The Ultimate Salt Test

[fandaga]

i just wanted to say how awesome it was that @rtparty did all this work and paid for it all! What a resource for everyone!!

 

[Nonya]

It was a real surprise to see the final salinity ranged between 31.49 to 35.06 when using the same amount of salt mix. I'd like to see a comparison in which every mix is compared after they're mixed to the same salinity, which is how I mix water for water changes. No doubt that would result in a completely different set of results.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It was a real surprise to see the final salinity ranged between 31.49 to 35.06 when using the same amount of salt mix. I'd like to see a comparison in which every mix is compared after they're mixed to the same salinity, which is how I mix water for water changes. No doubt that would result in a completely different set of results.

All of the values can just be scaled (multiplied) by a factor of 35 ppt/measured salinity to get them on equal footing.

 

[rtparty]

It was a real surprise to see the final salinity ranged between 31.49 to 35.06 when using the same amount of salt mix. I'd like to see a comparison in which every mix is compared after they're mixed to the same salinity, which is how I mix water for water changes. No doubt that would result in a completely different set of results.

The same amount of salt was NOT used for each batch. The same amount of water was and then I followed the directions the manufacturers set forth. Some were close to 35ppt and others were not. I used 3 different salinity devices (calibrated refractometer, Milwaukee digital, and the TM glass hydrometer) to test every batch and get as close to 35ppt as I could.

I do not trust ATI’s salinity. I’ve seen way too many incidents of it not matching what others claim and watched them misreport the salinity numerous times in my own testing. I actually sent them two samples labeled as different systems but they were the same tank taken at the same time. The values came back different and further confirmed my suspicions about their salinity tests.

But taricha did set them all equal to 35ppt and provided that graph earlier in the thread. I don’t trust those numbers because again, I don’t trust ATI’s values for that.

 

[fandaga]

The same amount of salt was NOT used for each batch. The same amount of water was and then I followed the directions the manufacturers set forth. Some were close to 35ppt and others were not. I used 3 different salinity devices (calibrated refractometer, Milwaukee digital, and the TM glass hydrometer) to test every batch and get as close to 35ppt as I could.

I do not trust ATI’s salinity. I’ve seen way too many incidents of it not matching what others claim and watched them misreport the salinity numerous times in my own testing. I actually sent them two samples labeled as different systems but they were the same tank taken at the same time. The values came back different and further confirmed my suspicions about their salinity tests.

But taricha did set them all equal to 35ppt and provided that graph earlier in the thread. I don’t trust those numbers because again, I don’t trust ATI’s values for that.

Ah makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Nonya]

So the actual salinity when mixed was ~35? Thanks for clarifying. In the OP you mentioned "WEIGHT" in all caps, so that's what made me think that.

 

[AKReefing]

The same amount of salt was NOT used for each batch. The same amount of water was and then I followed the directions the manufacturers set forth.

I always go by my own salinity measurement no earlier than the next day. I don't think I've ever used the manufacturer's recommendation.

 

[AKReefing]

I do not trust ATI’s salinity.

Do you trust the other param measurements?

 

[rtparty]

Do you trust the other param measurements?

Alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium (when my kits worked) were all pretty close to what I tested.

Their salinity was off the vast majority of the time from mine

I had two different Salifert Magnesium kits just randomly stop reading correctly. Neither were even close to expiration either. They were super spot on and then would always read magnesium over 1500. ATI would come back at like 1300.

 

[AKReefing]

Alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium (when my kits worked) were all pretty close to what I tested.

Their salinity was off the vast majority of the time from mine

I had two different Salifert Magnesium kits just randomly stop reading correctly. Neither were even close to expiration either. They were super spot on and then would always read magnesium over 1500. ATI would come back at like 1300.

Gotta wonder if something in the Salifert test solutions somehow changed.

 

[AlexandraDreadlocksPanda]

I’m a massive fan of Fauna Marin salt - I’ve tested about 10 buckets of it for DKH when mixed to 35ppt (both with Hanna testers). It’s come out at 8.5DKH precisely every time. I’m going to assume they’re as precise with their other levels too… Mixes up quick as a flash with zero residue… will keep mixed up for a couple of months without losing DKH…