Where can I find info on the Ca+ and Mg2+ levels of aquarium salts?

[hansnfrans]

Mainly looking for info on Reef Crystals, Instant Ocean, and Kent salts. It'd be best if someone has a link to a comparison of different salts and their elemental makeup. Thanks.

 

[bubbletip2]

Maybe not what you are looking for, but here you go,

http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2004/feature.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-03/rs/feature/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/12/aafeature1

Also part 3 of Eric B.'s study with Kim Lowe should be released in the near future.

 

[Billybeau1]

I've never tested Kent but

Reef Crystals @ 1.026 is about 420 calcium and 1260 mag

Instant Ocean about 360 calcium and 1100 mag

 

[hansnfrans]

Thanks!

 

[Evolley1]

I think I may switch to Reef Crystals here in the near future based on this and other threads I have heard about. I may pay a little more but in the end I think my SPS's will be happier. Just a thought.

 

[Rod Buehler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8338210#post8338210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Evolley1
I think I may switch to Reef Crystals here in the near future based on this and other threads I have heard about. I may pay a little more but in the end I think my SPS's will be happier. Just a thought.

That whole study with IO being the worst and RC being the best..... I dunno.. They are supposed to be the same salts with RC having buffers and a little extra calcium added.. How can they both be on opposite ends of the scale.

 

[Billybeau1]

Rod, I don't put much credence in the study. I was using RC even before the rumors started about EB's salt study.

I like it. Plain and simple. How can you not like 420 ppm calcium and 1260 mag

 

[hansnfrans]

My main concern is with the salt having a high Mg2+ level, b/c the way I see it is: It is much cheaper and easier to make up for low Ca+ in the salt than it is to make of for a salt that is too low in Mg2+. So basically I'm on the lookout for whichever salt is has Mg2+ levels closest to that of natural seawaterl.

 

[Billybeau1]

The only salt I know of is that is high in mag is Oceanic. Unfortunately it is also way too high in calcium.

I recently tested Oceanic and it was 580 calcium and over 1600 mag.

The good thing about mag is once you get it up, it is easy to keep it there.

 

[SaraB]

Here is a recent thread from the SPS area on choosing a salt ... hope it helps:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=939631

 

[hansnfrans]

Thanks Sara.

Billybeau1: those levels are ridiculous. I wonder what the Alk would be in saltwater made up with that Oceanic salt. Wonder why a company would put out a product like that. If those levels are true, then that salt would be pretty useless for a reeftank.

 

[Billybeau1]

Well, Alk was 8.5 dkh with the Oceanic.

Some people with large calcium consuming tanks find Oceanic just right for them. Thats why they make it I guess.

And they are true. I'm pretty good at testing.