Saltmix Parameters bring on the test results
- Thread starter jason2459
- Start date
Potatohead
New member
It seems crazy how many salts are not even close to the advertised numbers. RSCP at 9-9.5 alk? AF Reef at 475 calcium and 1600 (!!) mag? Is it really that hard to get these numbers right? Mix the stuff the same amounts each time maybe...?
jason2459
Well-known member
Keep in mind most salts advertise levels at different salinity levels and usually below 35ppt. When brought up to 35ppt all levels are then elevated equally above the advertised amounts.
jason2459
Well-known member
I haven't yet. Looks like a good salt.
raythepilot
Member
Re: jason2459 table
I am confused by your table?
Are these your actual test results? because I don't understand what's going on in the temperature column when you list Tritron and Aquaforest.
Also salinity has a lot of weird entries and how was the salinity determined?
Finally the what method was used for determining Ca, Mg and Alk?
I am confused by your table?
Are these your actual test results? because I don't understand what's going on in the temperature column when you list Tritron and Aquaforest.
Also salinity has a lot of weird entries and how was the salinity determined?
Finally the what method was used for determining Ca, Mg and Alk?
jason2459
Well-known member
Anything I did I posted my methods at the beginning of this thread. It's detailed and done so I can do the tests the exact same way every time with any salt brand to reduce variables. Temp isn't exactly necessary if using a method that has a functioning ATC and temp is reasonable.
I use a conductivity probe and my veegee refractometer for salinity and Salifert for Ca, Alk, and Mg.
I have been sending all salts I've tested in for ICP-OES analysis as well which is what you see there as listed Triton and AquaForest as temp is well extremely hot. Plasma. Triton also does not provide alkalinity readings so that shows NA.
There are some entries from others and have provided specific gravity of the salt mixed.
I use a conductivity probe and my veegee refractometer for salinity and Salifert for Ca, Alk, and Mg.
I have been sending all salts I've tested in for ICP-OES analysis as well which is what you see there as listed Triton and AquaForest as temp is well extremely hot. Plasma. Triton also does not provide alkalinity readings so that shows NA.
There are some entries from others and have provided specific gravity of the salt mixed.
jason2459
Well-known member
I can try.
Well, what kind of parameters are you looking for in a salt. Like some want lower alk and some want a slightly higher alk which will influence dosing or not dosing. Some that dose limewater find that Ca could creep up so would rather have a lower Ca mix. Etc.
For me I have gotten out of it a couple brands I wouldn't use based on results and mixing and a few I wouldn't mind trying. Like I like the parameters of Red Sea regular non-pro. If I wanted a higher Ca mix I'd look at Coralife. But I do not like the few tests from Triton and Aquaforest on the Aquaforest saltmix with really low Sulfate. I didn't like how salinity mixed as the few times I tried it was the only mix that had some kind of undissolved particles on the bottom and not all white. Then personally since I store and use my saltmixes over a long period of time I don't want any that includes organics of any kind like vitamins, aminos, probiotics, etc. Like Reef Crystals. If the cost wasn't so high I do really like the Tropic Marine.
And in the end I'm still liking and happy with basic cheap IO. [emoji4]
For me my goal would be to keep stable levels close to our slightly above NSW. I only really know about the main 3. All the other trace minerals I don't have an understanding of what I should be looking for. I also store premixed salt so wouldn't want organics in it. Was thinking of trying Aquaforest, not sure if I need Sulphur?
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I'm not sure what you mean by sulfur. Sulfur is present in seawater as sulfate, and there's a lot of it. It'd take a very bad salt mix to have a problem there. Unfortunately, we do see some bad batches from time to time. Is there a specific problem you're trying to solve?
jason2459
Well-known member
I would not put much emphasis on trying to keep up with trace elements. But Sulfate is a major ion in seawater which some of the Aquaforest mixes tested quite low on.
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jason2459
Well-known member
Plenty of good options. Redsea, Fritz RPM, Tropic Marine, etc. All good salts. Most similar in price to IO would be Coralife from Doctor Foster and Smith that has been only a few dollars more then IO for a 200g box. (you get 4 50g bags per box).
Why do you think IO is not good for your tank?
I'm not saying it's bad, but if there's something that might be better why not try it out? I'm using IP because that's what everyone was using when I started in the hobby. At lot has changed, we have improved our tanks in many different ways. If there's new information that suggests there's better alternatives than I'd be interested.
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jason2459
Well-known member
I guess one thing I've shown in all the testing is that not much has changed in regards to the saltmix parameters from when they were tested back in 2009. The what you can expect average pretty much is what was tested and could be expected back then. But it has been only about 8 years. In the life of a tank to me that's just starting to get mature.
If anything there's been more popularization in the past 5 years or so in not doing water changes or greatly reducing them like the Triton Method or GlennF's dutch synthetic reefing. But that's another topic for another thread which has been hashed out many times over.
I really have no recommendation for a single best salt. I have my preference to what I pick for me but that's it. Pick one close to the parameters you'd want to start with as a baseline and dose up (or down) from there. Or not at all in some cases.
And really I'm sorry I can't help more then that but it really is just personal preference and based on how or what you want to maintain. Many other people though I'm sure will tell you what they believe is the best salt ever which is really not what this thread is about.
Stickboy97
Member
WOW, great thread & thanks for all the hard work! I am about to start a new 105g and want to do SPS. I have been trying to figure out what salt mix to buy and this helps a lot. I've been asking different reefers, that do mostly SPS, what their levels are, so now I have a baseline to pick a salt.
thanks again!
thanks again!
