Bad lot of RC!!!

[Peter Houde]

I have used RC for years and never thought the need to test it before a water change. I also hadn't tested Mg in my DT for years because I assumed there was no need, considering I perform weekly 25-30% water changes. But I was inspired to test Mg in my DT after reading a recent poll. I used a Salifert Profi test kit that admittedly expired 7 months ago. It measured 930 (!) Randy suggested that Mg was hard to measure, but I couldn't believe that it could be THAT far off. So I tested a newly mixed batch of water, not from the DT. It came in at 900 (!!). So I ordered a new Salifert test kit (Aquaforest was unavailable except in combo with Ca and Alk). Same result: 900. I buy RC 200g boxes, two at a time, each containing six individually sealed bags labeled "not for resale". It just so happens that I just got a new shipment of salt and tested it: 1380. So there is no question that I've been using bad salt for 3 months (!!!) It's no wonder that the film algae has started to pick up, and who knows how it has been harming my corals and clam. I intend to try to contact IO to complain and ask for a refund. But unfortunately, I no longer have the boxes the salt came in so if there was a lot number on them then I don't know what it was. But Jeez! You'd think they'd have better quality control. You'd think they'd test their product. You'd think they'd recall bad lots.

I think it may be time for me to investigate another brand of salt.

 

[rtparty]

You'd think they'd have better quality control. You'd think they'd test their product. You'd think they'd recall bad lots.

Can't be the cheapest and have quality control. Corners have to be cut. Very few of them actually test individual batches. IO doesn't recall bad batches. They don't even acknowledge them. Just sweep it under the rug and move on.

 

[UMALUM]

I have used RC for years and never thought the need to test it before a water change. I also hadn't tested Mg in my DT for years because I assumed there was no need, considering I perform weekly 25-30% water changes. But I was inspired to test Mg in my DT after reading a recent poll. I used a Salifert Profi test kit that admittedly expired 7 months ago. It measured 930 (!) Randy suggested that Mg was hard to measure, but I couldn't believe that it could be THAT far off. So I tested a newly mixed batch of water, not from the DT. It came in at 900 (!!). So I ordered a new Salifert test kit (Aquaforest was unavailable except in combo with Ca and Alk). Same result: 900. I buy RC 200g boxes, two at a time, each containing six individually sealed bags labeled "not for resale". It just so happens that I just got a new shipment of salt and tested it: 1380. So there is no question that I've been using bad salt for 3 months (!!!) It's no wonder that the film algae has started to pick up, and who knows how it has been harming my corals and clam. I intend to try to contact IO to complain and ask for a refund. But unfortunately, I no longer have the boxes the salt came in so if there was a lot number on them then I don't know what it was. But Jeez! You'd think they'd have better quality control. You'd think they'd test their product. You'd think they'd recall bad lots.

I think it may be time for me to investigate another brand of salt.

Same thing here, i was gonna start a thread warning RC users to start checking their mag and calcium. I had two buckets same lot testing in the 9s and after jumping through hoops and sending spectrum samples they confirmed it and replaced them. Those same buckets also tested calcium in the mid 3s. My tank was running at 360 and 1260. This is exactly why I told Randy that his RMM plan is neither foolproof or full proof. Simply bad advice IMO.

 

[Ironwill723]

You guys mixing the bags or rolling the buckets before mixing with water? The different elements/salts settle in the buckets/boxes/bags. Been using RC for 30+ years. Never had any problems.

 

[Linlox]

You guys mixing the bags or rolling the buckets before mixing with water? The different elements/salts settle in the buckets/boxes/bags. Been using RC for 30+ years. Never had any problems.

stratification is certainly possible i would assume.

 

[UMALUM]

You guys mixing the bags or rolling the buckets before mixing with water? The different elements/salts settle in the buckets/boxes/bags. Been using RC for 30+ years. Never had any problems.

Yes sir been rolling and flipping the buckets for 26 years myself.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Can't be the cheapest and have quality control. Corners have to be cut. Very few of them actually test individual batches. IO doesn't recall bad batches. They don't even acknowledge them. Just sweep it under the rug and move on.

I don’t totally agree here.

