Instant Ocean Mix Parameters

drblank1 · Jan 29, 2021

I have a ton of IO salt mix (about 500 gallons) from my days long ago in fish only tank. I'm using it until it until gone. I have a new tank that is fishless cycling at this time. I mixed up a batch of IO to 35ppm salinity for a water change and out of curiosity, tested the mix (after 24 hours of mixing and heating). It came out to the following:

35 sal (refractomter)
9.8 dKH (Hanna)
420 cal (Red Sea)
1320 mag (Aqua Forest)

I was just going to use the IO up and switch to Tropic Marin Pro before adding corals but these parameters are not far off from my what I thought I would start with (alk is high - want 9 dKH). Does anyone use IO with success in a mixed reef tank?

Any experienced feedback would be appreciated on IO (not reef crystals).

Thanks.

itsken37 · Jan 29, 2021

yes! I love it! It has worked very well for me average mag and calcium

EricGRIT09 · Jan 29, 2021

I've used IO for years as it mixes up right at or near my preferred parameters. Good (for me) parameters, little dirty while mixing, super cheap - works for me.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 29, 2021

drblank1 said:
Does anyone use IO with success in a mixed reef tank?

Any experienced feedback would be appreciated on IO (not reef crystals).

Certainly. It is all i used for 20 years in my reef tank. IMO it is a better choice than some other mixes intended for reefs, and may not be worse than any.

blasterman · Jan 29, 2021

Everybody uses it. It's decent mix.

Idoc · Jan 29, 2021

Mine typically mixes up to 9dKh and 400 calcium.

I used to use the more expensive synthetic salts, but couldn't justify the costs when this salt was very close in parameters and half the price. It doesn't have all the amino acids, etc... but if you want that, then use Reef Crystals.