Saltmix Parameters bring on the test results

[jason2459]

I think tonight I will mix up the 1L cylinder and 2 gallons worth. See if I just need to ditch the idea of using the cylinder. I'd like to keep the volume small but even more important is accuracy so if 1L won't work I will move on from that idea.

Once I have something I can reproduce results consistently I'll move forward with testing other salt mixes. I actually just got in a few others. Reef Crystals, Aquavitro salinity, Tropic Marine Pro, Aquaforest Reef Salt, and Aquaforest Sea Salt.

I will spread it out but I have them shelved ready to go.

 

[jason2459]

1L @35ppt with IO tested to

Alkalinity: 11.5
Calcium: 430
Mg: 1290


Not liking the higher Ca and variance on the Mg.

Still working on bringing up 2 gallons to 35ppt. Working on it 1mS at a time.

I'm using 1/4 cup scoop slowly shaking it's contents in. It just might be me but I do notice more larger flakes going into solution.

 

[jason2459]

2 gallons mixed to 35ppt. Took just over 60 minutes to slowly hit that point as mentioned above. I slowed down towards the end. I was on pace with hitting 1mS per minute increases.

Right after mixing I tested alkalinity and it came to 10.9.

Letting salt mix now for 45 minutes from the time of hitting 35ppt.

 

[jason2459]

Now I'm feeling confident

Alk: 10.9 - 11.2 (landed on an odd number)
Ca: 405
Mg: ~1275

One last time tomorrow night I believe. I think a combination of little volume of water and possibly too small of samples of salt pulled out at a time. The bigger scoops of 1/4 cup compared to 1 gram at a time was visually different when sprinkling in the water.

I'll do the same steps I did tonight tomorrow night and I should get similar results. If I do I'm going to grab a sample and send to Triton to cross check my results. They match up at least fairly close with at least calcium and magnesium, as they don't test for alkalinity, I'll move on to the next salt brand.

 

[jason2459]

Sending a sample to Triton.

Same steps done tonight as last night.

Added saltmix slowly to RODI over 60 minute period to bring solution up to 35ppt. Mixing salt between each 1/4 cup scoop. Waited 45 minutes to test.

Alkalinity: 11.2
Calcium: 410
Mg: ~1275

So, I would say the 2009 results for at least IO are still valid. One could expect around 400 Ca, 11dKH Alk, and 1300 Mg at 35ppt or 1.0264.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Excellent.

 

[jason2459]

Thanks, now the wait for the Triton test.

So far this is the data I've collected on IO

Instant Ocean
9/30/2009 400 11 1350
1/25/2016 410 10.4 1320
8/24/2016 409.4 NA 1351
3/2/2016 405 10.9 1275
3/3/2016 410 11.2 1275

AVG 406.88 10.88 1314.20

 

[jason2459]

Results 45 minutes after achieving 35ppt at 25C were
Alkalinity: 11.5
Calcium: 420
Magnesium: 1305

Pretty darn close to what I would expect. Will repeat 1 more time.

Looks like that one was spot on. I think I can do better

Instant Ocean Triton results:
Estimates out to
35.67ppt

 

[jason2459]

One thing I really think is interesting is the silicon. Most likely from my water supply. But when testing my tank water it's well below the set point of 100ug/l. My sponges must be doing very well as I don't have a diatom issue.

Also, as I noted when scaling up to 2 gallons and larger sampling sizes I noticed larger granules when adding to the water. Once tested and before collecting samples for triton I noticed some stir along the bottom as I moved the pump around. What I need to add to my procedures is to move the circulation pump around just before achieving 35ppt and checking to see if that brings it up to 35ppt. And move it around again after the 45 minute wait is over one more time and make sure it's still at 35ppt.

With the cylinder and 1L volume the little pico pump was more then enough to stir everything up all the time. I think it's a bit under powered with the more volume but will do as long as I understand that.

So, I think I have learned and have a full set of steps I can repeat going forward. Again, doing this first with IO was very beneficial in knowing the general parameters already and tweaking my setup so I can repeat these tests again more accurately.

