Salt, Salt, Salt
- Thread starter DOGMAI
- Start date
taikonaut":1iyh3x1z said:
Im sorry, next time you answer a post answer the question asked. I cant stand when I ask a question and somebody dwells on how they think I went wrong or what I am doing wrong, and not on the question I asked. I will prove it. Look for my next post.
Thanks,
Shane
Red Sea Salt is claimed to be produced by evaoprating sea water. They are the only salt made this way. Unfortunately, there is a reason that other manufacturers go to the trouble and expense of mixing their ingredients dry...
If you evaporate the water from sea water and then add the water back, you will not get the same sea water you started with.
Here is the reason: All of the elements in sea water exist as ions. Either as single elements (like sodium Na+ or cloride Cl-) or as polyatomic ions (like hydroxide OH- or phosphate PO4(3-) ). When you start evaporating the water these ions concentrate and begin to form molecules. The theory is that by adding water back to the mix, the molecules will dissolve back into the proper ions. The problem is that as the water evaporates, there is no control over how the ions combine. For instance, you'd like the carbonate to combine with magnesium because this compond is easily broken down making the carbonate buffer readily available. However, there is nothing to stop the carbonate from combining with calcium as the water evaporates; and calcium carbonate is not soluable at normal aquarium pH levels. In other words, the calcium and carbonate that started out in the sea water end up as sand when you mix up your salt.
Like I said, no other manufacturer makes salt this way, and there is a reason.
Also, 1) We have found Red Sea's test kits to be some of the most inaccurate on the market. 2) We complained directly to the CEO of Red Sea that the Prizm skimmer was horribly mis-rated as being able to handle 90 gallons. Their response was to change the rating to 100 gallons :roll:. These items don't bear directly on their salt mix, but they do influence my opinion of the company in general.
If you evaporate the water from sea water and then add the water back, you will not get the same sea water you started with.
Here is the reason: All of the elements in sea water exist as ions. Either as single elements (like sodium Na+ or cloride Cl-) or as polyatomic ions (like hydroxide OH- or phosphate PO4(3-) ). When you start evaporating the water these ions concentrate and begin to form molecules. The theory is that by adding water back to the mix, the molecules will dissolve back into the proper ions. The problem is that as the water evaporates, there is no control over how the ions combine. For instance, you'd like the carbonate to combine with magnesium because this compond is easily broken down making the carbonate buffer readily available. However, there is nothing to stop the carbonate from combining with calcium as the water evaporates; and calcium carbonate is not soluable at normal aquarium pH levels. In other words, the calcium and carbonate that started out in the sea water end up as sand when you mix up your salt.
Like I said, no other manufacturer makes salt this way, and there is a reason.
Also, 1) We have found Red Sea's test kits to be some of the most inaccurate on the market. 2) We complained directly to the CEO of Red Sea that the Prizm skimmer was horribly mis-rated as being able to handle 90 gallons. Their response was to change the rating to 100 gallons :roll:. These items don't bear directly on their salt mix, but they do influence my opinion of the company in general.
>... Im sorry, next time you answer a post answer the question asked. I cant stand when I ask a question and somebody dwells on how they think I went wrong or what I am doing wrong, and not on the question I asked...
Interestingly, you are not the only one that said this... I guess I have not learn it yet... At any rate, if you feel that I was dwelling on anything that you did wrong, I feel you misunderstood me.
I was confused by what you mean when you said "more natural." I feel that all salt mix are synthetic, and the most natural seawater is harvested water such as Cataline Water and water collected from off shore. Any claim to being more or less natural is just a marketing term.
>... What is the best salt in your own opinion?
FWIW, I use IO mainly because of the price ($10/50 gal bag). I never have any problem with it, and do not intend to switch and risk getting into trouble.
Interestingly, you are not the only one that said this... I guess I have not learn it yet... At any rate, if you feel that I was dwelling on anything that you did wrong, I feel you misunderstood me.
I was confused by what you mean when you said "more natural." I feel that all salt mix are synthetic, and the most natural seawater is harvested water such as Cataline Water and water collected from off shore. Any claim to being more or less natural is just a marketing term.
>... What is the best salt in your own opinion?
FWIW, I use IO mainly because of the price ($10/50 gal bag). I never have any problem with it, and do not intend to switch and risk getting into trouble.
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