Instant Ocean users

[Legal Reefer]

Any reefers that have been using IO or IO reef crystals long term have tank pics of corals grown out using it. I know a lot of people use it, I would really like to see the results possible using IO. I realize a lot of other factors come in to play, such as water source, light, additives, but want to see results possible using this salt. Would really appreciate any coral or full tank shots.

 

[Dilan Patel]

I have a few. The darker photos are with a dslr camera taken a while ago but the first picture is with an iphone taken about a month ago. I have more corals just the lights are off and cannot get pictures

 

[Legal Reefer]

I have a few. The darker photos are with a dslr camera taken a while ago but the first picture is with an iphone taken about a month ago. I have more corals just the lights are off and cannot get pictures

Thanks. Are you using regular IO or reef crystals?

 

[ndrwater]

Been using IO for years...

 

[Dilan Patel]

These were just taken real quickly with the iphone camera

 

[Dilan Patel]

regular IO

 

[dragon99]

I've been using IO, but nothing impressive to really show. Not the salts fault though.

Jason Fox uses IO. Several videos of his tanks out there and his success.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

I used IO salt (purple paper box) when I start saltwater tank four years ago. That same old water has been in my tank since then, and still smells like ocean. It's cheap and good quality salt IMO.

 

[ca1ore]

Look at my thread over in the large aquarium forum, all the large colonies were grown in IO. Have used nothing else in the last 10 years. If the impetus for your question is that IO somehow performs less well than the higher prices salt mixes, this is clearly false. I do use a calcium reactor to replenish.

 

[Nick617]

IO reef crystals

 

[kalare]

There are plenty of people that have giant colonies that have used IO, I've used it myself for over 20 years.

 

[Big E]

There are plenty of people that have giant colonies that have used IO, I've used it myself for over 20 years.

Same here, I've used standard IO for over 20 years. My tanks are dominant acropora systems.
I've got some corals I've grown out to large colonies..........moved them out because of size, kept a small frag and grew out to large colonies again.

Here's a group shot of some acros and many more pics can be seen at my tank thread link.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/big-e-rimless-80g-sps.206607/page-7

Group shot 101717 by Big E 52, on Flickr

 

[Rakie]

If only IO were still $40 for a 200g box on Amazon!

 

[Legal Reefer]

Look at my thread over in the large aquarium forum, all the large colonies were grown in IO. Have used nothing else in the last 10 years. If the impetus for your question is that IO somehow performs less well than the higher prices salt mixes, this is clearly false. I do use a calcium reactor to replenish.

Very impressive. So you are using the standard IO and not reef crystals? Your tank definatly proves to me that you can have great results using IO. I understand the salt is only part of it. You obviously know what your doing. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Waters]

For what it is worth, any salt can produce impressive growth and color. It is all about the parameters that you want to keep and dosing to keep them there. The salt just provides a starting point.....you adjust from there.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I only used normal IO for 20 years. You can find tons of great tank pictures in tank of the month archives at various sites.

I don't claim to keep the best tank, but here are some photos of my tank at a couple of points in time. It was different than most folks who like more blue lighting and who like SPS a lot more than I do.

 

[jd371]

I have been using regular IO for the two and half years my tank has been running. The Alk is always spot on where I like it and only have raise the Mg and Ca a little when doing a wc.

This is the most current picture of the tank. Moved some stuff around and added a few things as well.

 

[ca1ore]

BTW, if you are gong to dose (whether 2/3 part, CaRx, etc.), a premium salt is $ wasted IME. There will always be folks that are loyal to one or the other, but it's rarely a 'data driven' choice - usually anecdotal or emotional. Too many folks with superb tanks on IO for there to be any doubt that it works well.

 

[ca1ore]

Very impressive. So you are using the standard IO and not reef crystals? Your tank definatly proves to me that you can have great results using IO. I understand the salt is only part of it. You obviously know what your doing. Thanks for sharing.

Yes, regular IO. The earlier point about the salt being a starting point and then get to your optimal levels by dosing is exactly correct.

 

[Hunter1036]

i* also use only IO