What's up with the salt parameters creeping higher?

[Myka]

Hi Aquaforest,

One of the reasons I switched to AF Probiotic salt is because the parameters are very close to NSW which is what I keep my SPS reef at. I'm disappointed to find that every bucket I buy has higher and higher parameters listed on your Quality Certificates, particularly alkalinity.

The latest bucket certificate at only 33 ppt says this:

Ca 420 mg/l
KH: 8.0 dKH
Mg 1410 mg/l
K 390 mg/l

What happened to NSW values, especially considering 35 ppt salinity is considered NSW average?

 

[Potatohead]

Hi Aquaforest,

One of the reasons I switched to AF Probiotic salt is because the parameters are very close to NSW which is what I keep my SPS reef at. I'm disappointed to find that every bucket I buy has higher and higher parameters listed on your Quality Certificates, particularly alkalinity.

The latest bucket certificate at only 33 ppt says this:

Ca 420 mg/l
KH: 8.0 dKH
Mg 1410 mg/l
K 390 mg/l

What happened to NSW values, especially considering 35 ppt salinity is considered NSW average?

I noticed the same thing. It's still (mostly) within the parameters listed on their site which is why I haven't really worried about it, but I would prefer lower as well.

 

[plyle02]

Reef Mineral Salt. It will raise your salinity over time, this is why recommended with weekly water changes, so for those who like to extend water changes, nothing wrong with it, simply need to pull a bit of saltwater out each week or day, depending on tank volume. I had to re-check my 2 refractos, as I saw the increase as well. I do believe this to be normal with balling salts, from others who have commented about same concern.
Cheers

 

[Potatohead]

Reef Mineral Salt. It will raise your salinity over time, this is why recommended with weekly water changes, so for those who like to extend water changes, nothing wrong with it, simply need to pull a bit of saltwater out each week or day, depending on tank volume. I had to re-check my 2 refractos, as I saw the increase as well. I do believe this to be normal with balling salts, from others who have commented about same concern.
Cheers

...

Perry I think you should re-read the OP

 

[plyle02]

Oh Crap Mindy, sorry about that, I was thinking salinity creep, my bad. I have not really tested my salt, but I have not seen any alk or ca, or mg increase that has me concerned about fluctuating parameter Thanks for the look out Potatohead, flying to San Diego today, so I am a total mess trying to get last minute things in order, lol...

 

[Myka]

Aquaforest sucks at answering their forum.

 

[ClearwaterUK]

Hi Aquaforest,

One of the reasons I switched to AF Probiotic salt is because the parameters are very close to NSW which is what I keep my SPS reef at. I'm disappointed to find that every bucket I buy has higher and higher parameters listed on your Quality Certificates, particularly alkalinity.

The latest bucket certificate at only 33 ppt says this:

Ca 420 mg/l
KH: 8.0 dKH
Mg 1410 mg/l
K 390 mg/l

What happened to NSW values, especially considering 35 ppt salinity is considered NSW average?

you could also mix at a lower salinity if preferred
NSW values are not globally the same

Some area in the Philippines have Ca as low as 360 corals are still healthy
the Red Sea in summer is 38 point and Arabian Sea 40 Point
the GBR Salinity varies North 35 point to 33 point south