Salt Mix - "I Fear Change"
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watdachuck
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Here are my test results from using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals over the last 9 months. I only started dosing Kalkwasser in January when I saw the first large drop in Ca. Water changes are 15% total water volume weekly and consistent using RODI water (Salinity 1.025). I have yet to encounter any issues with Nitrates, Phosphates etc. and all the other parameters have been in a good range. Still not 100% where the small spikes in Cu are coming from.
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redfishbluefish
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What hasn't been discussed yet is a mix of salt mixes. IO is good, but needs supplementation for a stony coral reef tank.
I've mixed Micro-Lift and IO (half-half) for a few years which gives just the right levels that I prefer for my reef tank. Only have to use Kalkwasser in my ATO to maintain the cal/alk levels.
I've mixed Micro-Lift and IO (half-half) for a few years which gives just the right levels that I prefer for my reef tank. Only have to use Kalkwasser in my ATO to maintain the cal/alk levels.
xthunderx
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One of my reefer buds tank uses nothing but IO salt, TOTM with amazing colors and growth. I followed his lead and my corals have are colored up and growing. IO works well in my opinion.
ionix
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I use IO reef crystals and the reg stuff. I have a usual ratio of 1 reef crystal to every 3 reg. crystal. cups.
Frankly it doesn't really matter in my case, unless you're going to a lesser quality crystal (do your research). Generally speaking, I have tried many brands just to fortify the regular (mostly when its on sale).
Frankly it doesn't really matter in my case, unless you're going to a lesser quality crystal (do your research). Generally speaking, I have tried many brands just to fortify the regular (mostly when its on sale).
jservedio
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^ This. This is why I went back to IO as opposed to Reef Crystals in my acro tank. I keep my parameters very close to what IO is at and I am dosing so much Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium that the "boost" from Reef Crystals is completely useless and would just cause parameter swings. When I do a WC with IO, my Alk, Ca, and Mg remain perfectly flat and this is exactly what I want.
In an SPS dominated tank, you aren't doing water changes to replenish the major ions since you are dosing or using a CaRx to replenish them. In a dosed/CaRx SPS tank, why would you ever want to use a salt that causes your parameters to fluctuate? I don't know about others, but my tank is at the point where even very large daily water changes wouldn't be able to keep up with demand - and I don't really have any big colonies yet - I can't imagine how much I am going to go through when things really get big.
Daniel@R2R
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This is a really good thread! I use RC bc it's inexpensive and has given good results in my tank. I agree with those who said a few posts back, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." 
mcarroll
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Food is a very likely source. Good to remember it's a crucial element...like many, it is only toxic in overdose.
Possible those bumps are also in the range of accuracy of your kit? (Looked like small bumps vs spikes.)
-Matt
GlassMunky
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I've used I/O, Reef Crystals, Red Sea Coral Pro, and Kent.
my tanks defiantly liked the RSCP and the Kent more than I/O or RC. I currently use Kent over the RSCP mainly because of cost.
my tanks defiantly liked the RSCP and the Kent more than I/O or RC. I currently use Kent over the RSCP mainly because of cost.
Thales
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Why change at all? If what you are using is giving you good results, why bother changing?
That said, IMO the most important thing about salt mix is availability. If you need some in a pinch, can you get the brand you use?
That said, IMO the most important thing about salt mix is availability. If you need some in a pinch, can you get the brand you use?
Lee_is_007
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I have used Instant Ocean for awhile now with good success. The problem I have with it though is its low in Mag and low in Calcium. If you have SPS or LPS over time it will drain the Mag and Calc in my experience to unhealthy levels if you don't dose and test ALL the time (I test dkh every day btw). Almost all the SPS tanks I have seen that look AMAZING use Reef Crystals so I decided to give a shot. I just made my first batch of RC at 1.026 and I got a dkh of 11 calc at 450 and mag and 1390 (much better for me). I like to keep my dkh aound 8 to 8.5 and when I do my regular water change it doesn't spike the tank alk/dkh much at all. Anyways, I hope this remedies my low Mag and Calcium issues. Now I just have to wait and see...
jt17
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I used to see Red Sea Coral Pro. I switched bc of the residue it leaves behind was building up in liter meter lines and throwing off my calibration. So I switched to ESV salt. Very happy with the results. Not only is the mixing tank still perfectly clean but I can control what the alkinity of the mixed water will be. It's a little more money and more effort to mix 4 parts instead of 1 but I think its worth it for my system. I also like how quickly it mixes as well. In case of an emergency I can mix up a batch in under 10 minutes and it's ready to use.
CoralReefDoc
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Mixing the two specific salts, Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals, produces the most ideal salt mix availabale at a decent price point ...
It allows myself to custom tailor the elemental values, to specific preferences, by simply blending different percentages of each. Not to mention, blending salt mixes should, ideally, be how a reef hobbyist practices changing salts after long-term usage.
Now, with that said, I do not suggest using the above recommendation if you're not familiar with Reef Chemistry principles as you can unfavorably skew ionic balances when incorporating certain salt mixes ... i.e. the important relationship between MgSO4 & MgCl2
It allows myself to custom tailor the elemental values, to specific preferences, by simply blending different percentages of each. Not to mention, blending salt mixes should, ideally, be how a reef hobbyist practices changing salts after long-term usage.
Now, with that said, I do not suggest using the above recommendation if you're not familiar with Reef Chemistry principles as you can unfavorably skew ionic balances when incorporating certain salt mixes ... i.e. the important relationship between MgSO4 & MgCl2
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