can we discuss the salt

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you I've read a couple things about rscp that says it doesn't store well, but yours is the first I've read about rc, so that's good info to have. I was worried I was going to have to use regular io to be able to store it, and then dose for the differences.

There are some issues storing reef crystals. It has to do with the vitamins in it. They will likely degrade once dissolved in the water, and could be food to drive bacterial growth as well.

So if you think them useful, you probably should use the water shortly after making it.

I'd also recommend keeping RC aerated to prevent stagnation from potential bacteria, while ordinary IO (like I use) has no problem being stored for long periods unstirred.

FWIW, I don't see any benefit to RC over IO except a small amount of extra calcium, which, if needed, can simply be added to it or to the tank. In my case, I prefer the lower calcium since I use limewater (kalkwasser) which tends to increase calcium over time.

 

[alexkharden]

There are some issues storing reef crystals. It has to do with the vitamins in it. They will likely degrade once dissolved in the water, and could be food to drive bacterial growth as well.

So if you think them useful, you probably should use the water shortly after making it.

I'd also recommend keeping RC aerated to prevent stagnation from potential bacteria, while ordinary IO (like I use) has no problem being stored for long periods unstirred.

FWIW, I don't see any benefit to RC over IO except a small amount of extra calcium, which, if needed, can simply be added to it or to the tank. In my case, I prefer the lower calcium since I use limewater (kalkwasser) which tends to increase calcium over time.

Thank you for replying. Right now I have 1 200g bag of rscp that I got for free, and one 200g box of io that I paid for. My plan was to use all of the rscp and part of the io for my initial setup, since between dt and sump I'll need about 250 gallons. Then I was trying to decide what to use for the awc setup on a long term basis. Since I have a ghl doser, it sounds like my best very would be to just continue with io on a permanent basis (I've read it stores perfectly), and then when I start adding corals start dosing at the same time.

 

[Stephanie11]

We do a blend. We buy the 200 gallons box of RC and a 200 gallon box of IO. We Add a bag each to a bucket the shake and roll the bucket. Moulton712 gets a workout!

We have been thinking of switching salts. Thinking Red Sea or HW. RC was inconstant for us for the past year and ultra high alk hense the blend.

 

[cmcoker]

Ok, @Sabellafella
I just mixed around 20g.
Red sea Blue bucket

SG 1.026, refractometer calibrated with Diy Potassium Chloride 35ppt solution, got the recipe from Randy Holmes-Farley.

ALK - 8.2
Ca - 400
Mag - 1300

All levels tested with Red Sea Pro test kits

 

[Sabellafella]

Ok, @Sabellafella
I just mixed around 20g.
Red sea Blue bucket

SG 1.026, refractometer calibrated with Diy Potassium Chloride 35ppt solution, got the recipe from Randy Holmes-Farley.

ALK - 8.2
Ca - 400
Mag - 1300

All levels tested with Red Sea Pro test kits

I need salt like this because i have to order esv and its a pain. Also with the redsea coral pro. Its funny because i was just going to post on here but heres my issue. I have 3 different open buckets of coralpro. Im pretty sure something happened with their salt packing manufacturer. 2buckets have a newer thinner bag nd a dark blue barbed ziptie thing that the salt comes in (big bucket) and the other is the old bag with the thicker bag with lighter blue ziptie) . I take the bags out and roll them around before everywater change and put it back in a bigger bucket. The 2 newer packaged rscp came to
12.5 alk
370. Calc
1300. Mag

The old is the usuall
12.2 alk
470 calc
1420 mag

Now before i get into this. My lfs told me someone from redsea got fired who handles the salt manufacturing. I dont kno if it relates to this but im pretty ticked because i cant add my 2part calc into the rscp mixup or else it starts to snow

 

[Reef_a_holiks]

Ive been using instant ocean salts since i started the hobby. Used regular instant ocean for my previous Fowlr's. Used Reef crystals every since i started dealing with corals. Great salt!