Switching salt...
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Jay Hemdal
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Fish Medic
Are you using IO or Reef Crystals? I changed to Omega Reef and found it is more anhydrous and mixes cleaner. I’ve haven’t used Fritz for a long time, so I can’t speak to that brand.
Jay
Jay
Dr. Dendrostein
Marine fish monthly
Ive used the Fritz's blue box salt. No issues. Corals I aquaculture very sensitive. I now use Red Sea Pro. Because vendor I buy ,carries it. For me to get Fritz's blue box, not economically feasible.
It is not the salt. Look elsewhere.
All of that said, Instant Ocean is better than all salts except for maybe Tropic Marin, IMO.
All of that said, Instant Ocean is better than all salts except for maybe Tropic Marin, IMO.
JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
I agree with @jda. Are you testing your salt mix parameters before water changes? I dont know what you keep you parameters at but if your mix is far off then that can stress your corals.
This is the reason for me to make the switch from Instant Ocean Reef Crystal's to Tropic Marin Pro Reef. I like to keep my ALK around 8 and Tropic Marin mixes up near 8 everytime. Reef Crystal's mixed around 10dkh which was causing issues with larger water changes.
This is the reason for me to make the switch from Instant Ocean Reef Crystal's to Tropic Marin Pro Reef. I like to keep my ALK around 8 and Tropic Marin mixes up near 8 everytime. Reef Crystal's mixed around 10dkh which was causing issues with larger water changes.
Most people make a salt transition like this...
1). Whatever salt the LFS or a buddy uses when starting up
2). Most consistent salt out there
3). Wants a salt with parameters to match tank
4). Back to most consistent salt and just doctors the mix to meet their own parameters
I add muriatic acid to my IO to lower the alk and also add some dowflake. This is easier and safer for me than dealing with salt that is inconsistent over the year. It is cheaper than buying Tropic Marin and easier to get IO in bulk of like 20-40 boxes at a time.
1). Whatever salt the LFS or a buddy uses when starting up
2). Most consistent salt out there
3). Wants a salt with parameters to match tank
4). Back to most consistent salt and just doctors the mix to meet their own parameters
I add muriatic acid to my IO to lower the alk and also add some dowflake. This is easier and safer for me than dealing with salt that is inconsistent over the year. It is cheaper than buying Tropic Marin and easier to get IO in bulk of like 20-40 boxes at a time.
Amado
Well-Known Member
If you are just using instant ocean then you are using the wrong salt. Instant ocean is for fish only tanks.
If you want corals you need instant ocean reef crystals.
If you can’t afford salt this might not be a good hobby for you. Since salt is the cheapest part of the hobby.
If you want corals you need instant ocean reef crystals.
If you can’t afford salt this might not be a good hobby for you. Since salt is the cheapest part of the hobby.
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Gernader
Reefing is a never-ending addiction...
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Really? Regular IO still works fine for many hobbyists, including me. My corals are happy, including SPS.
Amado
Well-Known Member
That’s awesome. But the company clearly labels the two products to do different things.
the reason why they make a product called reef crystals
Is because they feel that corals have different needs.
You probably should not believe all that you read. IO is probably the most used salt out there for reefs. it is a wonderful salt. The only difference in the two is a bit more carbonate and calcium... if you feel that you need to pay more for that, then pay extra, but you can buy a lifetime supply of baking soda and calcium chloride for $20 and do it yourself. Otherwise, there is no difference.
IO is also the most commonly used salt at commercial aquariums, even for their coral displays.
IO is also the most commonly used salt at commercial aquariums, even for their coral displays.
X-37B
Fight The Good Fight
I have used IO and would have no problem running it.
Most public aquariums run it.
I run esv-b ionic which is out of stock currently.
I got 200 gal IO this weekend and will use it if I cant get esv.
The best thing about IO is you can find it everywhere.
And no, it is not a fish only salt, lol.
Most public aquariums run it.
I run esv-b ionic which is out of stock currently.
I got 200 gal IO this weekend and will use it if I cant get esv.
The best thing about IO is you can find it everywhere.
And no, it is not a fish only salt, lol.
Amado
Well-Known Member
omg instant ocean has two different product.
1st product instanT ocean.
2nd product instant ocean REEF crystals.
Reef crystals is best for a reef tank.
you can use it for whatever you like.
But the company decided to make two products
For me it wouldn’t make sense to use just io
I would rather the higher alk and cal.
But if I had a fish only I wouldn’t pay extra for
Reef crystals.
most aquariums are fish only.They don’t have a lot of full reef setups. They might have1 or two tanks but the majority of the tanks are fish only.
like I said before if your are trying to save $20
This might not be a good hobby for you.
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stanlalee
Active Member
Instant ocean is BETTER for established reef tanks that keep their parameters closer to natural sea water (ca 400ish, dKH 7-8ish). You want your water change water to match closely to your tank water as to not throw off or disrupt your established means of maintaining calcium/alk (daily dosing, reactor, kalk). If ca is 400 before a water change you want it at 400 after the water change so your dosing needs no altering.
That elevated ca, alk and trace elements is marketed to new reefers or tanks with a few corals that think they are going to maintain acceptable ca/alk/mg with water changes. That won't last 3 months for a dedicated reefer.
With that said beyond parameters suitable or preferable to your individual tank salt brands have ZERO effect on the success of your reef. If you want to pay $70 for TropicMarin instead of $35 for reef crystals for a cleaner mixing bin go right ahead because that's the only tangible benefit you are going to get. Yes the purity may be higher, quality may be better but your tank won't notice any more than your car engine will notice you went from full synthetic Supertech to Pennzoil platinum IF you change it on time and keep up with maintenance.
That elevated ca, alk and trace elements is marketed to new reefers or tanks with a few corals that think they are going to maintain acceptable ca/alk/mg with water changes. That won't last 3 months for a dedicated reefer.
With that said beyond parameters suitable or preferable to your individual tank salt brands have ZERO effect on the success of your reef. If you want to pay $70 for TropicMarin instead of $35 for reef crystals for a cleaner mixing bin go right ahead because that's the only tangible benefit you are going to get. Yes the purity may be higher, quality may be better but your tank won't notice any more than your car engine will notice you went from full synthetic Supertech to Pennzoil platinum IF you change it on time and keep up with maintenance.
