strontium reduction

[BAJABOWLER]

Randy,

What brand off salt mix has the lowest levels of strontium? My test kit is showing a level higher than 40 ppm(salifert). I have noticed zoanthids are not expanding, as well as a reduction in tissue expansion in a large colony of torch coral.

My tank is 270 gals, 110 sump

thanks

 

[Billybeau1]

I'll chirp in until Randy gets here.

According to the last test I saw, Tropic Marin, Reef Crystals and Coralife had the lowest strontium readings. Just at or slightly below natural seawater. Instant Ocean had the highest (more than double the amount). The study is about 6 years old though. Not sure if any of the companies have changed their formulas since.

Im not all that sure thats causing your problem though. Many many reefers use IO with great success.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Oceanic claims to not add any, although tests seem to show some that probably comes in as an impurity.

Any idea how it got that high? If not, it may be a testing error.

 

[BAJABOWLER]

I'll try testing some freshly made salt water. This should give me a baseline for any type of testing error. I also have 2 identical test kits, I can compare. I'll let you know tomarrow, what the results are.

 

[BAJABOWLER]

Hey guys, I think I must of miss handled the samples before. I measured 6ppm for the tank water and 0-4ppm for the new Instant ocean makeup water. I was a good 25 minute exercise of the mini chemistry set.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

These articles may be useful:

Strontium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2003/chem.htm

Magnesium and Strontium in Limewater
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2003/chem.htm