Which Salt is the best?

[madweazl]

And I assume that messes up the salt? A brand new 5 gallon bucket I mixed had either a 1.019 or at best 1.02 salinitly level depending on which tool I used.

I'm not understanding what you're meaning when you say a bucket mixed up at 1.019 or 1.020? It mixes up to whatever salinity/Sg you want based on how much you add to the water. With that said, if it had clumps, the bag (bucket?) seal was broken and air/moisture were allowed in. I'd exchange that for another container.

 

[jaxteller007]

I'm not understanding what you're meaning when you say a bucket mixed up at 1.019 or 1.020? It mixes up to whatever salinity/Sg you want based on how much you add to the water. With that said, if it had clumps, the bag (bucket?) seal was broken and air/moisture were allowed in. I'd exchange that for another container.

I mixed a 5 gal bucket of fresh RO/DI according to the IO instructions (1/2 cup per gallon) which according to the bag should have given a level of 1.026. I tried a refractometer, one of the floating thermometer/salinity measuring devices and my apex salinity probe and the highest it measured was 1.02 (with the floating device). The refractometer showed just under 1.02 and the apex shows 1.019

I'd rather not go into the store right now (no one in our area is taking social distancing seriously). It was a small bag so I'm fine just eating the cost for now but definitely need to get a fresh bag of something.

 

[jaxteller007]

That is unless I'm reading the instructions completely wrong and it's not a 1/2 cup using a standard scoop and I'm supposed to be measuring it using something else, which is possible, I'm not the world's best at knowing which measuring device to use lol.

 

[jcolliii]

I'm not understanding the issue I guess. Just add a little bit more salt. I'm not sure what the concern is about that 0.005 kg/l of salt... that's 94.5 grams per 5 one-half cup scoops. That could easily have been due to measuring out the half cup scoops or to there being more than exactly 5 gallons in the bucket.

I've only ever used IO. Sometimes it clumps toward the end of a bucket due to humidity. Never an issue for me. But I test my water with a refractometer before it goes in.

 

[120reefkeeper]

I’ve been using Aquaforest for several years... fantastic salt! All of the other products they make are also excellent!

 

[Matt1997]

Red Sea coral pro. I usually do the initial fill and first few months using the cheapest salt possible.

 

[jaxteller007]

I'm not understanding the issue I guess. Just add a little bit more salt. I'm not sure what the concern is about that 0.005 kg/l of salt... that's 94.5 grams per 5 one-half cup scoops. That could easily have been due to measuring out the half cup scoops or to there being more than exactly 5 gallons in the bucket.

I've only ever used IO. Sometimes it clumps toward the end of a bucket due to humidity. Never an issue for me. But I test my water with a refractometer before it goes in.

I'd just like to be able to use the measurements off their bag and not rely on my less than stellar math and conversion skills to make up the shortage lol.

This all started because the triton test said my sodium was dangerously low. So I tested salinity in the tank 3 different ways and they all said I was low to the point that I should (in my opinion at least) have or start to have issues with the livestock.

 

[jaxteller007]

we also have someone that normally comes and helps us once a month and can bring pre mixed and measured saltwater. But with quarantine and all thats not really an option right now. So this more for an in case of emergency measure or if we all go under quarantine again.

 

[Mmcghee102485]

I use Red Sea coral pro and really like the results.

 

[madweazl]

I'd just like to be able to use the measurements off their bag and not rely on my less than stellar math and conversion skills to make up the shortage lol.

This all started because the triton test said my sodium was dangerously low. So I tested salinity in the tank 3 different ways and they all said I was low to the point that I should (in my opinion at least) have or start to have issues with the livestock.

You have to continue adding salt until the desired salinity is reached. This is true of all salt mixes; the instructions are a guide to get you close. If I remember right, the instructions on Instant Ocean are to get you to 1.023 but they may have updated that. Just add more slowly until you reach 1.0264 (or whatever your target is).

 

[jcolliii]

we also have someone that normally comes and helps us once a month and can bring pre mixed and measured saltwater. But with quarantine and all thats not really an option right now. So this more for an in case of emergency measure or if we all go under quarantine again.

So you didn't test the salt water for the proper salinity before adding to your tank?

 

[jaxteller007]

So you didn't test the salt water for the proper salinity before adding to your tank?

I never saw the need to before and all the livestock is acting fine. I just followed the instructions on the bag and assumed it would be the correct parameters. Yes I realize that's a mistake and I won't be doing it again.

