Low calcium level in H2Ocean Salt?????

Question:

A friend of mine won one of you're small buckets of salt at a frag swap and gave it to me to try out. I loved the idea of a salt buffered to have the Ca and Mg as high as the label said, but was disappointed when I broke my test kits out.

I trust the test kits I was using, but now I find myself doubting you're product and unwilling to spend the money to give it a try again. Did you have any bad batches when you first started making the product?

Just curious, I hate to give up on your product with out trying to attempt to contact you about it. Though if you are like most companies I would be surprised if you responded.

Thanks for your time,

Jon

Answer:

Jonathon

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

We have never had an issue with low calcium however we have had a number of reports like your own but when we test the retained samples the levels are always correct within the given range.

I suspect in these cases it is either the accuracy of the test kit or more likely the salinity that you are mixing the salt to. Many people use refractometers these days but do not allow for the fact that the refractometer measures at 20C (68F) and not 25C (77F).

You must calibrate the refractometer with the equipment and not the water at 20C and then you can measure at other room/equipment temperatures.

Once calibrated use the salinity scale on the refractometer and mix to 35.5ppt which is the equivalent of 1.025 at 25C (77F)

Have a look at this FAQ from our website

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/node/494

and this thread on ultimate reef forum

http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=272799&highlight=h2ocean&page=3

By the way we recommend the tropic marine combined calcium/magnesium test kit as being the most accurate for both readings

Let me know if you do not sort this as we are extremely confident of out consistency and levels.

Regards

Stuart