Saltmix Parameters bring on the test results

[jason2459]

I've got all new Salifert kits in and doing a mini round of comparison testing vs triton to get a good cross check for accuracy. I'll continue on with testing different brands after that.

 

[jason2459]

I found out I can edit previous posts now and will keep the first post updated with the latest results.

 

[jason2459]

I have some spread sheet updating to do so went ahead and decided to test another salt brand tonight.

Aquavitro Salinity for reefs. I find it interesting they have on the label tested results from the batch this came from. Still doesn't mean something can't happen and results from a bucket can't be off.

Plus, they give quite the range for this to be in. Which goes to show that one should not expect one bucket or bag to be the same as another bucket or bag for any brand of salt. Basically what this entire thread is about. What can one generally expect from a particular salt mix.

Here's what's printed on my bucket.

 

[jason2459]

Aquavitro Salinity

35ppt

Alk
Salifert: 8.6
Seachem QC: 9.8

Ca:
Salifert 425
3rd Party: 425

Mg:
Salifert: ~1335 (.11)
3rd party: 1388

Sr:
3rd part: 8.0


Samples to be sent off to Triton tomorrow morning. Or I guess this morning.

 

[jason2459]

what the heck

Aquaforest Reef Salt.

This is not the probiotic version. I looked at their parameters as posted by aquaforest and looked pretty similar between the main 3 Alk, Ca, and Mg. Triton and I are not going to be able to test for those organics and figured its not worth the time or money to test both versions. I did get the basic marine salt and will do that one next.

There is listed slightly more Iron in the non-probiotic version which I would figure it would be the other way around as some microbes to uptake Fe. The Probiotic version includes Br but this version says it does NOT. We'll see

It came with this little sheet

Description on their site:
Designed for aquariums with more demanding SPS and LPS corals. It does not contain bromides and can be used with the assisted by ozone filtration. It does not contain any probiotic bacteria or growth media. Phosphate and nitrate free. Upon filling new marine tanks it is recommended to let animals in not earlier than after 10-14 days.

And their website gives these ranges

 

[jason2459]

Looks like you need to read between some lines for aquaforest. The parameters listed and QC tested look to be for 33ppt.

Also, just noticed the bucket says Low Bromide and their site description says no bromide. Will find out soon enough with in Triton's LOD.

At a high 35ppt
Salifert Ca: 475
Salifert Alk: 8.6
Salifert Mg: 1590

 

[jason2459]

Looks like that first missing sample of Tropic Marine Pro reappeared and made its way to Triton.

Salinity calculates to 35.41ppt

 

[jason2459]

Updated first post to include triton only results of new batches of saltmix

Triton only results

 

[jason2459]

Aquavitro Salinity Triton results are back.

The results seem very off which makes .me skeptical on its accuracy. I've ran into one other sample that came back from Triton before that was off as well. I ignored it. I sent back another sample and was normal results so I felt comfortable ignoring the off results. So, at some point I will come back to this saltmix and retest.

Here's the results.

Salinity calculates to 37.18

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That's disappointing about the Triton reproducibility.

Last time, was everything off in the same way relative to the redo?

 

[jason2459]

That's disappointing about the Triton reproducibility.

Last time, was everything off in the same way relative to the redo?

That's the odd part, no. Not everything was "off" and when retested was back "on".

 

[jason2459]

In this case the salinity is higher, calcium higher, and Mg lower then expected. If salinity and Ca was higher I would expect Mg to also be higher. So, to me something is "off" here. Could be me as well but my numbers actually lined up well with the listed 3rd party and QC analysis with in reason.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, thanks.

 

[jason2459]

OK, thanks.

No problem. I'll concede it's possible I did something wrong so I'll eventually come back and retest the aquavitro again. Probably after I get done with the other brands I already have on stock to try.

I still have the aquaforest marine and probiotic versions left and I think it's Kent saltmix.

 

[jason2459]

Just think what I may have done. If I got the salinity wrong then Mg would be even lower at a lower salinity. Thats whats getting me the most. Ca would be lower and that would mean I got the salinity wrong and the Ca wrong. It just doesn't add up IMO.

Its also odd that the calulated salinity is so high and Mg so low. Just going around and around with it.

 

[jason2459]

And double posting

 

[jason2459]

Triton has had some technical problems the past couple weeks related to updating their website and interfaces. So, they are discarding any samples they have that weren't tested that are 2 weeks old. I'll have to redo the Aquaforest Reef Salt again. They are sending new vials to people. I have all three versions of the aquaforest salt to test now too.

 

[blacktippr]

FWIW, quite a few mixes used to contain no bromide for that reason (ozone use), but now most do. IO was one of those, IIRC.

Whats up with Bromide and Ozone?

 

[jason2459]

Whats up with Bromide and Ozone?

I highly suggest these articles for anyone considering ozone use. Particularly part 1 for this question.

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley Parts 1, 2, and 3
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/rhf/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/rhf/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-05/rhf/index.php


I do use ozone into my skimmer. But I also use very little ozone to system volume. I use a 50mg/l redsea aquazone running at about 25%. I don't see much impact to orp at that level and I'm not looking to do so. I've found with a little amount used it acts like a flocculant increasing skimmate production with a small amount of oxidation benifit. Then using to much cuts skimmate production down and increases a lot of risks. IME.

It also doesn't take much at all to be effective at clearing water. Some will use it for only a couple hours right after lights on at small amounts with noticeable effects. Using small amounts also helps reduce its negative effects on potentially breathing it in or tank inhabitants.

I use to put bags of carbon over the skimmers collection cup and water exit as a precaution. I eventually taped up the holes on top but one and shoved in the airline to the skimmer to pull back in any potential of unused ozone. Life reef skimmers already do this. My current skimmer, MTC MVC, has no holes for me to even worry about so I just have some ROX GAC at the skimmers exit.

 

[jason2459]

Ok I need to get this thread going again. I'm done playing with dinos for now.