 

[jaxteller007]

You have to continue adding salt until the desired salinity is reached. This is true of all salt mixes; the instructions are a guide to get you close. If I remember right, the instructions on Instant Ocean are to get you to 1.023 but they may have updated that. Just add more slowly until you reach 1.0264 (or whatever your target is).

Yea I just made the incorrect assumption that if i followed the instructions it would be correct. I apparently got a very bad batch and won't make the mistake of adding it without checking again.

 

[jcolliii]

But the instructions say to check salinity and adjust accordingly. Anyhow - next time I mix some up, I'll use exactly one gallon of water by weight and one half cup IO and see what I get. I'm curious now.

1. Mix Instant Ocean® with ordinary dechlorinated tap or purified water.
NOTE: To prepare small quantities, use 1/2 cup of Instant Ocean per each U.S. gallon of water. Mix as directed.

2. Stir vigorously to ensure a good mix. Although the Instant Ocean solution may be used immediately, we suggest aerating the water until it achieves oxygen/carbon dioxide equilibrium.
3. Measure specific gravity with an Instant Ocean® Hydrometer.

Recommended Specific Gravity Range: 1.020 - 1.024 at 77°F.
NOTE: 1.5 lbs of Instant Ocean is formulated to create 5 gallons of saltwater at a specific gravity of 1.022.

4. Adjust salt level accordingly. If specific gravity is too low, add more Instant Ocean. lf too high, add more dechlorinated water.
5. Change 20% of aquarium water every two weeks to maintain optimum water quality.

 

[madweazl]

Yea I just made the incorrect assumption that if i followed the instructions it would be correct. I apparently got a very bad batch and won't make the mistake of adding it without checking again.

It isn't a bad batch, you just need to add more salt. Again, this will be the case for any manufacturer.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I mixed a 5 gal bucket of fresh RO/DI according to the IO instructions (1/2 cup per gallon) which according to the bag should have given a level of 1.026. I tried a refractometer, one of the floating thermometer/salinity measuring devices and my apex salinity probe and the highest it measured was 1.02 (with the floating device). The refractometer showed just under 1.02 and the apex shows 1.019

I'd rather not go into the store right now (no one in our area is taking social distancing seriously). It was a small bag so I'm fine just eating the cost for now but definitely need to get a fresh bag of something.

Does the bag really say 1.026 is what you get from that specific mixing? 1.026 isn't even in their recommended range (useless as it is).

The web site seems to suggest it will be lower:

Sea Salt for Aquariums from Instant Ocean®

Shop Instant Ocean for only the best aquarium sea salt mixture for your marine tank!

www.instantocean.com

1. Mix Instant Ocean® with ordinary dechlorinated tap or purified water.
NOTE: To prepare small quantities, use 1/2 cup of Instant Ocean per each U.S. gallon of water. Mix as directed.

2. Stir vigorously to ensure a good mix. Although the Instant Ocean solution may be used immediately, we suggest aerating the water until it achieves oxygen/carbon dioxide equilibrium.
3. Measure specific gravity with an Instant Ocean® Hydrometer.

Recommended Specific Gravity Range: 1.020 - 1.024 at 77°F.
NOTE: 1.5 lbs of Instant Ocean is formulated to create 5 gallons of saltwater at a specific gravity of 1.022.

4. Adjust salt level accordingly. If specific gravity is too low, add more Instant Ocean. lf too high, add more dechlorinated water.
5. Change 20% of aquarium water every two weeks to maintain optimum water quality.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yea I just made the incorrect assumption that if i followed the instructions it would be correct. I apparently got a very bad batch and won't make the mistake of adding it without checking again.

lol

The salt isn't bad.

 

[jaxteller007]

lol

The salt isn't bad.

How else would it mix so low after following their instructions word for word? And its not like it would be the first bad bad of salt someone got....

 

[jaxteller007]

I missed the number its 1.021 on the bag. It still was at a high of .019 after adding more to it. Lesson learned, I'll measure it before adding in the future. And if a bag is clumped up, I won't be buying it.

 

[jda]

I would not trust a swing-arm for anything. I have been using IO since about 1992 - went to a few other brands for short times and always went back. The stuff is as solid as it gets.

Any brand will clump up if it sits long enough. I use the IO fast, get it delivered to me and the stuff is still granular. I have purchased a pallet a few times before and it will get somewhat solid after a year or two, but it still mixes fine.