GKarshens Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I have been slowly doing my own testing on different salts. For me the biggest concern is KH and CA. I would like to test Mag. too but I don't have that kit. First I tested Tropic Marin. It tested at Kh of 11 and Ca of 275. Not good. I just got done testing Oceanpure Pro. It was Kh of 4 and Ca of 375. Better but still not great. I would like to test TM pro and Red Sea next. If anyone has some that they would be willing to let me try and mix up a couple gallons I would appreciate it. I am using Elos test kits by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmanning Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 We've tested magnesium on TM it came out to 875, not what I was hoping for and CA was also low. I'll be mixing a batch of Seachem Reef Salt tonight, I can post the Mg, CA and KH results tomorrow. We've been using Seachem Magnesium Test Kit and also for CA. Very dissapointing to know this salts don't come close to what an actual reef needs. Let me just say that by adding Epsom Salt has surely help with the growth of SPS in addition to CA reactor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bmwaaron Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I have heard that Red Sea Pro has the best CA, MG and Alk but havent tested it myself. Im going to pick up some in the next couple days and will post my findings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEW Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Let me just say that by adding Epsom Salt has surely help with the growth of SPS Could you elaborate on the use of epsom salt? I am guess because it is MgCl2? How much do you add? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 The epson salt adds Magnesium. Most salts are well below the 1200-1500ppm that is needed for a proper balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmanning Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Could you elaborate on the use of epsom salt? I am guess because it is MgCl2? How much do you add? Hello LEW....where you the guy w/small beaker at the last frag swap? Anyways, here something that we read about increasing magnesium. http://ozreef.org/diy_plans/additives/magnesium.html http://www.reefland.com/rho/2006/05/sea_salt_study.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Nice articles. Thanks I just had an idea. We could start a site like sanjay only with sea salts and supplements. I think it would be helpful for everyone. We could collect salt water samples from local reefers and then we could make a chart with the values. Anyone willing to help? What parameters should we test? I was thinking Alk, Calcium, PH, Mag, Phosphates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted October 18, 2007 Author Share Posted October 18, 2007 That's a great idea. I would think we would need to use the same test kits on every test and maybe use 2 different ones on each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I was thinking the same thing. What sucks is the test kits are kind of pricey. I know Elos seems to be the brand of choice these days. I don't know how much they are, but I do know the TM Mag/CAL kit is $50! I will price the kits today. I have got some TM(regular) and IO salt I can test. I also assume we will need to make sure the samples are mixed for the same amount of time and at usable temp(79 degrees). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmanning Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 That's a great idea...I just did a water change and I still have 15g. left. I can run some test if you'll don't mind. The salt we've been using lately for the past month is Seachem Reefsalt. The test kits brand (Seachem for Mg./Ca). Noodle aka Yun, she was trying to attempt on running some test, but no luck since she's been working long hours. -Cindy- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Did anyone test the regular Red Sea? I switched to Red Sea from Oceanic and could run some test this weekend during my water change if anyone is interested. I dont have a reef tank but can still test calcium, KH, and phosphate is you would like. I could also donate some salt if someone with a more precise test kit would like to gather the results. I am using API for my kits. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted October 19, 2007 Author Share Posted October 19, 2007 That would be awesome. The more tests run the better. I would like a cup of your salt to test with my Elos kits just to make sure they are tested on the same kits I tested the other salts on. I see you are in Cedar Park. I could meet you at River City if that would work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 I will be there this afternoon to do a little shopping. What time are you available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted October 19, 2007 Author Share Posted October 19, 2007 I am available from now until about 2pm. I have to go to San Marcos later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Ah. I wont be leaving work till like 3:00 so maybe we can meet up another time. Say Monday? I work off 183/Mopac and could bring some salt to work on Monday. I see that you are fairly close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted October 19, 2007 Author Share Posted October 19, 2007 Yeah that would probably work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Let me know what your day looks like on Monday. I will have a few cups of Red Sea with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4R00P3R Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 I happen to also have Red Sea and I'm going to San Marcos this afternoon. I'm not sure if you're still there or if you would like me to drop off the sample at a LFS or your residence. Or you could wait until monday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted October 20, 2007 Author Share Posted October 20, 2007 Thanks but i am back in Austin now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barderer Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 Can I suggest testing a mix of instant ocean to use as a baseline for comparison? Also, the same water source should be used in all the tests if they are going to be very few tests. If we collect many tests of the same mix than results from multiple water sources could be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted October 21, 2007 Author Share Posted October 21, 2007 I agree about the same water source. That is why I was hoping for samples of salt from people. I have an RO/DI with a TDS of 0. I would happily test IO as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 I have a tupperware bowl of Red Sea for you. Let me know if have time tomorrow and we can meet up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bmwaaron Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Check out this thread on RC http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...mp;pagenumber=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 I finally got around to testing jsr's Red Sea salt. KH - 7, Ca - 300. I would really like to test the Red Sea Coral Pro next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bmwaaron Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I will be picking some of the Red Sea Pro salt up this week if Rivercity has it. Are you just testing CA and DKh? I would also like to see Mg levels of all these salts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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