Marine Salt Comparison

[seffieuk]

Ok, we have been talking about Marine salts on another thread and have come to the conclusion we need to do our own testing, so here goes:

To make it a fair test we need to be using the same:

SG 35 ppt
Temp. 26c
0 TDS
Salifer tests

If you use another test, please still give us your findings, but just say which test you are using (everyone welcome )
Testing for the usual suspects:

Ca
Mag
Alk
PH
Phos
Disolves easily/quickly/slowly/leaves undissolved etc.
Price

Please test your own water and do not just use the manufacturers own readings

OK, let the experiment begin

Reef Crystals
Instant ocean
Tropic Marine
Kent Marine
Seachem
Red Sea Coral Pro
H2o
Tunze Reef
Aquaone
and others

Please post your results here



Seffie x

 

[adamgreen240]

I think we should also test for nitrate. I have heared some stories about traces in some salt.

Anyway im using Deltec H2Ocean:

Ca - 450
Mag - 1400
Alk - 9.8
PH - 8.3
Phos - 0.00
Disolves easily/quickly/slowly/leaves undissolved etc. -- Takes a while to dissolve, dont know wheter its just me, but i get sediment at the bottom of the mixing container?
Price - £49.95 for 23kgs

 

[BigC]

Variables;
The water used would also have to be of 0 tds and we would all need to be using the same test kits for the results to hold any creditability Seff. Water volumes would also have to be equal & then there's the batch numbers of the salt to consider as well.
I don't want to be appearing to burst your bubble as it were on this but if we all get or equipment and water to zero tds then these tests could well be an important addition to Pinned Topics if they are conducted and collated properly.
Interesting thread and potential pinned topic in the making.
I will have to wait until midweek before I can deliver my stats.
Good luck with the results.

dont know wheter its just me, but i get sediment at the bottom of the mixing container?

You will always get this Adam...
Regards

 

[adamgreen240]

Oh ok, for the record, mine was all conducted with 0 TDS RO/DI water.
SALIFERT test kits for all tests ...

Adam

Cheekily stolen from another forum:

REMOVED by BigC, COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

 

[seffieuk]

Variables;
The water used would also have to be of 0 tds and we would all need to be using the same test kits for the results to hold any creditability Seff.

Good point, will add

Water volumes would also have to be equal & then there's the batch numbers of the salt to consider as well.

Well, yes if we were lab testing and going to publish our findings, but we are just looking at a hobby level interest, as a bit of fun and hopefully give us some guidance when buying our salty stuff and yes I said guidance

I don't want to be appearing to burst your bubble as it were on this but if we all get or equipment and water to zero tds then these tests could well be an important addition to Pinned Topics if they are conducted and collated properly.

To be honest Colin, wasn't my intention at all - just want to know which salt to change over to

Interesting thread and potential pinned topic in the making.
I will have to wait until midweek before I can deliver my stats.
Good luck with the results.

dont know wheter its just me, but i get sediment at the bottom of the mixing container?

You will always get this Adam...
Regards

Seffie x

 

[BigC]

Adam that piece of work, I am fully aware of. It belongs to a fellow reefer by the name of Muzzy and may be subject to copyright laws which this forum is bound by and could lead to legal proceedings if permission is not sought and allowed. Therefore I have had to pull the post from a legality standpoint.

Seff I know you are conducting the tests purely from a hobbyist standpoint and all credit to you for that, I just wanted to let you know that if all the testing was done in the same manner and fashion then the tests would have more creditability. That was all. As I say I will convey my findings mid-week.

Why are you wishing to change your salt.



Regards
BigC

 

[seffieuk]

Adam, do you know when those tests were done?

Seffie x

 

[seffieuk]

Adam, do you know when those tests were done?

Seffie x

don't worry, I know now - April 08

Colin, no offence intended

 

[seffieuk]

Why are you wishing to change your salt.

Regards
BigC

My test results seem to be saying that I have got less calcium, less Mag and more Alk than I should probably be aiming for - which might well be resulting in the bleaching of coraline - need to buy some more salt so good time to be having a look around I really would like to avoid starting to dose

Seffie x

 

[seffieuk]

Why are you wishing to change your salt.

Regards
BigC

My test results seem to be saying that I have got less calcium, less Mag and more Alk than I should probably be aiming for - which might well be resulting in the bleaching of coraline - need to buy some more salt so good time to be having a look around I really would like to avoid starting to dose.

From the results already posted, I'm liking the look of H2o

Seffie x

Eeekk folks, I have just gone and read Muzzy's salt thread on UR, in the chemistry section - don't want this to turn in to a fight

So lets make it clear - we will all have different batches of salt, in different size buckets/boxes and maybe even using different tests - BUT this is just for fun and a place to post our latest salt test results

 

[Trod]

My last tests were as follow

Calcium 350
Magnesium 1140
Alkalinity 9
Phosphate 0
ammonia <0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
PH 8.3

TDS 0
instant ocean
Desolves well and quickly, one of the cheaper brands

Now having posted all that I have now changed to Tropic marin salt, will post those results in couple of weeks as only just started using it. will be interesting to see if anything has changed

 

[TigerIssey]

Your calcium will increase as will magnesium Trod. That is definate.

 

[kj23502]

Someone gave me some very good advice. Always keep a few different kinds of salt on hand and alternate them with your water changes. Each type of salt will have a bit more of this and a little less of that and over time rotating them will help alleviate deficiencies that could show up when constantly using the same brand style of salt.