IO has been proven to be one of the most consistent salts on the market. Given the sales volume, problems are minimal compared to companies that sell a fraction of the salt at 3x or more of the price and have all kinds of reported consistency problems.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Same thing here, i was gonna start a thread warning RC users to start checking their mag and calcium. I had two buckets same lot testing in the 9s and after jumping through hoops and sending spectrum samples they confirmed it and replaced them. Those same buckets also tested calcium in the mid 3s. My tank was running at 360 and 1260. This is exactly why I told Randy that his RMM plan is neither foolproof or full proof. Simply bad advice IMO.

From an inside source at one point, the IO product is far more consistent due to batch size and process. It is produced by the truckloads compared to the pallet loads.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Yes sir been rolling and flipping the buckets for 26 years myself.

You would be amazed at how many people don't bother. I would assume that it never crosses the mind of most people that it would need to be done.

 

[Reefer Matt]

So far not a problem here (knock on wood) after five years of using Reef Crystals. I never roll the buckets and test alk, ca, and mg every day. I use a bucket a month.

 

[UMALUM]

So far not a problem here (knock on wood) after five years of using Reef Crystals. I never roll the buckets and test alk, ca, and mg every day. I use a bucket a month.

What's your fresh mix mag been at?

 

[Reefer Matt]

What's your fresh mix mag been at?

I haven’t tested mg in the mix before adding (I do alk though) but the two tanks with Tridents on them record an average of 1350 ppm. That’s usually within 50 ppm of my salifert test. I adjust the alk down to 8.5 dkh before using it too.

 

[Peter Houde]

Since I use nearly a complete bag with every water change, mixing isn't a factor. Moreover, I dump each bag as I need it into an old RC bucket because it is a little bit more than I need for each water change. There, as I scoop it out, it gets any further mixing that is possible. So mixing just isn't an issue.

I, too, would have said RC was just fine until this incident - because I wouldn't have known if it wasn't because I wasn't testing it in the first place. Being off by 3-400 ppm just isn't trivial enough to shrug off.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Since I use nearly a complete bag with every water change, mixing isn't a factor. Moreover, I dump each bag as I need it into an old RC bucket because it is a little bit more than I need for each water change. There, as I scoop it out, it gets any further mixing that is possible. So mixing just isn't an issue.

I, too, would have said RC was just fine until this incident - because I wouldn't have known if it wasn't because I wasn't testing it in the first place. Being off by 3-400 ppm just isn't trivial enough to shrug off.

Except for the fact that Mg tests can easily be that far off…

It is certainly possible that you had a batch with low Mg. It reality is somewhere in between given kit error and differences. Personally I would switch to IO from RC for the reasons that I mentioned above.

As for other brands, you will find horror stories about them as well. I think IO has a pretty impressive track record and clientele. Most zoos and research facilities, and aquaculture facilities use it, private and public.

 

[Uncle99]

The number of 900ppm seems very unlikely regardless of brand.

I think more of testing error.

 

[James M]

Yes sir been rolling and flipping the buckets for 26 years myself.

Is this something that should be done with every bucket ? Never heard of this and been using RC for 5+ years

 

[BeanAnimal]

Is this something that should be done with every bucket ? Never heard of this and been using RC for 5+ years

I would. The salt is a mix of crystals and powders that can stratify a bit during shipping.

 

[Peter Houde]

Except for the fact that Mg tests can easily be that far off…

It is certainly possible that you had a batch with low Mg. It reality is somewhere in between given kit error and differences. Personally I would switch to IO from RC for the reasons that I mentioned above.

As for other brands, you will find horror stories about them as well. I think IO has a pretty impressive track record and clientele. Most zoos and research facilities, and aquaculture facilities use it, private and public.

I don't use IO. I use RC. Also, I used two separate Mg test kits with the same results. I don't remember who posted it, but someone here compared Mg test kits. Sure they varied, but none by hundreds of ppm.

 

[UMALUM]

The number of 900ppm seems very unlikely regardless of brand.

I think more of testing error.

Problem is my sample sent in from both buckets was confirmed by spectrum. So when I see someone else post 9 I believe it. I'm gonna start a thread tomorrow challenging all RC users to test their product. I'm thinking spectrums cutting corners/cost and it would make sense with mag being the most expensive element that most don't test for.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Problem is my sample sent in from both buckets was confirmed by spectrum. So when I see someone else post 9 I believe it. I'm gonna start a thread tomorrow challenging all RC users to test their product. I'm thinking spectrums cutting corners/cost and it would make sense with mag being the most expensive element that most don't test for.

I’ll mix some up tonight and test it tomorrow. It would also be helpful for people to note the batch number on the lid or bag.