Inland Reef Salt Study - Where we're going
- Thread starter MattM
- Start date
So... first time poster here... but long time lurker.
I did not donate to this cause because it was "under way" when I initially found it. I think I've been loosely following this for a year or so.
At this point, I can't say that I'd have enough faith in the results to change my salt purchasing habits, but I'm always very interested in reading opinions and test results on subjects such as this.
This may be a loaded question, but since I didn't see the article in Sept or Oct AAOLM, is it expected to be in Nov or Dec issues? I'm seriously interested in reading it.
Thanks,
Greg
I did not donate to this cause because it was "under way" when I initially found it. I think I've been loosely following this for a year or so.
At this point, I can't say that I'd have enough faith in the results to change my salt purchasing habits, but I'm always very interested in reading opinions and test results on subjects such as this.
This may be a loaded question, but since I didn't see the article in Sept or Oct AAOLM, is it expected to be in Nov or Dec issues? I'm seriously interested in reading it.
Thanks,
Greg
That's a good question chrispy. Ninong started a thread with this exact question as the subject: http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=77568
It seems there is an infinite number of results you can get from testing any salt. So far, I've seen reports from Dr. Ron, Inland, Tim Havonec, and Aquacraft (don't laugh
) and there's no concensus.
It seems there is an infinite number of results you can get from testing any salt. So far, I've seen reports from Dr. Ron, Inland, Tim Havonec, and Aquacraft (don't laugh
) and there's no concensus.ChrisPrusha":35z7fpxs said:
A little preview of part two...
The biggest single difference is formula changes in Instant Ocean. Dr. Shimek used data from 1999, it was a totally different salt when he did his study in 2003.
Also, keep in mind the levels we are talking about here. The difference between 4ppb and 8ppb might be 100%, but a 4ppb difference in a test with a 0.5ppb detection limit is not statistically significant.
- Matt Marulla
seems like there will be no difinitive anwser for us here... we will just have to find what works for us and keep going....
what surprises me is why any of the big companies with massive resources didn't step up and assist with analysis..... (amgen, scripps institute,....) how come none of the large aquariums stepped up either... $15,000.000 to run a sample thru a mass spec.... sounds like inflation to me..
i am stoked to see that I/O isn't the worst brand on the market... so far... i would venture to quess that Dr. Ron may have been put up to the product slam....
that is just the vibe i get...
what surprises me is why any of the big companies with massive resources didn't step up and assist with analysis..... (amgen, scripps institute,....) how come none of the large aquariums stepped up either... $15,000.000 to run a sample thru a mass spec.... sounds like inflation to me..
i am stoked to see that I/O isn't the worst brand on the market... so far... i would venture to quess that Dr. Ron may have been put up to the product slam....
that is just the vibe i get...
What's got me a bit suprised and perplexed is how much people pounded the podium for the results to get published and now that they're published, there's minimal discussion going on about it. I've only seen a handful of posts talking about it unless I've missed a thread someplace...
:shrug:
Shane
:shrug:
Shane
I agree, Shane.
However, it is really difficult to interpret the results and how they should impact us hobbyists.
The results clearly show that all of our synthetic mixes differ from natural sea water in one way or another. I think that most of us are waiting for the science professionals (chemists, biologists, etc.) to help us make heads or tails out of the data.
Here are a few things that really pop out at me:
1) None of the 50 gallon mixes made 50 gallons of synthetic salt water at 35 ppt. Lesson: Be certain to check SG values of tank and change out water routinely to see whether the difference is significant.
2) Differences in pH values. Some of those mixes differed a fair amount from what would be considered typical reef tank pH values. I have to wonder whether some of pH differences could cause significant irritation to the animals in our tanks? Lesson: don't dump new water directly on animals in tank.
3) Differences in analytical values of individual salt mixes over time seem to vary. Perhaps these variances are due to: differences between analytical methods used for the different studies; differences in laboratory procedure (mixing, holding, aerating, etc.); variance between individual batches of the salt mixes; intentional changes in mixture formulation; changes in raw material trace inclusions; and etcetera. We just don't know enough to ascertain what all is going on.
These three items alone make me think that I should be slowly adding new water to my system. They also make me think that I should purchase salt in the largest possible container size so as to minimize possible variance between batches.
Now, how to evaluate the element composition data? Beats me. Looks like there might be pro's and con's of each mix.
-Lee
However, it is really difficult to interpret the results and how they should impact us hobbyists.
The results clearly show that all of our synthetic mixes differ from natural sea water in one way or another. I think that most of us are waiting for the science professionals (chemists, biologists, etc.) to help us make heads or tails out of the data.
Here are a few things that really pop out at me:
1) None of the 50 gallon mixes made 50 gallons of synthetic salt water at 35 ppt. Lesson: Be certain to check SG values of tank and change out water routinely to see whether the difference is significant.
2) Differences in pH values. Some of those mixes differed a fair amount from what would be considered typical reef tank pH values. I have to wonder whether some of pH differences could cause significant irritation to the animals in our tanks? Lesson: don't dump new water directly on animals in tank.
3) Differences in analytical values of individual salt mixes over time seem to vary. Perhaps these variances are due to: differences between analytical methods used for the different studies; differences in laboratory procedure (mixing, holding, aerating, etc.); variance between individual batches of the salt mixes; intentional changes in mixture formulation; changes in raw material trace inclusions; and etcetera. We just don't know enough to ascertain what all is going on.
These three items alone make me think that I should be slowly adding new water to my system. They also make me think that I should purchase salt in the largest possible container size so as to minimize possible variance between batches.
Now, how to evaluate the element composition data? Beats me. Looks like there might be pro's and con's of each mix.
-Lee
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