ESV Salt,,, BAD BATCH?????

[reefmaniac]

I to have had problems with the ESV Salt. I have never mixed a batch with a Ca less then 580, and Alk of 12DkH. I called and spoke with one of the owners Bob and he suggested using a scale. So I went out and bought another 200 gal box a higher end scale and what do you know... Cal 580 Alk 12, I even weighed out every gal of water. This will be my last box of ESV I will buy.

You broke up any clumps in the salt and mag Right? And also are you sure you measured the liquids right? I know a few people that were measuring the liquids to the wrong line on that little cup.

 

[ereefer]

Yes I broke up every clump, and weighed everything out to the gram on a higher end scale. Also compaired results on 2 different test kits.

 

[greg 45]

Did You try to call ESV and talk to them .
I dont think they are on this forum.
After talking with them please tell us about the conversation.
There are alought of people using this salt.
Keep us posted.

 

[ryangrieder]

What I can say is...never go by "bottled containers" either to measure. If followed instructions on top of chart, they tell you how to measure. By doing diameter and circumference measurements, you need to figure out the exact measurement of water you have, like they say, to have EXACT measurements of water, not by what SHOULD be correct with either going by a 5 gallon bucket, bottled 5 gallon containers, or 1 gallon containers. You need to fill the garbage can, do the measurements to see how much water you have, and alter if needed to pin point amount of water.

May seem crazy to have to have 100% pin point everything with this salt, and ALOT of work, but you get what you pay for, and the results are nothing but great achievement...

I use this salt for quite some time now, and Never had issues, except the first time when I did not do exact water measurements.

 

[tynman]

WOW this is a first that Im hearing someone not liking this salt!! I dont use it cause Im not a scientist and dont want to measure how much water and then how much of the 4 diffrent product and then test the new water for the 4 things... I personally like to just get the salt to there I like it 33 ppm and then all the levels should be where I need them to be and Im good for another week and a 1/2... But I have never heard anything bad about this salt since its been out... Oh and I also think it is over price too...

 

[Lunareclipse]

Some people like lower salinity and some like higher salinity. So they put more in the box to make sure everyone is happy. Make sure you measure averything before putting it in the water.

 

[ryangrieder]

Oh and I also think it is over price too...

no to hijack ...... but over priced?

ESV...
25gallons - $22.97
50gallons - $27.97
200gallons - $68.97


over priced? how so? compared to maybeeeeeee instant ocean (one of the cheapest salts out there, and by far not best) 10 dollar difference for higher quality? in this hobby, 10 bucks should not consist of overpriced or even be an issue...

 

[Lunareclipse]

no to hijack ...... but over priced?

ESV...
25gallons - $22.97
50gallons - $27.97
200gallons - $68.97


over priced? how so? compared to maybeeeeeee instant ocean (one of the cheapest salts out there, and by far not best) 10 dollar difference for higher quality? in this hobby, 10 bucks should not consist of overpriced or even be an issue...

lol. In this hobby saving $10.00 is like getting a $300.00 discount on a trip to the moon. $10.00 is a drop in the bucket. ESV salt is worth the extra 10.

 

[ereefer]

Wow where are you getting it for 68.97 for 200 gal. I paid 84.99 here in Pa, I can get salinity for the same price, and that's what I'm going to next. I'm tired of fighting high Cal levels.

 

[albano]

ESV...
200gallons - $68.97

you're not looking very hard if you're paying that much!


.

 

[ryangrieder]

i get mine from saltwater critters.
http://www.saltwatercritters.com/inc/sdetail/2834/2839

 

[mellotang]

Why anyone would complain about high Kh, Ca, and Mg in a salt mix is beyond me. These parameters at higher than NSW will help your captive reef much more than hinder it.

I have been using ESV since it was first available have gone through aprox 50 200 gal mixes and NEVER had a problem with the salt. If you add the magnesium before the salt is fully mixed things dont disolve right but other than that it by far the best salt I have ever used in 15 years of reefkeeping!! My fish thank me and corals wave their polyps in approval immediately after a water change.

ESV is so on top of quality control its ridiculous! They are true professionals and a valuable asset to the aquarium industry. Other companies should take a lesson!

 

[Josh]

Why anyone would complain about high Kh, Ca, and Mg in a salt mix is beyond me. These parameters at higher than NSW will help your captive reef much more than hinder it.

Not so fast. Alkalinity will absolutely kill your corals and stress out your fish if it is too high. Really anything above 12-14 and you will see some corals RTN, lose color, and also recede. Magnesium can also affect animals if too high. Ca is typically not a concern as it will precipitate before you have a problem.

 

[greg 45]

Have you contacted ESV with your issue .
After reading this mess dont you think they would answer your questions.
Everyone has a oppinion .
ESV makes the salt why havent you called them yet.
sorry 4 spelling

 

[ereefer]

I have called and spoke to Bob, one of the two owners, and I believe the chemist of the business. He suggested I get a scale that it would be much more accurate, and I did. Still getting high levels. I agree this is the only salt I have ever used that all the polyps stay open after the WC. I just can't get the Ca under control.

 

[greg 45]

Glad to hear bob helped you out to some extent.
If the tank looks happy just go with it.
I dont think (my 2cents worth) that most of these test kits are on the money .
Just go but gut feeling and how your tank looks.
LOL Greg

 

[batt600]

Owww god . another post on esv salt come on guy its not that hard to use . YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF WATER IT THAT THAT HARD TO UNDERSTAND IF NOT IT WILL ALWAY BE OFFFFFFF. Follow the table a 5 year old can do it . And trust me my daughter is 5 and she does it for me and it alway right........

 

[prattreef]

I spoke with Bob from ESV today and I mentioned this thread to him. As a general policy he doesn't get involved in on-line discussions of his products, but he did request that the original poster ( or anyone else that might have an issue) contact him directly so he can help figure out what is going on.

 

[jcs11236]

lol ^
i as well have issues buth with mag levels. i use a scale and the alk and cal is always right on point. but my mag is never higher than 1260

 

[CHEMCHEF]

I am going to give ESV a call tomorrow.As it stands for now. I have added 6 gallons of distilled water and the Alk is @ 11, Cal. 450.
Thae salinity was 1.022 after adding FW. I have it up to 1.025 using 1-3/4 Cups Pt.1 (which makes sense considering a 5 gal batch is 1-1/2 cups of sodium).
Mag is tough. It seems to be 1000 after adding about 3/4 of a cup in small increments. ( which does not make sense. Because a five gallon batch only calls for 1/2 cup mag) However I feel this may have to do with the fact that I am adding the mag as pt. 5 as opposed to pt. 2 which is prior to the cal. alk. stage.
Pehaps I am wrong so I will give them a call tomorrow and ask them some questions, and perhaps apologize for bashing their quality control.