Could I have a bad batch of salt?

[Toxik]

I tried doing a search for some info on this topic with no luck with the salt I am using.

I've been having a hard time with my calcium levels being extremely high (860 mg/l) when testing my tank water. So I though I would try testing a freshly mixed batch of water before I put it into my tank. The results were 800 mg/l calcium and 9.0 dKH. I have a relatively new pail of Seachem Reef Salt and was wondering if anyone knows if they had a bad batch lately?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Are you using tap water?

Have you used the kit on other salt mixes and gotten lower values? What kit?

I've not heard of any bad batches of Seachem salt lately.

[Toxik]

Using RO water with a Hagen calcium test kit which is the same kit the lfs used. I'll be going in again today with another 2 samples of water, one of the tank water and one with a freshly mixed solution that hasn't been mixed with the tank water. This is the first I've used Seachem Reef Salt, I've normally used Instant Ocean Salt with no problems.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, let us know what you find.

Also, be sure the kit is reading in ppm calcium ion and not ppm calcium carbonate. 1000 ppm calcium carbonate = 400 ppm calcium ion.

[kass03]

I have the same kit and my calcium always measured high with it.(above 600)
I do use tap water and have hard water so thought it was from that or the test kit was'nt accurate.

I just read it and it says it measures mg/L (Ca2+).
It says the range should be 400-450 so I'm assuming it's measuring calcium ion.

I use IO salt normally but last time tried a bucket of coralife cuz LFS was out of IO.
I don't think it has anything to do with the salt though. It measured that when I used IO also and was'nt adding any calcium to my tank.

kass

[Toxik]

Should I be buying a different brand test kit to get a better Ca reading? The lfs sells Hagen (the one I bought), Salifert and Elos. I just recently bought an Elos phosphate kit and works really well.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I believe that IIRC, Coralife does run on the high calcium side. Salifert would be a better calcium test kit.

[shikhyung]

Hi Randy,
1-Does it necessary to use both RO and DI ?
2-If so, is it just a simple fact that add one more stage for the DI canister at the out put of RO unit?
Thanks. Shin.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, the DI goes after the RO. It may not always be necessary, but if you have chloramine in your tap water, it definitely is necessary to have a DI.

These articles have more:

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

Reverse Osmosis/Deionization Systems to Purify Tap Water for Reef Aquaria
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.htm

Chloramine and the Reef Aquarium
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rhf/feature/index.php

[shikhyung]

Thanks Randy.
Shin.

[Billybeau1]

Yes Coralife tests in the high 500's for Calcium. I dont put much faith in the Hagen kits. I would get the Salifert. :)

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks Randy.

You're welcome.

Good luck. :)

[Toxik]

Ok, just got back from the lfs with a salifert test kit and tested the tank water and got a Ca reading of 750 ppm. I mixed a bit of saltwater and tested it and got a Ca reading of 850 ppm. I've never had this problem before. It has to be a bad bucket of salt. I'll e-mail seachem and see what happens.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That sounds like a reasonable plan. Good luck.