Saltmix Parameters bring on the test results

[jason2459]

Getting ready to get this started. A new salt mix is on it's way along with some new test kits

 

[Ezeke1]

Thank you compiling this list of saltmixes. I was considering switching over to AF reef salt because I like the consistency of the alkalinity and calcium range but should I be concerned there it has more unwanted metals than other salts?

 

[jason2459]

Thank you compiling this list of saltmixes. I was considering switching over to AF reef salt because I like the consistency of the alkalinity and calcium range but should I be concerned there it has more unwanted metals than other salts?

I would not be concerned about that if it's even accurate. If you feed your fish or dose anything you're also adding many unwanted metals. It's a trace amount and in trace amounts life needs things like copper even though in larger amounts will kill it.

 

[jason2459]

Getting ready to get this started. A new salt mix is on it's way along with some new test kits

FYI, stars are aligning.

 

[GoVols]

@jason2459
Just read through your entire thread. Thanks for your data!
If you don't mind...
At this time are you still using regular IO?

Would love to see the Fritz RPM results down the line as well.

Regards, GoVols

 

[jason2459]

@jason2459
Just read through your entire thread. Thanks for your data!
If you don't mind...
At this time are you still using regular IO?

Would love to see the Fritz RPM results down the line as well.

Regards, GoVols

Yes, regular IO is what I normally use. But recently in gearing up for a big shootout and being able to get a side experiment out of it because of just being curious I have been using another salt the past couple months. I have not noticed anything overall immediately different. After this I will go back to basic IO. I see and have no reason not to.

Request has been noted. [emoji6]

 

[GoVols]

Yes, regular IO is what I normally use. But recently in gearing up for a big shootout and being able to get a side experiment out of it because of just being curious I have been using another salt the past couple months. I have not noticed anything overall immediately different. After this I will go back to basic IO. I see and have no reason not to.

Request has been noted. [emoji6]

I used a box of the RPM and I have no complaints and it was spot on to Fritz's big 3 specs. to my test kits and my testing capabilities.

But... I've used IO for the most part of 2 decades and just can't beat the price, so went back to IO and I see no difference to the RPM and doubt I will but I've only done three water changes with IO at this time.

Thanks for starting this thread and I can't imagine the time and effort you've put in this project but it's nice to see this thing evolve and done so in an unbiased manner.

Regards, GoVols

 

[jason2459]

Sorry for the delay, I've been out of town for a few weeks the past month (tank automation is awesome!) and playing a ton of catchup with life. I have things coming in to get something very cool done and spanning multiple threads that I've started. So sorry, will be some cross posting going on at some point.

 

[David Cher]

any test on D D h2o salt ?

 

[petemichelle]

There was an excellent thread put together quite some time ago now by Billybeau1 and hilgert. I've referred to it may times to see if someone is close to the expected values of a particular saltmix. There can of course be slight variations and if any settling has occurred in the mix before use can cause results to be even farther from the normal numbers.

There's threads all the time with people testing their new salt mix but seems like its always when there's possibly a problem with it.

I'd like this to be a thread of new batches of salt mix tested when there aren't any problems. Get a good array of tests done on different brands. Then compare each one against the original synthetic saltmix parameters thread and compile a set of averages for a particular brand and compare.

Just basics like temp, salinity, alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Or at subset of those three but I think temp and salinity level should be published with all the posts. Giving what was used for the testing would be nice too.

Something simple like
Brand:
Temp:
Salinity:

Alkalinity:
Calcium:
Magnesium:

Another good point brought up was



Along with bringing temp up to around 77F or 25C just before testing.


This will not be perfect and useful only as a rough idea of what to expect from a particular brand of salt mix.



My tests done recently from my New Salt mix brute.

Brand: Instant Ocean (IO) nothing added
Temp: 77.2 (Hanna handheld meter)
Salinity: 53mS pinpoint probe and 35ppt veegee refractometer

Alk:10.4dkh Salifert
Ca: 410 ppm Salifert
Mg: 1320ppm Salifert


Edited for

Latest compilation of results of the big 3:

Triton only results

Correction on AquaVitro Salinity

BEST thread yet on salt parameters and brands

 

[jason2459]

Thanks

 

[jason2459]

Awesome! I have everything I need now. Last components came in today! Thank you @Aquaforest for the sample vials. I'll have results in the next couple weeks. Going to be very busy the next few nights.

 

[jason2459]

Almost done. Very late night last night too. I forgot how tedious this is but I should be able to get everything sent out, well, I guess today.

 

[Reefahholic]

Randy..

May I ask you which salt brands you've had good success with. Would ask which salt you are using now, but if that's confidential I understand.

Right now I'm running IO and IORC. I was gonna switch over to Fritz, but have been hearing mixed reviews. I did mix up one batch that I got from a friend and WOW. It mixed super clear and clean. I was amazed. It seemed like really good quality salt, but according to others the ALK drops when stored more than a week and the batches are very inconsistent. Any thoughts?

I'm looking for batch consistency and a brand that is as close to natural seawater as I can get.

My gigantea's prefer the parameters that are close to natural seawater.

Thanks for any opinions brother!

 

[Cory]

Randy..

May I ask you which salt brands you've had good success with. Would ask which salt you are using now, but if that's confidential I understand.

Right now I'm running IO and IORC. I was gonna switch over to Fritz, but have been hearing mixed reviews. I did mix up one batch that I got from a friend and WOW. It mixed super clear and clean. I was amazed. It seemed like really good quality salt, but according to others the ALK drops when stored more than a week and the batches are very inconsistent. Any thoughts?

I'm looking for batch consistency and a brand that is as close to natural seawater as I can get.

My gigantea's prefer the parameters that are close to natural seawater.

Thanks for any opinions brother!

Im pretty sure he used instant ocean.

 

[CryX]

Do you have the results of testing the elemental composition of the Fauna Marin Professional Sea Salt and Korallen Zuht Reefer's Best salt? Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Randy..

May I ask you which salt brands you've had good success with. Would ask which salt you are using now, but if that's confidential I understand.

Right now I'm running IO and IORC. I was gonna switch over to Fritz, but have been hearing mixed reviews. I did mix up one batch that I got from a friend and WOW. It mixed super clear and clean. I was amazed. It seemed like really good quality salt, but according to others the ALK drops when stored more than a week and the batches are very inconsistent. Any thoughts?

I'm looking for batch consistency and a brand that is as close to natural seawater as I can get.

My gigantea's prefer the parameters that are close to natural seawater.

Thanks for any opinions brother!

Yes, I used IO for 20 years until I took the tank down. I was never convinced anything else would be a substantial improvement.

 

[Reefahholic]

Thx brother! Any future plans for a new tank? Why did you get out?

Yes, I used IO for 20 years until I took the tank down. I was never convinced anything else would be a substantial improvement.

 

[Alfrareef]

I use AF probiotic and happy with it.

 

[bif24701]

Yes, I used IO for 20 years until I took the tank down. I was never convinced anything else would be a substantial improvement.

This is me. I use IO and have tried AF, Seachem Reef, Fritz RPM, IORC, Salinity, Red Sea Blue & Black buckets, HW-Marine Reefer and others I can't think of. All these other brands except RPM and HW caused some kind of change in my system. To me change isn't good and I like IO because it just works Plus for the cost I can do +30% water changes every 1-2 weeks ensuring too notch water quality.

IO for the win!