 

[jason2459]

So, I had someone ask me how I know my container is food grade.

Good enough? lol

 

[JimWelsh]

I'm just going to leave this here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/triton-results-for-my-instant-ocean-mix.211486/

 

[jason2459]

I'm just going to leave this here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/triton-results-for-my-instant-ocean-mix.211486/

Thanks! I actually already added those results in. That's the 8/24 results. But looks like I typed the wrong year.

 

[jason2459]

Tested a batch of Reef Crystals tonight.

25C
35ppt
Alk: 11.8
Ca: 550
Mg: 1560

Triton samples mailing out tomorrow.

 

[Cory]

Kordon sea salt:

35ppt via refractometer and weighed out in a new unopened batch and also done by calculator. 3340 grams of salt in 21 gallons. However i found it to be closer to 34.5ppt on the refractometer after results. First impressions, not impressed. Very hard to open bucket. Parameters seem low but may be lower salinity. Apparently the owner of this brand split off from Instant Ocean and started his own company. Salt is slightly cheaper than IO.

82f

Alkalinity
Salifert 9.2 dkh (kit is old)
Api 10 dkh (10 drops)
Hanna 10.13dkh

Potassium
Salifert 360/370ppm

Calcium
Api
360ppm

Magnesium
Salifert 1200ppm

Manufacturers typical results:
Typical Analysis
(in ppm) of Coral Sea brand sea water at Natural Ocean Water Salinity (35 parts per thousand)
Ion
Coral Sea*
Natural Seawater
Cl (Chloride)
19,380
19,400
Na (Sodium)
10,614
10,800
SO4 (Sulfate)
2,619
2,700
Mg (Magnesium)
1,353
1,290
Ca (Calcium)
445
411
K (Potassium)
389
392
HCO3 (Bicarbonate)
193
140
Sr (Strontium)
8.0

 

[Cory]

@Randy Holmes-Farley
Based on my tests, if my salinity was actually 34.5ppt or even 34ppt, would raising the salinity to 35ppt bump the potassium and calcium to 400ppm and magnesium to 1350ppm?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

@Randy Holmes-Farley
Based on my tests, if my salinity was actually 34.5ppt or even 34ppt, would raising the salinity to 35ppt bump the potassium and calcium to 400ppm and magnesium to 1350ppm?

A boost from 34 ppt to 35 ppt will boost everything by a factor of 35/34 = 1.0294.

So potassium at 390 becomes 390 x 1.0294 = 401.5 ppm.

 

[Cory]

A boost from 34 ppt to 35 ppt will boost everything by a factor of 35/34 = 1.0294.

So potassium at 390 becomes 390 x 1.0294 = 401.5 ppm.

Thanks . Kordon salt must be lacking then. What do you think?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, there are a slot of measurements here, any of which might be in error: the salinity, the individual ions, etc. But if everything is accurate, it looks a bit lower than their specs for several things, and even their specs seem a tad low for potassium.

 

[Cory]

Well, there are a slot of measurements here, any of which might be in error: the salinity, the individual ions, etc. But if everything is accurate, it looks a bit lower than their specs for several things, and even their specs seem a tad low for potassium.

Ah ok. Kordon says it adds Amquel into the salt. When i scoop some out and pour it into the water to mix it, the salt is very sticky and sticks to the walls of the cup. Do you think this effected the lower calcium? Or is a testing error? What are your thoughts on the potassium and calcium being low while the alkalinity is almost normal that they manufacture it to be.

 

[jason2459]

Up way to early this morning so had time to open up a different bag of RC. Just don't feel right yet doing this just once.

New bag
25C
35ppt
Alk 12.2
Cal. 530
Mg: 1530



Interesting how much higher this is compared to the 2009 results. I've also have seen a few recent (past 8 -12 months) of people reporting really high Mg levels from RC.

From 2009
Reef Crystals
490
13
1440


Acccording to IO RC mixed to 1.026 or 35ppt Calcium should be around 455 and Mg around 1345. Of course that's their marketing. I don't think I've seen anyone report Mg levels under 1400 for RC before.

I just dropped off the samples last night to be sent to Triton.