Kent salt users

[christyf5]

So I've been using Kent for some time now. Usually its the best bang for my buck (ie. larger container, lasts longer) in getting over to the island. I always check the bucket before I use it and parameters are usually about the same with 420 ppm Ca and 7.8 Alk at 1.026.

The bucket I just cracked open last week (bought just before christmas) is coming out at well over 500ppm Ca (more than one salifert syringe, I'd guesstimate about 550ppm) alk is at 13.2 dkH and mg is over 1500 (more than one salifert syringe). I tested these twice. Normally I wouldn't be *overly* concerned but these values are way off of what I've normally gotten in the bucket and it makes me wonder what other values are jacked up. I did the testing last week on the bucket and was shocked to see these values but I figured it was just me. I was sort of in a hurry to do a water change as I hadn't done one in a few weeks with the holidays. However now I'm seeing some white tips on some of my sps and was wondering what the heck was going on in the tank. All tank parameters come out ok (ca = 435ppm alk=7.2 dkH mg=1335ppm). However those are the only parameters I measure for.

Has anyone else noticed this out of their bucket?

[christyf5]

oh cripes, is it just me again?

[findingnemo1]

Hi Christy

We bought a couple buckets at xmas as we'll but when i tested them last week this is what i got.

Calcium: 420
Dkh-8 at 1.026
Mag-1300
I'm thinking you got a wacked out batch...I wonder if a call to them would have them replacing it?

Lisa

[Johnny Reefer]

In early December I tested a 23.5g tote containing 13 cups (1.027SG) at 575Ca, 1575Mg, 9.0dKH.

[Johnny Reefer]

........for what it's worth......

[christyf5]

Thanks Mark. I just heard back from Kent and they do their lab testing at 1.020-1.023 and get Ca = 480, Alk = 9.0 dkH, Mg = 1280ppm.

At 1.026 I've always had Ca = 435, Alk 7.8 and mg = 1300 for like the last 6-7 buckets I've used. I'm just wondering why Ca and Alk are so high.

I ended up buying a second bucket locally (slightly different lot number) and got even higher values than the first bucket (Ca=500, Alk = 15+, Mg=1500+). I'm just wondering if the Ca and Alk have such elevated values, what else in the salt has elevated values? I'm still seeing burned white tips on my sps (those that are already affected are just continuing. I don't see any new colonies affected) but with this second bucket crap as well I can't do any water changes to dilute out whatever got in there in the first place.