Reef Crystals Production Issues Recently?

ReefTECK · 02/08/2008, 08:30 PM

So I heard through the grape vine from a customer and local reef club buddy of mine that some batches of Reef Crystals have been low in Magnesium and Calcium? Any truth to this?

kb27973 · 02/08/2008, 08:35 PM

Yep, you can read all about it in the chemistry forum.
Ken

ReefTECK · 02/08/2008, 08:53 PM

hmm.....good to kno thx

LobsterOfJustice · 02/08/2008, 10:04 PM

kb, got any particular links? I just bought 4 buckets from DFS.

ReefTECK · 02/08/2008, 10:49 PM

Yeah I had a hard time locating those threads too if anybody has got some information?

thx,
andy

scotmc · 02/08/2008, 11:17 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1285879

mixed_reefer · 02/09/2008, 12:02 AM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1270094

kb27973 · 02/09/2008, 01:29 AM

FWIW, Not all buckets have the low Ca, Mg problem. I bought a bucket from a LFS at the time of the issue and it tested out fine. Part of the problem was the company couldn't give out batch numbers that were bad so it was hit or miss.
Ken

kb27973 · 02/09/2008, 01:38 AM

LobsterOfJustice - From the threads you will find that a lot of people that bought from DFS had the problem so you may want to test your buckets. If it bothers you that you have bad batches in one of the threads they give an email address where you can contact somebody to get new buckets. If I remember correctly they have you send in a cup of the salt, they test it and if it is bad they will send you a new bucket.

BTW, I like your tag line. Hilarious movie...

Ken

xenon · 02/09/2008, 01:47 AM

I just tested my RC and its fine.

Alk - 11dkh
Cal - 460

LobsterOfJustice · 02/09/2008, 12:51 PM

Just tested one of my 4 new buckets...

Ca (API) - 360
Ca (Salifert) - 325
Alk (API) - 8.5
Alk (LaMotte) - 9.2
Mg (Salifert) - 1050

Looks like its time to send some salt samples out...

CeeGee · 02/09/2008, 01:02 PM

I have never had Magnesium that low while using Reef Crystals (testing with salifert) it is always around 1300-1350. I would definitely send that out.

That being said it is time for me to head over to DFS to order a couple of buckets of Reef Crystals.

balto777 · 02/09/2008, 01:43 PM

I used to use Red Sea Salt, but changed to Reef Crystals about 3 months ago. Slowly, I had a hair algea bloom and my torch coral was suffering. I did not know what was happening because I never changed anything that I was doing before.

I admit I was a little lax on testing, but it was never a problem. Last week I did a full battery of water tests and I found out my Calcium was at 325ppm and my magnesium was at 1000ppm.

Immediately, I started putting my levels back to where they should be and my hair algea is almost half gone and my torch is coming back. Only thing I changed was my salt brand.

LobsterOfJustice · 02/09/2008, 03:06 PM

CeeGee, if you can, I would wait another month or two.

CeeGee · 02/11/2008, 09:21 PM

too late. I am changing water in my tank like crazy trying to rid it of this awful algae and it is time for more salt. I will test it before I use it. I always do.

Thanks for the warning though I had no idea that they were having issues.

LobsterOfJustice · 02/11/2008, 09:54 PM

Huh, in that case, you should have saved a few bucks and bought IO this time around.

I sent an email to Aquarium Systems, got a reply saying I needed to send a sample, I sent back another email verifying that I should send a 1 cup sample from each of four buckets...

CeeGee · 02/12/2008, 10:29 PM

maybe I will get lucky. I doubt it, but I still hold on to hope although it has never done me much good

LobsterOfJustice · 02/12/2008, 10:48 PM

Let us know. I'm sending out my 4 samples this week when I have time.

EvilE · 02/16/2008, 01:17 AM

I contacted Aquarium Systems (maker of IO and RC) and told them about my low Calcium and Magnesium testing from my bucket of Reef Crystals, and I got a response back, that they will test my salt, if I send them a sample. Now that seems fair, BUT I think since I am a customer of theirs, relying on and buying THEIR product, they should pay for the damn shipping postage! Why should I have to pay for it, when it's their fault that they sold defective faulty salt!!?? That's bad CR if you ask me!

schigara · 02/16/2008, 01:27 AM

I guess I should send in a cup to be analyzed...............oh wait, I use Oceanic, nevermind.

