Check your Reef Crystals Salt!
- Thread starter Mr. Ugly
- Start date
Ibn
Guest
Looks like Kevin got the results back to you. Got mine a few days ago also, which differs from what Bob found.
Sample #403
Salinity- 53mS
Alk- 13.1
Calcium Instant Ocean- 375
Magnesium- 1335
pH- 8.55
Temp- 74.0
These are the results that I got from the same bucket from two different tests in regards to Ca and Mg...
Aquarium Systems Liveaquaria
Ca: 438 mg/l Ca: 375 mg/l
Mg: 1240 mg/l Mg: 1335 mg/l
Sample #403
Salinity- 53mS
Alk- 13.1
Calcium Instant Ocean- 375
Magnesium- 1335
pH- 8.55
Temp- 74.0
These are the results that I got from the same bucket from two different tests in regards to Ca and Mg...
Aquarium Systems Liveaquaria
Ca: 438 mg/l Ca: 375 mg/l
Mg: 1240 mg/l Mg: 1335 mg/l
G
GreshamH
Guest
OK I know who Bob is, but what Kevin are you spekaing of?
G
GreshamH
Guest
Odd, wonder why Kevin is testing. He only deals with live stuff. Eric is in charge of the Dry goods.
G
GreshamH
Guest
huh, wonder why such a difference? What testing method is ASI using?
G
GreshamH
Guest
That's closer to what I got in one of my buckets. I had slightly higher numbers but the resolution of Elos got me 375ca and 1100mg. I still haven't heard back from Bob with his numbers on my 6 buckets. I guess I should send them off to Kevin as well.
G
GreshamH
Guest
It doesn't help the highest numbers are from the manufacturer of the salt either 
Ibn
Guest
Yup. Here's the reply from Kevin in regards to the differences.
Thank you for your email. Variations in the results obtained from testing seawater can be attributed to a multitude of circumstances. The first is the accuracy of each test kit. I am not privy to the types of testing equipment ASI is using, but would guarantee that these testing devices are far superior to what you and I use on a regular basis. Hobbyist’s grade test kits have a pretty large margin of error between brands, and even between two different kits of the same brand. We utilized a standard Salifert kit for your Magnesium Test and Instant Ocean titration kit for Calcium on your water sample.
The second factor that can affect test results is the exact specific gravity of the water. We calibrate a Conductivity meter prior to testing using a 53mS solution made by American Marine. The Calcium and Magnesium level of seawater varies considerably between 1.022-1.026. At a lower specific gravity, calcium and magnesium readings are substantially lower than at a higher specific gravity. Depending on the differences in the accuracy our meter vs. the exact specific gravity and accuracy of the meter used at ASI could also explain minor variations which would yield different results. To complicate matters further, using the same brand of test kit, one can test the calcium level of your aquarium six different times, and obtain six different readings. Normal protocol is to take multiple samples and test, adding the results together and dividing by the number of test performed to find a much more precise result.
Thank you for your email. Variations in the results obtained from testing seawater can be attributed to a multitude of circumstances. The first is the accuracy of each test kit. I am not privy to the types of testing equipment ASI is using, but would guarantee that these testing devices are far superior to what you and I use on a regular basis. Hobbyist’s grade test kits have a pretty large margin of error between brands, and even between two different kits of the same brand. We utilized a standard Salifert kit for your Magnesium Test and Instant Ocean titration kit for Calcium on your water sample.
The second factor that can affect test results is the exact specific gravity of the water. We calibrate a Conductivity meter prior to testing using a 53mS solution made by American Marine. The Calcium and Magnesium level of seawater varies considerably between 1.022-1.026. At a lower specific gravity, calcium and magnesium readings are substantially lower than at a higher specific gravity. Depending on the differences in the accuracy our meter vs. the exact specific gravity and accuracy of the meter used at ASI could also explain minor variations which would yield different results. To complicate matters further, using the same brand of test kit, one can test the calcium level of your aquarium six different times, and obtain six different readings. Normal protocol is to take multiple samples and test, adding the results together and dividing by the number of test performed to find a much more precise result.
Mr. Ugly
Past President
Heh, not surprised by the reply. Very generic, "It could be this... it could be that...." Just like if you'd call tech support and they ask, "Is it plugged in?"
I pretty much gave up on them both a while back based on the noncommittal replies I'd seen.
I was just waiting for both sets of test results to come back. I was expecting they'd have different numbers as well.
I'll just make my own test standards and go by my own tests. I got good repeatability when I tested my buckets.
Like I said, I kicked ass in quantitative analysis. I could always get 3 runs to agree within two tenths of a percent without a whole lot of effort.
I pretty much gave up on them both a while back based on the noncommittal replies I'd seen.
I was just waiting for both sets of test results to come back. I was expecting they'd have different numbers as well.
I'll just make my own test standards and go by my own tests. I got good repeatability when I tested my buckets.
Like I said, I kicked ass in quantitative analysis. I could always get 3 runs to agree within two tenths of a percent without a whole lot of effort.
MontanaBay
Guest
Has anyone tested batches of IO lately? I'm curious what its numbers are testing at?
Many Thanks!
Josh
Many Thanks!
Josh
