Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt Parameters

R

rc1626

Member
Just some FYI.
Been using Red Sea Blue bucket for about 6 months or so. Before that was IO regular for a couple of years. Alk was ok with the two but found Mag to be way low with both and Ca to be low with IO. Didn't like adding to new saltwater mix all the time, esp. Mag, had to add a lot to get it to where I wanted it. Wanted to find a salt that would be pretty spot on to what I was looking for.

I've used TMPR before a few years ago and liked it until I got a bad batch with super low Alk. Found out too late and stupid me didn't test parameters when starting new bucket. Well I'm back with it. Just mixed up 20 gallons and these are the parameters I got.

Alk ~ 7.9 DKH (Salifert)

Ca ~ 450 (Red Sea)

Mag ~ 1400 (Red Sea)

Based on Tropic Marin's analysis both Alk and Ca came in within specified ranges. Mag was a little higher than specified.

Although it is an expensive salt it gives me pretty much the exact parameters I'm looking for. Hopefully it stays consistent.

Just wanted to share my experience and hope it helps someone else.
 
According to my records the last time I mixed up some IO these were the parameters. Not going to say I'm perfect so could be user error in the numbers but I'm pretty careful when conducting my tests. Could have been test kit error as well but if I remember correctly Red Sea came out close to advertised #'s using same test kits.

Alk ~ 7.7

Ca ~ 300

Mag ~1000

This was probably about 10 months ago. Last batch of IO I used before going to Red Sea regular (blue bucket)

As you can see Mag and Ca were way off. I wasn't happy having to constantly supplement my new saltwater hence the change to Red Sea.
 
rc1626 said:
According to my records the last time I mixed up some IO these were the parameters. Not going to say I'm perfect so could be user error in the numbers but I'm pretty careful when conducting my tests. Could have been test kit error as well but if I remember correctly Red Sea came out close to advertised #'s using same test kits.

Alk ~ 7.7

Ca ~ 300

Mag ~1000

This was probably about 10 months ago. Last batch of IO I used before going to Red Sea regular (blue bucket)

As you can see Mag and Ca were way off. I wasn't happy having to constantly supplement my new saltwater hence the change to Red Sea.
Click to expand...



No idea what it could be, but something's not right with these numbers. I could see one being off because a test kit was bad -- but all three? Don't know what to tell you; I never had this experience.
 
Could it have been a bad batch? Now I'm curious. I have a 200 gallon box that has been sitting on the shelf. I might have to pop a bag open and mix up a gallon or two. Will let you know.
 
Bananafish said:
No idea what it could be, but something's not right with these numbers. I could see one being off because a test kit was bad -- but all three? Don't know what to tell you; I never had this experience.
Click to expand...

I had a similar issue with IO and tested with Hanna, Salifert, Red Sea, and API to verify the results.
 
If you don't mix the entire bag or bucket at once you could encounter stratification. Mix the bag up really well before use. Buckets, especially unused, are a bit harder. Tumble it around and turn upside down many times.


I ran into that issue also by not mixing up enough volume and not sampling from enough places.
 
To be honest: What really wonders me if i read ANY salt measurement results, but it is not posted "at which salinity level" the Ca,Alk/Mg values have been measured. Salinity has 1:1 direct influence to these values. A lower salinity automatically means lower ca,Alk/Mg values.

Especially the Ca300, Alk7.7, Mag1000 values in thi sthread, point me to exactly this issue.

I received a batch fresh ProReef, directly from TM/Hans-Werner Balling last week for measuring and integrating/updating my Tool AquaCalculator.

- mixed the salt itself in the container first
- added exactly 160gramm to exactly 4L of water (40g/Liter) and mixed. Let it settle for 10 min
=> salinity reached was 38,27 psu (calculated from an accurate spindle density measurement with temperature)
(high quality measurement tools for volume, temperature, weight, Large TM-spindle for density)

- measured Ca,Alk, Mg with HQ measuring kits (Reefanalytics) that have been calibrated before by reference solution (Reefanalytics), and corrected values by the measured correction factor of each test.
- Recalculated the Ca,Alk, Mg results from the "salinity they where tested" to "34,8 psu"

Result
- you need 38,2[g] Salt mixture per 1 Liter RO water to reach 34,8psu salt water
(or density 1,023 g/cm³ @25°C)
- Values at 34,8 psu for "TM ProReef" Ca:435 [mg/l], Mg:1350 [mg/l], Alk:6,3 [°dH]

Martin
 
jason2459 said:
The alk and cal seem within reason. I suspect a Mg testing error which is easy to do.
Click to expand...

I had posted my results in a previous thread. I had the results verified by other brand test kits like Red Sea. On another thread I posted my results for other big brand salts. All of the results I posted were at 1.026SG and 78degrees to keep it fair to all brands. It all comes down to consistency and the desired parameters you want in your tank.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
How is my chemistry looking?
Replies
1
Views
212
Uncle99
Uncle99
Brian60077
Red Sea Salt
Replies
3
Views
348
Uncle99
Uncle99
E
Setting up new 60 gallon tank. Mixing initial water question
Replies
7
Views
317
Elmareefer
E
T
Tank Crashing
Replies
19
Views
627
brandon429
brandon429
P
New saltwater toxic?
Replies
8
Views
180
pelagic
P
Back
Top