Salt Mix - "I Fear Change"

[watdachuck]

For the last 15 years in the hobby I have always used Instant Ocean. The closest thing to me changing salt mixes was when Instant Ocean introduced Reef Crystals which seemed like a no brainer since I was keeping stony corals. I no doubt have a fear of trying new salt mixes but am growing more and more curious if another brand might be beneficial for my set up type.

I have heard stories of people who changed mixes and claimed it was the ultimate reason why a system failed. I have also heard some change and say it was the best decision they ever made.

I am most curious to hear who has tried multiple salt brands, and what they believe is the best based on their set up?

 

[smpolyp]

watdachuck there are reasons people fail with salt changes. They are more often than not just due to a major ionic difference in chemistry.We have all be taught to acclimate our fish when we first get them. And the reason is the chemistry difference from the water they are in to your tank. Not always so different but can be. Many have said just match the salinity temp and go. I say match temp, salinity, alk, magnesium and calcium. I'll stop here. So let me back up a bit. Test your tank. Test your newly made salt. Adjust your newly made salt to your tank. Some salts need calcium, some need alk additions, most need magnesium and one of the previous to get the numbers we like. The proof is in the pudding.

 

[falconut]

I started with Oceanic about 10 years ago. A while back I switched to Crystal Seas Marinemix, it was cheaper and my LFS always had it. I only used it for about six months, but I had to boost the supplements so much more than before. So, I switched back to Oceanic and have stayed with them ever since. When I changed, I only did like 10% water changes.

If IO has worked fine and you're having no issues, I'd keep using it. Just my opinion.

 

[NanaReefer]

Very old wise saying...if it ain't broke don't fix it Only big difference between IO & RC is the extra supplements in the RC for corals.

 

[ptd6996]

I have used just about every mix out there in the past 20 years in the Hobby. I like SeaChem's Aquavitro, however it is a little pricey. Instant Ocean is the mix I'd recommend next. GARF.org has been using it with great success for many years. I also Agree with the "don't fix it, if it's not broke" theory.

 

[Zacco]

I've been using Instant Ocean for years. It is a good salt, but the make up composistion is low with Calcium, Alk, PH, Magnesium at 1.025 ppt Remember. Instant Ocean isn't really made for reef tanks but salt water tanks which it's composition is closer to natural sea water. Unfortunately, this is not what we strive for in Reef Keeping. We need our readings to be a little higher if we want healthy corals and growth. Wanting to make a change in salt brands for a while now, I just picked up a 200 gallon bulk box of SeaChem Reef Salt. I will post my findings on it's make up composition later this week. This salt is suppose to be Phosphate and Nitrate free also according to SeaChem.

 

[ptd6996]

Oh agree there is not enough Calcium, Mag, or other trace elements in the reg Instant ocean for most reef tanks. Having said that. I've yet to find a salt mix that doesn't require dosing of something. A lot depends on your specific tank and what it is using. Good luck on your quest. I look forward to what you find out. You should post some pictures of your tank.

 

[watdachuck]

I've been using Instant Ocean for years. It is a good salt, but the make up composistion is low with Calcium, Alk, PH, Magnesium at 1.025 ppt Remember. Instant Ocean isn't really made for reef tanks but salt water tanks which it's composition is closer to natural sea water. Unfortunately, this is not what we strive for in Reef Keeping. We need our readings to be a little higher if we want healthy corals and growth. Wanting to make a change in salt brands for a while now, I just picked up a 200 gallon bulk box of SeaChem Reef Salt. I will post my findings on it's make up composition later this week. This salt is suppose to be Phosphate and Nitrate free also according to SeaChem.

I agree with you about what we strive for in Reef tanks, but almost all of us are constantly replenishing those elements anyway. I feel like it might make sense to set the baseline with a salt that closely mirrors natural seawater and maintain or boost current dosing...i.e. IO over IO (Reef Crystals)

Interesting Link:
http://www.rudyv.be/Aquarium/sels.pdf (Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology) "Elemental Composition of Commercial Sea Salts"

 

[redfishbluefish]

I agree with you about what we strive for in Reef tanks, but almost all of us are constantly replenishing those elements anyway. I feel like it might make sense to set the baseline with a salt that closely mirrors natural seawater and maintain or boost current dosing...i.e. IO over IO (Reef Crystals)

Thank you Chuck!!! A big +1.


