Inland Reef Salt Study - Where we're going

[andrejka]

I'm glad that Oceanic will be included in the study. There is much hype going about it right now, and I like what I’ve heard so far. I hope that quality of their salt will match that of their aquariums.

 

[MattM]

We ordered the labware today. Testing to begin as soon as it arrives.

 

[Ninong]

We ordered the labware today. Testing to begin as soon as it arrives.

Great!

 

[npaden]

Well it's been a month and a half. Any updates?

Nathan

 

[Poor Richard]

yeah, what salt should I be using?

 

[Money Pit]

Well it's been over two months. Any updates?

 

[MattM]

Sorry, I haven't been monitoring the boards too much lately. Been busy shutting down Inland Reef and getting the new telescope store going. However, we have started work on the study. If you check the procedure at http://www.inlandreef.com/Testing/SaltPlan.html , you can see there are quite a few steps before getting a sample to the lab.

We are getting this done as time is available, and we won't send the first set to the lab until we've got a full set of wet samples ready to go.

- Matt Marulla

 

[wasabi]

just a thought :idea: .... would it not be in the interest of the hobbiests involved and the test itself to ask/allow responcible outside help living in the area to come step in and give a hand with this project. seems to me that it would be beneficial to all parties.

 

[wasabi]

1a

 

[vapor1]

Any word yet on the status of the testing ?

 

[Ninong]

We ordered the labware today. Testing to begin as soon as it arrives.

That was posted in February! Is this still going to happen or has the project been abandoned?

 

[Bone]

Can it still happen?

 

[middletonmark]

I have learned patience in this hobby ... but this salt study is worse than curing rock, waiting for coralline to grow, and RO/DI drip out ... combined.

Is anything really happening?

Could the project be given human assistance to move it along? Passed along to someone who will get it done, give it the push needed?

 

[mark78]

We ordered the labware today.[/quote
Wouldn't it be cheaper just to send the water out to a lab?

 

[MattM]

We ordered the labware today.[/quote
Wouldn't it be cheaper just to send the water out to a lab?

We are sending all samples to a lab. The labware in reference is for measuring, mixing, and storage of samples.

 

[MattM]

I recently exchanged emails with Len about the status of the salt study and he has asked me to post here.

However, there is only a limited amout of information I can give out at this time.

In short, the study is on hold because I have been threatened with a lawsuit from one of the companies whose products we have previously tested. They are claiming defamation and tortious interference. These claims are wholly without merit - their intention is to supress any unfavorable test results through intimidation and causing us to incur defense costs.

It would not be prudent for us to continue with the publication of more test data until this issue has been resolved.

 

[melev]

So if we hire an outside lab to test the salt we are using to make sure it is what they say it is, we are risking a lawsuit? That is rediculous.

I know I contributed toward this study at least a year ago. Surely there are lawyers that are also saltwater hobbyists that could 'donate' some of their legal experience to allow this to progress.

 

[MattM]

That is rediculous.

Yes, it is ridiculous. Welcome to the US legal system where anyone can sue anyone for any reason. And in 39 of the 50 states there is no penalty of any kind for bringing a meritless suit meant only to intimidate a victim who can't afford to pay for a defense.

And yes, the plantiff's state is one of those 39...

 

[Ninong]

In short, the study is on hold because I have been threatened with a lawsuit from one of the companies whose products we have previously tested. They are claiming defamation and tortious interference. These claims are wholly without merit - their intention is to supress any unfavorable test results through intimidation and causing us to incur defense costs.

It would not be prudent for us to continue with the publication of more test data until this issue has been resolved.

Obviously this company that is now threatening you is not in the business of manufacturing artificial salt mixes, so how does that relate to the publication of an independent laboratory's ICPMS analysis of various salt mixes? Dr. Craig Bingman published his salt mix study in 1999 and I am not aware of any legal repercussions.

As long as you confine your reporting to the actual test results and do not offer your own conclusions or recommendations, I believe you will be OK but I'm not a lawyer and don't even play one on T.V.

Defamation: http://library.lp.findlaw.com/articles/ ... tlaw_1_213

P.S. -- It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the plaintiff is in this case.

 

[Anemone]

Great intentions have given way to inertia.

Perhaps it's time to offer refunds to those who contributed and admit this study simply isn't going to happen?

Kevin