Salt Analysis Study Results

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 agree that Billybeau1's test results seem consistently high

You folks think that 350 ppm calcium and 1070 ppm for magnesium in IO is unusually high? That doesn't seem unusually high to me. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11868718#post11868718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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
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I know, but regardless, I mixed the RC exactly the way they say to, and got 300 Ca. To me that's the bottom line. It was well mixed (12 hours) and aerated (used a AC30 powerhead), and the calcium level is WAY low.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11869567#post11869567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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. :)
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I have a refractometer! I keep my tank at a higher salinity purposely, since it is a mixed reef. I just thought (and have read on certain threads) that for the purpose of testing a new bucket of salt, use the manufacturer's directions of 1/2 cup per gallon, and test. So that's what I did. I can mix some with higher salinity today and re-test, should I do that?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11870419#post11870419 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
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 agree that Billybeau1's test results seem consistently high

You folks think that 350 ppm calcium and 1070 ppm for magnesium in IO is unusually high? That doesn't seem unusually high to me. :)
Click to expand...

No I don't. I do remember seeing some test results by Billybeau1 a while back though from various salts that I thought were high. I don't remeber the specific thread.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11870777#post11870777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilE
I have a refractometer! I keep my tank at a higher salinity purposely, since it is a mixed reef. I just thought (and have read on certain threads) that for the purpose of testing a new bucket of salt, use the manufacturer's directions of 1/2 cup per gallon, and test. So that's what I did. I can mix some with higher salinity today and re-test, should I do that?
Click to expand...

No, you want to mix the salt (as much as you need) to reach 1.026sg (35ppt), then test the calcium level.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11871755#post11871755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
No, you want to mix the salt (as much as you need) to reach 1.026sg (35ppt), then test the calcium level.
Click to expand...
ok will do
 
Well, I'm outta answers for ya buddy.

If you truly think the new buckets you received are still low in calcium, then I would call them up and ask them what you should do.

I can't believe with all you've been through that they would have made the same mistake twice. But who knows. Could happen, I guess.

You did say you got a second opinion, right ?

One other thing. You got three buckets, right ?

Have you tested a sample from each bucket?
 
I only mixed up from one bucket so far, I can mix a small amout from the other 2 tomorrow. I got a second opion on the refatormeter calibration. I test the Ca with a new API kit.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11870419#post11870419 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
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 agree that Billybeau1's test results seem consistently high

You folks think that 350 ppm calcium and 1070 ppm for magnesium in IO is unusually high? That doesn't seem unusually high to me. :)
Click to expand...

No not at all Randy but take a look at some of the others:
Instant Ocean 350
Reef Crystals 420
Coralife 560
Kent 540
Red Sea Coral Pro 490
Tropic Marin 375
TM Pro Reef 450
Oceanic 580
Seachem Marine 500
Seachem Reef 540

Some seem about right while others seem really high. Basically all the ones over 500 in particular seem oddly high to me and I don't get anywhere near those numbers regardless of what test kit I use or even with the properly calibrated Pinpoint Calcium monitor. Oceanic is high however.

Carlo
 
Carlo, All my testing was done in the same fashion and using the same equipment.

I have been using Coralife on and off for years and I can assure you the calcium is indeed that high.

I stand by my numbers. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11886744#post11886744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Carlo, All my testing was done in the same fashion and using the same equipment.

I have been using Coralife on and off for years and I can assure you the calcium is indeed that high.

I stand by my numbers. :)
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:) I've tested mine and come up with similar numbers.
 
I don't want to argue that you get those numbers as I'm sure you do as well as others.. All I'm stating is that I don't and I can use a pinpoint meter that's just been calibrated. Or using a Salifert test kit after running a known solution to it so I know how far to watch the color change.

AWT also didn't get numbers as high as you did either. None of the other salt tests (although getting old) have ever gotten numbers that high either.

I guess maybe what I'd suggest it getting a calibration solution and try testing against that to see if you come up with the same numbers.

I've done an experiment where I've given a sample of water from a tank to a bunch of people at the same time and have had them test the water. You'd be surprised how far off the numbers you get from the same test kit and water just by having a different set of eyes doing the test.

Maybe the moral is that we shouldn't rely on what other people test their salts at as we could just as easily have come up with a far higher or lower number ourselves.

Carlo
 
AWT also didn't get numbers as high as you did either. None of the other salt tests (although getting old) have ever gotten numbers that high either.

Billy's results for calcium higher than AWT for many, but I was addressing your blanket statement that they were all high. Some (IO, Reef Crystlas, maybe Oceanic) are right on target with the values that those mixes have shown for years, and IO is actually below AWT's value. I do not know if there is a testing difference, or a real difference in calcium between what you have gotten and what Billy gets. :)
 
Interesting thread. I wonder why it is that everybody is quick to jump on salt manufacturers for alleged issues with batch consistancy / compostion, yet no one questions the consitancy / accuracy of the test kits being used? I have personally read many threads in this forum regarding issues with the Salifert kits, and API is historically and primarily a freshwater product company with little to no experience dealing with marine aquaria. Yet we never question the accuracy or consistancy of their test kits for measuring saltwater? A quick glance at the website shows approximately 98% freshwater products.

Another thought.... I seem to remember reading that SeaChem's calcium test was consistantly off by 70ppm or so. Could this be why their salts read so consistantly high in calcium? perhaps they are drinking their own KoolAid so to speak? If they believe their kits to be accurate, then subtracting 70ppm from Billy's results would actually put their calcium levels much closer to acceptable norms.....

Also, one of the very forst posts i this thread mentions that AWT actually is affiliated with a salt manufacturer?? Whether they tested their own product or not, this makes any results highly suspicious. Even in other industries where there is significant government regulation, this would be highly irregular. For instance, if Pfizer were to release a study on the efficacy of ED drugs, not including Viagara of course, the results would at the least be suspect especially if several of the top market share leaders had less than desirable results.
Sorry to sidetrack a very interesting thread.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11919777#post11919777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
AWT also didn't get numbers as high as you did either. None of the other salt tests (although getting old) have ever gotten numbers that high either.

Billy's results for calcium higher than AWT for many, but I was addressing your blanket statement that they were all high. Some (IO, Reef Crystlas, maybe Oceanic) are right on target with the values that those mixes have shown for years, and IO is actually below AWT's value. I do not know if there is a testing difference, or a real difference in calcium between what you have gotten and what Billy gets. :)
Click to expand...

Agreed Randy it shouldn't have been a "blanket statement" and my results do come out similar on some but others seem way high.

I think I mainly wanted to point out that a fellow reefer (right or wrong) can come up with different readings then you would so maybe it's not a great idea to "jump" brands because of this or that level that someone else tests. Sure use it as a starting point to base a decision on but do your homework!

Carlo
 
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