Seachem Salt mixing high in calcium

[returnofsid]

Hiya Boomer!

I'm helping a fellow RF member and friend figure out an issue with their high calcium. Today, he mixed up a fresh batch of saltwater, using Seachem salt mix, and tested the Calcium. We actually tested it twice. The new saltwater is testing at about 520 calcium. Any idea what would be causing this? Oh, we've actually tested it with 2 different Salifert CA test kits. Getting the same results with both.

 

[returnofsid]

Oh, I should have mentioned, this is Seachem Reef Salt, not the marine salt.

 

[NC2WA]

Michael,

Just curious do you know the Ca level of the Marine Salt?? (ie, do you get a different reading than 520?)

 

[Bricky]

I had the same issue with the Seachem Reef salt. That's why I don't use it anymore as it was frying my corals.

 

[ac7av]

Does the manufacture say on the package what you should be with a new batch? Just wondering. The new Kent marine comes in at
salinity 1.021-1.023
ph 8.2-8.3
Calcium 425-450
Magnesium 1150-1250

or if you use higher salinity
salinity 1.024-1.026
ph 8.2-8.3
Calcium 550 to 575
magnesium 1350-1450

My actual test at salinity 1.026 were close to the claim on the bucket.

 

[returnofsid]

Seachem's website says it should have a calcium level of 442. However, their website doesn't say what SG level that is at. Their website does say that depending on SG, the calcium level should be between 380-430, which is strange, considering right below that is a chart, that lists the levels of all of the trace elements, listing calcium at 442.

Our test results of 520 were at 1.025

 

[slim_jim989]

I've tested a couple buckets of seachem reef salt and at SG of 1.026 it usually came out with my calcium at 500-520 and my alk is 9-11 sometimes. thats with it at the right temp or not. So I might be switching brands but I can't beat 36 bucks a bucket.

 

[Boomer]

Sid

SeaChem reef salt or their std salt is veeeeeery high in Ca++ as in 500 -550 ppm Their new Aquavitro Salinity is the way to go.

 

[returnofsid]

Boomer, thanks for your help, along with everyone else! I think he's going to be switching salts! I sure wish Seachem's website would give more accurate information...lol.

 

[slim_jim989]

Ya me too I'll be switching salts after this bucket which is almost done, I knew there had to be something at 36 bucks a bucket.