Warning! Potential Problem with Kent Salt.

Ruth · #1 02-16-2006, 08:21 AM

I use the new Seachem reef salt in my 190g that I am using the zeovit method on and Tropic Marin pro on all my other tanks. I have tested newly mixed batches of both salts and posted the results on other links. So far very happy with both.

Willow · #2 02-16-2006, 08:33 AM

do you mind me asking where i can ever buy the seachem reef salt? it looks pretty good.

Ruth · #3 02-16-2006, 08:44 AM

Let's see I bought 3 boxes from AI in Edmonton as I was desparate for salt - that is one store I try my best not to support. I got my buckets from BlkHawk (Joshua). I know that Island Aquatics in Duncan was talking about carrying it but not sure if they have gotten it in yet. FWIW I am also very happy with the Tropic Marin pro salt and that I have been getting from reef perfections out of Ontario because he just has his sister bring it out to Abbotsford. He charged me $50 to ship 8 buckets at Christmas and I have just ordered another 8 buckets which I will pick up at Easter.

Beverly · #4 02-16-2006, 01:57 PM

Whew!!!!!

Just mixed up 2g of RO/DI water (heated and aerated since Sunday, Feb 12) with the Kent salt from one pail from our recent Edmonton group order. All of our pails have a yellow Kent logo. Salt in pails is in a sealed bag, which I have never seen before with any salt I've used (IO and Kent) since I started reefkeeping back in the mid-90s.

Results:

dKH - 8.5 (using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kit)
Temp - 79 F (using Hagen stick on tank temp gauge)
SG - 1.026 (using refractometer)
pH - 8.26 (using a Pinpoint pH probe and Hanna Instrument pH controller digital readout)

Am not going to worry about the rest of the five pails, though I am certainly going to wait awhile before ordering more salt, just in case.

BMW Rider · #5 02-16-2006, 02:31 PM

Dang, I just ordered two pails of Kent salt. I will see when they get here what batch they are by testing the mix. I hope they are ok, if not I'll be contacting Kent for a suppliment or replacement pails. Thanks for the heads up on this issue.

Psyire · #6 02-16-2006, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the test results Bev.

Do you have anyway of testing Calcium & Magnesium? I'm curious to see what they are at. If not, that's fine. It'll be a few days but I'll be able to test these eventually.

Beverly · #7 02-16-2006, 08:33 PM

Did the tests shortly after getting out of bed this morning and didn't have time to test Mg or Ca.

adidas · #8 02-16-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beverly

Salt in pails is in a sealed bag, which I have never seen before with any salt I've used (IO and Kent) since I started reefkeeping back in the mid-90s.

I have Coralife salt bucket and the salt is in 3 sealed bags.

Ruth · #9 02-16-2006, 10:40 PM

Tropic Marin is in one big bag inside the bucket as well. I haven't opened any of the Seachem buckets yet as I am using the boxes up first and they each contain 3 50g bags.

Beverly · #10 02-16-2006, 10:58 PM

Matt,

I don't know what "interpolating" means

What I did was add one drop at a time, then mix as per directions. At drop #8, the colour changed from blue to green. From experience, I know that the next drop will turn it yellow. So I am guesstimating that the real dKH is 8.5 from the intermediate green colour.

Maybe that's "interpolating"?

Ruth,

I have no idea what is precipitating out of the saltwater mix after 36 hours. I don't test my NSW, and am not really that curious to know what precipitates out. I just know to use it within 24 hours after salting it. Sorry I can't be of more help here.