Yet another analysis of synthetic sea water mixes

[shiveley]

An analysis of synthetic sea water mixes
by AquariumWaterTesting.com 12/07 - 02/08

http://reefsaltanalysis.googlepages.com/AWT_Salt_Analysis_0208.pdf

 

[Ebmorri]

Link no worky :-(

 

[shiveley]

fixed.

 

[mpoletti]

Very Interesting. I wonder if the RC sample they were using was one from the "bad batch" with low CA and MG.

 

[edsimmons]

Nice link thanks John!

 

[shiveley]

okay, so here is my attempt to approximate these numbers to a standard .35 ppt solution (I think the numbers look right, but I'll admit that I did do this pretty fast).

 

[Reefugee]

Thanks for posting it. It looks like CL (Corallife?) is the best salt. It's interesting the Instant Ocean scored better than Reef Crystal. Makes you wonder if RC is more of a marketing hype than IO.

BTW - I am currently using RC (bought like 10 buckets from DFS awhile back). My saltwater usually test about 1150Mg and about 390 Ca at 1.026.

 

[bladeruner143]

Well, this was just one "study" so you have to take it with a grain of salt. it was interesting that they didn't do another replicate for some of the results that were significantly different. This got me thinking about using a Mass Spec. to find some of this stuff out on my own. *EDIT NM, I dont think we have the necessary equipment for measuring organometallics

 

[mpoletti]

I have noticed that my last two buckets of RC have been aound the same numbers Minh. They have been much lower. That is why I asking about the "bad batch" thing.

 

[Reefugee]

Bladerunner - you're correct. One sample test results isn't enough to make any conclusion. But it's better than nothing.

 

[shiveley]

UPDATED INFO

FYI, from AWT:
"We watched the Reef Central posts this morning to gauge the responses to the salt assay. We believe there is some misunderstanding pertaining to the actual salts that were tested. The salt that we mixed up for the "yield" test was discarded after the data was collected. The salts that were tested by parameter were all mixed up to 53mS (35ppt), and double checked with a temp-compensated refractometer".

so, basically my table is incorrect and unnecessary because they're saying that all parameters were measured at 35 ppt, and not at the same salinity levels recorded during the "yeild" phase of the study. sorry for the confusion.

 

[plankton]

I'm surprised how much Phosphate and Nitrite is measured especially in IO. I do mix with powerhead and heater for 24 plus hours and am curious how many other people do and for how long you allow it to mix?

Scott

 

[edsimmons]

I also mix for 24hr w/ a PH but don't run the heaters till about 2 hr before the actual WC.

 

[Reefugee]

Scott,

I have had water mixed for as short as 8 hours and as long as a week (may 1.5 weeks). It depends on how motivated I am to actually do a water change.

Minh

 

[BodiBuilt]

Hmmmm..... Interesting analysis!