I tried 2 buckets of Reef Crystals because I bought into the marketing ploy of the name but found the results of the tests to be a bit lackluster. I thought because the name included the word "reef" that it would be good and that sooooo many were using it but I had to dose more heavily in ca and alk so I went back to OC.

EvilE · 02/16/2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by schigara
I guess I should send in a cup to be analyzed...............oh wait, I use Oceanic, nevermind.

I tried 2 buckets of Reef Crystals because I bought into the marketing ploy of the name but found the results of the tests to be a bit lackluster. I thought because the name included the word "reef" that it would be good and that sooooo many were using it but I had to dose more heavily in ca and alk so I went back to OC.

LobsterOfJustice · 02/16/2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EvilE
I contacted Aquarium Systems (maker of IO and RC) and told them about my low Calcium and Magnesium testing from my bucket of Reef Crystals, and I got a response back, that they will test my salt, if I send them a sample. Now that seems fair, BUT I think since I am a customer of theirs, relying on and buying THEIR product, they should pay for the damn shipping postage! Why should I have to pay for it, when it's their fault that they sold defective faulty salt!!?? That's bad CR if you ask me!

Honestly, I'm not too worried about it. My case: shipping 4 cups of salt will cost maybe $10. Them shipping 4 BUCKETS of salt, $$$$!!!!! Plus, you get the keep the defective buckets, which are still usable if you supplement them. Thats worth more than the shipping I'm paying IMO.

rbursek · 02/16/2008, 11:19 AM

Just got my 3 buckets from AM, making water to mix up a batch and test to see what these replacement buckets test out at.

LobsterOfJustice · 03/13/2008, 09:08 AM

I have gotten no word since I sent out the samples almost a month ago. I emailed asking for updates at the beginning of the week and have not heard anything back.

EvilE · 03/13/2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LobsterOfJustice
I have gotten no word since I sent out the samples almost a month ago. I emailed asking for updates at the beginning of the week and have not heard anything back.

I got a email a couple weeks ago stating they are sending me a replacement bucket--have not received it to date.......

02/08/2008, 08:30 PM	#1
ReefTECK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 901	Reef Crystals Production Issues Recently? So I heard through the grape vine from a customer and local reef club buddy of mine that some batches of Reef Crystals have been low in Magnesium and Calcium? Any truth to this? __________________ 2013 President of the Greater Iowa Reef Society www.iowareefs.org Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Tank, 96 DIY LED's on 3 channels, 30gal sump/fuge, 4x2x0.5' & 40gal frag tank, SRO Ca rxr, GSA Kalk rxr, SRO 3000 skmr, Gen-X PCX40 Return, 2xMP40w's, 1xTunze 6101, 140lbs LR, SSB, SPS all the way!

02/08/2008, 08:53 PM	#3
ReefTECK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 901	hmm.....good to kno thx __________________ 2013 President of the Greater Iowa Reef Society www.iowareefs.org Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Tank, 96 DIY LED's on 3 channels, 30gal sump/fuge, 4x2x0.5' & 40gal frag tank, SRO Ca rxr, GSA Kalk rxr, SRO 3000 skmr, Gen-X PCX40 Return, 2xMP40w's, 1xTunze 6101, 140lbs LR, SSB, SPS all the way!

02/08/2008, 10:04 PM	#4
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	kb, got any particular links? I just bought 4 buckets from DFS. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

02/08/2008, 10:49 PM	#5
ReefTECK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 901	Yeah I had a hard time locating those threads too if anybody has got some information? thx, andy __________________ 2013 President of the Greater Iowa Reef Society www.iowareefs.org Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Tank, 96 DIY LED's on 3 channels, 30gal sump/fuge, 4x2x0.5' & 40gal frag tank, SRO Ca rxr, GSA Kalk rxr, SRO 3000 skmr, Gen-X PCX40 Return, 2xMP40w's, 1xTunze 6101, 140lbs LR, SSB, SPS all the way!

