Can't get Instant Ocean online?

[ncaldwell]

Amazon usually has crazy deals on it. I buy it all the time for 40-50 bucks for the 200 gal box

 

[Vince57]

LOL sorry, that was a similar thread on the same topic. Here is the post I shared earlier : )

We were contacted by the conglomerate that owns Instant ocean, Spectrum brands, and told they were going to remove instant ocean products from all online outlets. We have done our best to make a strong case as to why we were a strong partner and should be allowed to continue to offer this line to the reefing community. There are a variety of reasons why they may be willing to include us but they have not let us know definitively one way or another. Hopefully, that will happen soon but until then we will not be able to offer that particular salt.

This move seems to be to strengthen the brick and mortar distribution chain and almost certainly stabilize pricing to support that. In relation to Dr's I don't know this to be fact but my best guess is because they are owned by Petco which is a very dominant Brick and mortar retail company, Dr's will continue to offer instant ocean products online. However, I would not be surprised if there were some retail pricing changes that match Spectum's new strategy.

Again I certainly hope this is something that changes in the future because IO does offer value to the reefing community and something we would like to offer.

http://www.spectrumbrands.com

Thanks Ryan, for keeping us informed on IO, or for any Reefing matters, for that matter.
You're awesome!

 

[Catchemall]

Petsmart sells the 5 gallon bucket in my location for $70!!! So hopefully I can still get it online.

 

[WindeyD]

I get mine at my local store; it costs a bit more but I want to support a local business and a great shop.

 

[Celbrise]

i get mine at petco they only carry it in the 5 gallon buckets or really small boxes. i think i bought the 5gal bucket for around $70. my LFS that sells marine fish and stuff sells it as well along with other mixes but usually it's more expensive. those are the only 2 stores here that carry salt mixes not even the local pet store by my house that sells fresh water fish carries salt mixes unless it's the API brand for like ick or something.

 

[brian b]

I have been using Reef Crystals for 5 years but Amazon is starting to raise the price. I found this on Dr Fosters today, free shipping,
Coralife Marine Salt 200 gallon mix (box), CD-73810, $31.99

This any good compared to reef crystals

 

[Sealion]

I get my 200 gallon box of salt mix from Amazon. I like price, and being a prime member helps too.

 

[JasPR]

support your local dealers! if we don't they will go away and we will be left with mass marketers! whats wrong with that? Go into a PETCO and look at the inhumane conditions those saltwater fish are in-- most will die in a week. Its sickening. Choose a guy who has been a fish geek all his life and wants nothing more than to sell hand picked healthy sea life. I'm not a dealer or in the industry in any way ( except for being a published writer). heres a plug-- I have a choice of a number of stores -- I use Sea Level in Northern New Jersey to get my salt at mail order prices and then have the luxury of looking at and buying from some of the best maintained aquariums in New Jersey. Their instant ocean and crystals are in the $35-40 range ( a lost leader for the store I'm sure)

 

[Blue Lip]

It's hard to beat Dr Foster and Smith on their price. Every so often they have coupons that apply that make it hard to beat and free shipping at $49.

 

[Big G]

support your local dealers! if we don't they will go away and we will be left with mass marketers! whats wrong with that? Go into a PETCO and look at the inhumane conditions those saltwater fish are in-- most will die in a week. Its sickening. Choose a guy who has been a fish geek all his life and wants nothing more than to sell hand picked healthy sea life. I'm not a dealer or in the industry in any way ( except for being a published writer). heres a plug-- I have a choice of a number of stores -- I use Sea Level in Northern New Jersey to get my salt at mail order prices and then have the luxury of looking at and buying from some of the best maintained aquariums in New Jersey. Their instant ocean and crystals are in the $35-40 range ( a lost leader for the store I'm sure)

I agree, but some of us that live in rural areas of the country do not have dealers, especially saltwater dealers, in our area. It's over 100 mile drive for me to the nearest saltwater dealer that is an independent. Sad. Really sad. The last local guy gave up his saltwater shop to grow pot. I wish him and his family well, but he was the last "salty" guy around. Sad. Really sad.

 

[ncaldwell]

^Exactly, I live in alaska and there is basically 2 saltwater fish stores in the state, one being 4 hours away. With the shipping costs salt ends up being double at my lfs compared to petco or Amazon. Sometimes it's hard to support the lfs on dry goods

 

[fort wenty]

Amazon definitely has the best prices around on IO salt.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I just subscribe to Reef Crystals on Amazon. IO is $46 for 200 Gallons and RC is $53 for 200 Gallon box. And it's delivered to your door in two days if you're a prime member.

 

[RP709]

$46 for 200 gallon on Amazon that's where I get mine.

 

[Braves Fan]

Sooo,, I bought my IO from BRS,,, not being able to get it from them any longer,,, I didn't want to,, but I bought RC in my last order,,, What can I do to off set the 13 dkh that I will get with RC that was posted above,,, mix the RC with another salt to lower this 13 dkh?

 

[chi1grp]

I typically get my RC from pet solutions... I get 5 to 6 boxes of the 200 gallon... I make 50 gallons a week. Local petco only has small quantities. Local fish store does not stock a lot... I prefer to support the local store when possible but getting delivered to my door is going to be hard to give up.

 

[robert teseo]

I get a 160 bucket of io at my lfs for $49 and it's always in stock

 

[Apotack]

support your local dealers! if we don't they will go away and we will be left with mass marketers! whats wrong with that? Go into a PETCO and look at the inhumane conditions those saltwater fish are in-- most will die in a week. Its sickening. Choose a guy who has been a fish geek all his life and wants nothing more than to sell hand picked healthy sea life. I'm not a dealer or in the industry in any way ( except for being a published writer). heres a plug-- I have a choice of a number of stores -- I use Sea Level in Northern New Jersey to get my salt at mail order prices and then have the luxury of looking at and buying from some of the best maintained aquariums in New Jersey. Their instant ocean and crystals are in the $35-40 range ( a lost leader for the store I'm sure)

Your plug worked, I'm going to check this place out. It's been a really long time since I had a store like that.

 

[ALbque]

I don't know why you are bashing Petco ? I have purchased many healthy coral and sw fish from Petco. Maybe the stores you are dealing with need improvement ? You should e-mail Petco customer service with your concerns and your issues may and can be resolved ? I do belive Dr. Foster & Smith are affiliated with Petco ? You should not bash the complete chain for a couple of poorly operated stores that you frequent !

 

[greenhorn reefer]

I would have to agree. I hated seeing the poor condition of the fish section in Petcos but I have actually seen a few decent ones as well. Can't condemn them all over a few bad apples.