Warning! Potential Problem with Kent Salt.

Psyire · #1 02-16-2006, 04:50 AM

Apparently there is a potential problem with Kent Salt.

There has been some reports of problems with 200g bucket salt mix composition.

The problem is an extremly low alkalinity. (below 1 dKH)

Possibly from not adding sodium bicarbonate to the mixture.

Kent apparently switched factories from Instant Ocean to Coralife and this problem has developed. (New buckets have Yellow in the logo/image)

If you are using Kent salt that was purchased recently I would urge you to test your water to avoid any potential catastrophies.

More info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=760882

***This is not good news for people who were just in on the Group Buy in Edmonton, however I haven't had a chance to test the salt recieved in that specific order. So I am unsure if they have fixed the problem by now or not. If you were in on the order and can test this salt ASAP, that would be good. If not, I should have results in a few days. I'm hoping they fixed the problem a couple weeks ago when it was first noticed.

Willow · #2 02-16-2006, 04:57 AM

oh dang, this would explain why my alk has been so ridiculously low. bastages! any idea on if we can get these buckets replaced?

Chin_Lee · #3 02-16-2006, 05:03 AM

well thats would seem to explain my corals sliming after the first time I did a water change with the yellow logo Kent salt. I also noticed a significant drop of alk after the water change so my second water change, i used 50% IO and 50% Kent and it went well without any sliming.
Is there any plans for this batch of Kent to be rectified?

Willow · #4 02-16-2006, 05:13 AM

reading that rc thread it sure doesnt sound like it. im going to email them tonight.

untamed · #5 02-16-2006, 05:25 AM

That is a huge problem for Kent. That is one ugly discussion. I have used nothing but Kent salt for 13 years. I guess I got lucky because I've only been using the 50 gallon bags and it didn't hit me. I've been very careless about measuring the freshly mixed SW.

I think the expensive question I'm asking is..."How could an error that significant happen?...and what does that mean for the less significant (but also important) elements of the salt?" It suggests to me that there is very poor quality control going on in their production, and that is enough to scare me away.

There is a huge level of trust that aquarists place in their salt manufacturer. I had assumed that the salt I was using was subject to testing such that something like this just could not happen. I was incorrect.

Psyire · #6 02-16-2006, 05:52 AM

Things aren't getting any better...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=766263

Matt · #7 02-16-2006, 05:55 AM

Scary thread, BUT I just tested the dregs from my mix from this recent group salt order. dKH is 9. I don't know if that is good enough, but it is within acceptable range, I think.

Again, KENT, 200g pail, Edmonton Group Salt buy, 9dKH

Matt

Denis · #8 02-19-2006, 09:45 PM

Heads up, I just tested my bucket (what was left of it) and got dKH = 1.
I purchased it from J&L on Dec. 8th.
Does anyone know if J&L is replacing these?

Beverly · #9 02-19-2006, 10:18 PM

Don't know. Why not contact J&L and let us know what they say.

rickjames · #10 02-20-2006, 02:14 AM

I just tested a new bucket that I bought about 1 month ago at J&L, luckily haven't used it yet. I screwed up a little on the salt mix so these levels should adjust to even lower at 35ppt. I tested salinity with a refractometer and Alk with a salifert test kit:

Old bucket of kent @ 38ppt:
10.9 dkh

New bucket of kent @ 39ppt:
3.6 dkh

Going to email J&L tommorow and buy a new bucket of Seachem.