question for you EvilE.

I mixed the salt one level half cup of RC to an exact gallon of distilled water. I let it mix in a bucket at room temp (around 72 or so degrees) using a powerhead, for about 12 hours. I then used my API Calcium test kit, and got around 300 Ca. So I tested my display tank water, it came in at about 420 Ca, then I re-tested my RC mixed water, and again got 300 Ca.

 

[melev]

And what salinity do you get using 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water?

And what salinity do you keep your tank at?

 

[EvilE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11867963#post11867963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
And what salinity do you get using 1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water?

And what salinity do you keep your tank at?

good point. I didn't measure the salinity of the tested RC, but my tank is usually around 1.026 or 1.027......

I just mixed the RC water to the recommended directions by them! Even if the salinity was lower in the RC water, 300 Ca is still way low! I would bet you anything the calcium level is super low no matter what.

 

[cayars]

You're comparing apples and oranges EvilE doing it that way. You really need to get the levels exactly the same using the same instrument for both your tank and bucket to compare them head to head.

Carlo

 

[cayars]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11856322#post11856322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
:lol:

Yes, I did that before I found out they already increased the salinity for that test.

Unfortunately, I can't make it go away. I don't have the magic key.

I guess I could just say I screwed up. The numbers I posted in that post are wrong as I misunderstood AWT's testing process.

Well yes they were bumped high but I had already realized that and wasn't referring to that part. I was referring to the "My test" results that were performed by Billybeau1.

I've never personally been able to test any brand of salt at levels I've seem him quote in different messages using any test kits and in general I'd say many of his test results are about 100 ppm high on the reading from what I've tested using both test kits and meters.

I know with many test kits people tend to add reagents until the color fully changes and end up with overly high numbers. With some test kits you only go to a slight color change and you have your result.

It definitely helps to have known solutions on hand to test/practise with to verify test kits and how to use it brand accordingly.

Carlo

 

[rbursek]

AM is the manifacture, I sent in samples on the 3 buckets I bought last fall from DrF&S and they tested low, so they sent me 3 new buckets, Ca still low.

 

[Billybeau1]

EvilE, exactly 1/2 cup of RC in 1 gallon of water will not yield 1.0264. Not even close. The reason you are getting low calcium numbers is because you are mixing too lean. I highly doubt your tank is 1.026 from what you have reported. You may want to pick up a refractometer as salinity is extremely important in reef tanks.

rb, you haven't told me what you mix your s.g. at yet.

Cayars, My tests were run with 3 different test kits. I have been testing a long time. I stand by my numbers.

 

[sherm71tank]

I agree that Billybeau1's test results seem consistently high (although optimistic!).