This is exactly what I do......Instant Ocean....the numbers most closely match ocean water. I then dose 21 times a week to maintain alk and calc. Since I'm running biopelets, Instant Ocean numbers are closer to were I want to be. I don't understand using the "Monster" salts to rip the alk and calc numbers up there for a day or so, just to let them come down to were I want them. I felt this yo-yo would not be good for the corals. My tank numbers are more constant, and everything is growing like a weed.

 

[ptd6996]

Well said Chuck and RedfishBluefish.
Consistency and slow changes seem to be the key to a successful tank. I've seen some very good looking tanks that use very different theories on water parameters. Find what works for you and be as consistent as possible.

 

[TJ's Reef]

Nice informative and positive posts above and fully agree on keeping it consistent no matter the brand. I have successfully used I/O for the better part of 32 years in Reefkeeping plus a few more in 'Old School' Marine Tanks before that. By knowing intimately what your I/O Salt mix consists of from years of use its very easy and cost effective to adjust to appropriate levels. I reached the comfort point to where I almost did not need to measure/test my salt batches on weekly 15g WC's, 8 slightly rounded cups of I/O, 1 rounded teaspoon of Calcium Hydroxide (Kalkwasser) and a squirt of Tech-M = Tablespoon +.
For my I have purchased Reef Crystals a few times when on sale and made some adjustments for and recently decided to give SeaChem Reef another go and purchased a 200g box. I will carefully transition over and give it at least a year before I really evaluate the difference if any. I spoke with the SeaChem guys in detail at a MAX show a few years ago and tried a 160g bucket out to start my current 125g system with and was pleased with results. I tested my first/latest batch and shows very good numbers plus mixing true to 1.026 S.G. PH = 8.3, Cal = 490-ish, Alk = 4.5 dkh, Mg = just shy of 1400. The biggest challenge will be to adjust my Doser to a new Salt now.... maybe.

Cheers, Todd

 

[ptd6996]

Good information thanks

 

[b_rad_G]

I use io and will probably continue for a long time!

My problem with other salts is they boost the alk and ca to a level above what I keep my tank at. With io All I need to do is add I think its 3 teaspoon of reef complete and a dash of mag supplement. I get around 8.7 dkh 410-420 can and 1300 mg.

With most other salt the alk would be 10-14 dkh out of the box. Anyone care to do the math on a 25% change from 8.5 dkh? Its to early for math but that equals a pretty good alk spike. Why do I wanna pay more for an alk spike?

 

[DSP]

I always used reef crystals and finally switched over to instant ocean because Reef crystals has to high of alkalinity, It's way easier keeping my calc and alk stable using instant ocean and my tank has never done as good as it has since I switched.

 

[ptd6996]

I have ran into the same problems with other salt mixes. As long as you know what your tank is using its easy to replace without doing a lot of water changes.

 

[DSP]

I use io and will probably continue for a long time!

My problem with other salts is they boost the alk and ca to a level above what I keep my tank at. With io All I need to do is add I think its 3 teaspoon of reef complete and a dash of mag supplement. I get around 8.7 dkh 410-420 can and 1300 mg.

With most other salt the alk would be 10-14 dkh out of the box. Anyone care to do the math on a 25% change from 8.5 dkh? Its to early for math but that equals a pretty good alk spike. Why do I wanna pay more for an alk spike?

+1 totally agree,

 

[saltgeek88]

I used IO up until about 6 months ago and since then Ive been slowly changing over to Neomarine by Brightwell. I do 2 20 Gallon water changes a month i just about completely switched over now. My corals are much happier and seem to have better growth now. Changing slow is the key in my opinion.

 

[ptd6996]

Why the change saltgeek88?
Just curious?

 

[D_Reep1106]

Haha of course I read this article a week after I trade my IO 160gal bucket for IO reef crystals 160gal bucket haha timing is everything right. You've got a point with the natural IO and how the reef crystals inflates your elements only for a couple days before. swings in anything isn't good for a tank

 

[vlangel]

Haha of course I read this article a week after I trade my IO 160gal bucket for IO reef crystals 160gal bucket haha timing is everything right. You've got a point with the natural IO and how the reef crystals inflates your elements only for a couple days before. swings in anything isn't good for a tank

I was thinking about switching to reef crystals when I read this. Now I think I will just stick with IO so timing is everything! LOL