It is a shame for the people involved. Nonetheless natural selection at its best what a crazy world we live in..its funny how things in life mimic nature..and we all spend years trying to do the same...
did not get that when i used it in the past can you give some more info ? newts used base ec befor adding and anything else in the tank ? what medum are you in ?
how are you checking ph and ec with a wand/pen ? or test kit ?