Instant Ocean Brown Residue

[JGT]

Looks like my preferred mix (normal IO) is the cheapest of the bunch.

I'm not sure why anyone picks Reef Crystals over normal IO these days.

I have heard people say RC has a higher CA and MG content as well as trace elements and vitamins than IO.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

Good article

I like summaries, not the conclusions... ive used Instant Ocean on reef tank heavy with SPS for years. So do many. Calling it a fish only salt is not very accurate. I prefer a cheap, predictable base salt, and specifically adding to my dosing schedule anything that it might need.

Ive never had a out of parameter ICP using instant ocean and All for Reef for example. The powered All for Reef makes this combo a no brainer IMO.... $35 salt buckets and alk and trace for $80 that lasts a very long time.

With big tanks use IO and a calcium reactor or kalk slurry for alk, and dose just needed trace...

Seems a waste of money to do any sort of large water change with tropic marin pro or the like...

 

[Duncan62]

I clean out my brute can every time is make Saltwater I used instant ocean for years then I was getting more and more crud in my can, so I switched to Fritz pro RPM never had that problem again always mixes clean. Tropic Marin is also a good salt that mixes clean. BRS had a video on salts

Has anyone tried ELOS salt mix? I've heard it's great.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have heard people say RC has a higher CA and MG content as well as trace elements and vitamins than IO.

RC has vitamins that normal IO does not, which is why I do not elect reef crystals.

I do not see a benefit for higher calcium or magnesium than normal IO has now.

On the trace elements, I do not think salt studies bear out that claim. A number of years ago it was trendy for folks like Ron Shimek to claim the problem with IO was too much trace elements, not too little.

 

[Duncan62]

RC has vitamins that normal IO does not, which is why I do not elect reef crystals.

I do not see a benefit for higher calcium or magnesium than normal IO has now.

On the trace elements, I do not think salt studies bear out that claim. A number of years ago it was trendy for folks like Ron Shimek to claim the problem with IO was too much trace elements, not too little.

Any data on elos mix?

 

[Midrats]

My 25 year old IO mixing bucket looks like a Chief's coffee cup.

 

[Spare time]

edit: remove comment; wrong thread lol

 

[Jedi1199]

So I switched back to IO regular after running ESV for over 5 years.
I ran 2 12 gallon batches in my brute and noticed the brown residue on the sides.
I just finished making 30 gallons for my remote fuge yesterday.
I put 1/4 cup of Rox carbon in a small nylon bag and floated it while mixing.
I have to run an air stone as I reduce the alk to 7.5.

The small amount of carbon picked up all the brown matter and the water was crystal clear with no residue on the sides of the brute.

Has anyone else tried this?

No, But I am going to now!!

Thanks for the tip!!

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Looks like my preferred mix (normal IO) is the cheapest of the bunch.

I'm not sure why anyone picks Reef Crystals over normal IO these days.

I use reef crystals, but if you think that regular IO is sufficient. I will make the change on my next bucket