02/09/2008, 12:51 PM	#11
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Just tested one of my 4 new buckets... Ca (API) - 360 Ca (Salifert) - 325 Alk (API) - 8.5 Alk (LaMotte) - 9.2 Mg (Salifert) - 1050 Looks like its time to send some salt samples out... __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

02/08/2008, 08:35 PM	#2
kb27973 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Denver, CO. Posts: 715	Yep, you can read all about it in the chemistry forum. Ken

02/08/2008, 11:17 PM	#6
scotmc Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 765	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1285879

02/09/2008, 12:02 AM	#7
mixed_reefer Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 516	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1270094

02/09/2008, 01:29 AM	#8
kb27973 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Denver, CO. Posts: 715	FWIW, Not all buckets have the low Ca, Mg problem. I bought a bucket from a LFS at the time of the issue and it tested out fine. Part of the problem was the company couldn't give out batch numbers that were bad so it was hit or miss. Ken

02/09/2008, 01:38 AM	#9
kb27973 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Denver, CO. Posts: 715	LobsterOfJustice - From the threads you will find that a lot of people that bought from DFS had the problem so you may want to test your buckets. If it bothers you that you have bad batches in one of the threads they give an email address where you can contact somebody to get new buckets. If I remember correctly they have you send in a cup of the salt, they test it and if it is bad they will send you a new bucket. BTW, I like your tag line. Hilarious movie... Ken

02/09/2008, 01:47 AM	#10
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	I just tested my RC and its fine. Alk - 11dkh Cal - 460

02/09/2008, 01:02 PM	#12
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	I have never had Magnesium that low while using Reef Crystals (testing with salifert) it is always around 1300-1350. I would definitely send that out. That being said it is time for me to head over to DFS to order a couple of buckets of Reef Crystals. __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

02/09/2008, 01:43 PM	#13
balto777 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 421	I used to use Red Sea Salt, but changed to Reef Crystals about 3 months ago. Slowly, I had a hair algea bloom and my torch coral was suffering. I did not know what was happening because I never changed anything that I was doing before. I admit I was a little lax on testing, but it was never a problem. Last week I did a full battery of water tests and I found out my Calcium was at 325ppm and my magnesium was at 1000ppm. Immediately, I started putting my levels back to where they should be and my hair algea is almost half gone and my torch is coming back. Only thing I changed was my salt brand. __________________ - Aaron Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder Mixed-Reef

02/09/2008, 03:06 PM	#14
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	CeeGee, if you can, I would wait another month or two. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

02/11/2008, 09:21 PM	#15
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	too late. I am changing water in my tank like crazy trying to rid it of this awful algae and it is time for more salt. I will test it before I use it. I always do. Thanks for the warning though I had no idea that they were having issues. __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

02/11/2008, 09:54 PM	#16
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Huh, in that case, you should have saved a few bucks and bought IO this time around. I sent an email to Aquarium Systems, got a reply saying I needed to send a sample, I sent back another email verifying that I should send a 1 cup sample from each of four buckets... __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

02/12/2008, 10:29 PM	#17
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	maybe I will get lucky. I doubt it, but I still hold on to hope although it has never done me much good __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

02/12/2008, 10:48 PM	#18
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Let us know. I'm sending out my 4 samples this week when I have time. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

02/16/2008, 01:17 AM	#19
EvilE Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,944	I contacted Aquarium Systems (maker of IO and RC) and told them about my low Calcium and Magnesium testing from my bucket of Reef Crystals, and I got a response back, that they will test my salt, if I send them a sample. Now that seems fair, BUT I think since I am a customer of theirs, relying on and buying THEIR product, they should pay for the damn shipping postage! Why should I have to pay for it, when it's their fault that they sold defective faulty salt!!?? That's bad CR if you ask me!

02/16/2008, 01:27 AM	#20
schigara Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Memphis, Tn Posts: 525	I guess I should send in a cup to be analyzed...............oh wait, I use Oceanic, nevermind. I tried 2 buckets of Reef Crystals because I bought into the marketing ploy of the name but found the results of the tests to be a bit lackluster. I thought because the name included the word "reef" that it would be good and that sooooo many were using it but I had to dose more heavily in ca and alk so I went back to OC. Last edited by schigara; 02/16/2008 at 01:47 AM.

02/16/2008, 11:19 AM	#23
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	Just got my 3 buckets from AM, making water to mix up a batch and test to see what these replacement buckets test out at.

03/13/2008, 09:08 AM	#24
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	I have gotten no word since I sent out the samples almost a month ago. I emailed asking for updates at the beginning of the week and have not heard anything back. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles