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- May 26, 2017
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Regarding alternate Marine Pure blocks made in China, I would think a different manufacturing formula might have a higher concentration of alumina - which would exacerbate the problem - but I would still think the 8.3 threshold would hold true. There are honestly few ceramic items made more cheaply than a flower pot. And few plants as sensitive as orchids. If orchids show no adverse aluminum effects in a flower pot at a pH level below 8.3 I am inclined to believe the Marine Pure blocks will also remain inert below 8.3. But a reef aquarium is certainly more complicated than a flower pot.
That said - these blocks are clearly fired at a very low temperature. Just over quartz inversion. So they are *very* soft and fragile. And ceramic dust is omni-present. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is to avoid ceramic dust. So there are certainly other ways non-toxic forms of aluminum can show up in a Triton test.
I would be extremely interested to hear your results. I am inclined to continue using my spheres because I am rather confident in my pH measurements and in knowing my pH never gets above 8.2. And I have been very pleased with the benefits of the spheres and have never seen any evidence of aluminum toxicity. But it does give me pause.
That said - these blocks are clearly fired at a very low temperature. Just over quartz inversion. So they are *very* soft and fragile. And ceramic dust is omni-present. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it is to avoid ceramic dust. So there are certainly other ways non-toxic forms of aluminum can show up in a Triton test.
I would be extremely interested to hear your results. I am inclined to continue using my spheres because I am rather confident in my pH measurements and in knowing my pH never gets above 8.2. And I have been very pleased with the benefits of the spheres and have never seen any evidence of aluminum toxicity. But it does give me pause.