Chemical Purity

[jduong916]

How can I tell the purity or quality of chemicals? I always hear people say look for a USP sticker or what grade is it (food, technical, pharma, etc.). But what happens if there are none of those markings but the product says, for example, 100% magnesium chloride hexahydrate. Doesn’t 100% mean that’s all it is, that one ingredient; shouldn’t this product be good to go?

 

[tzabor10]

Definitely look for food grade or similar markings

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Various grades such as food grade will be on the label and carry with them a variety of tests the product must pass.

The percentages on the label can mean almost nothing, especially if it says 100%, since that may mean it is the only ingredient added to the bottle. A label that says 99.9% is much more useful and desirable than one that says 100%.

Also, the percentages are often reduced by the moisture in it. Thus, 77% calcium chloride may possibly be free of any other chemical other than water and calcium chloride.

I’m happy to help interpret labels if you want.

 

[jduong916]

Various grades such as food grade will be on the label and carry with them a variety of tests the product must pass.

The percentages on the label can mean almost nothing, especially if it says 100%, since that may mean it is the only ingredient added to the bottle. A label that says 99.9% is much more useful and desirable than one that says 100%.

Also, the percentages are often reduced by the moisture in it. Thus, 77% calcium chloride may possibly be free of any other chemical other than water and calcium chloride.

I’m happy to help interpret labels if you want.

So I got this from the website:

And this is the first page of the safety data sheet:

@Randy Holmes-Farley you did say something about this on a different post, but I only posted a link to the product. Sorry to beat a dead horse.

Safe Step 8300 50 Lb. Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt Pellets | Do it Best

Maximum power melts ice in extremely cold temperatures. Made up of 100% magnesium chloride hexahydrate for faster melting action.

www.doitbest.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I cannot tell its purity and suitability. Ammonia is one concern, and metal impurities are a possibility. It is likely ok, but I cannot know for sure.

 

[jduong916]

Thanks Randy, I guess I’ll give it a shot. Wish I wasn’t such a cheapo.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy, I guess I’ll give it a shot. Wish I wasn’t such a cheapo.

let us know how it works out!

 

[jduong916]

let us know how it works out!

Sorry for all the requests, but I'm not sure how to read these sheets. Do these tell you anything about the product as far as reef use goes? This brand is called MAG, but I'm not sure if it's the one you site in your articles. The flakes and pellets look to be the same stuff by the specification sheets, but pellets are a lot easier to get.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, those are the ones and I’d use those.

 

[jduong916]

Yes, those are the ones and I’d use those.

Great, thanks for the response!

Does this mean I'm getting trace elements as well lol.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Great, thanks for the response!

Does this mean I'm getting trace elements as well lol.

Any chemical or food has trace elements in it. It’s just a question of how much if each.

You are also getting some potassium and bromide (neither are trace elements).

But note that all of these numbers (except iron) are maximum levels. The actual levels may be that high, or less, or maybe far less.