Update on MEI's Crystal Sea
 

After reading tons of threads on RC and and staying in contact with Sam(who is also using CS), I thought that it's time to update you all on my trial of using this mix.

I was using IO in my 27gl for over five years, then switched to MEI's Crystal Sea a few months ago. After performing two 5gl water changes(1 per month), I am happy to report no ill effects :smile:

So I guess I will stick with it for now :exclaim:

I also wanted to mention my three bits:

One- that I have noticed no residue in the pail after mixing CR- I always got residue when mixing IO :smile:

Two- on a negitive note I don't like the fact that I have to use a hammer and chissel to break up my new saltmix :sad:

Three- I fragged about 30 pieces of Digitata and Gorgonian on the weekend and was happy to see that nearly all the frags have fully extended there polyps after only two days :smile: When I fragged about three months ago, it took over a week for the same corals to open up.

IMO-I think there has to be some serious long-term test before we can draw conclussions on which mix is "best". People have asked why I decided to change after using IO for so long-Well the only answer I can provide is that I want to use the most natural ASW as possible.

Sam experienced some effects, which I'm sure he will provide details in a reply on this post.

Time will tell :mrgreen:
cheers, Rich

Well, I wasn't really going to mention anything. :lol:

Can't remember now. What did I mention in my Email? I think I said that my anemones closed up for a day after the first time I did a 10% water change. I noticed the water was a bit cloudy as well. Nothing major. Some people on RC are having mixed results with their SPS and softies. I've done about 3 water changes with the new salt and everything seems great now.

Hi all, well things were going ok with my new saltmix trial until my third change, it was not so good :eek:
I did my third change with the salt yesterday and it finally happened :evil:
All my stony's completly closed up, my anemone, and some of my softies as well. I had the water mixing for 4 days in a pail with a 402 powerhead and a Optima air pump and stone cranked up before changing it. All perameters where the same:PH,Salinity,Temp,etc... I don't know why but also when I added the new water it did not disolve completley as it turned the tank cloudy. It took about two hours for everything to re-open and clear up. The Frogspawn and Montipora however took way longer-about six hours. And both my acro frags shed some serious mucus too :exclaim:

I don't know if I'm liking this new saltmix anymore :sad: When I used IO I never experienced these kind of problems. I also see that there is a growing number of people responding to the thread on RC with the same troubles. I can only guess that MEI'S refinning process is not as good, this would explain the cloudyness and also the brick like form that it came in.

I have about half a box left, so I think my trial period will only be for a few more months and then I will make my decision as to sticking with the Crystal Sea or going back to Instant Ocean.

Cheers, Rich :mrgreen: P.S. Thanks Tony :exclaim:
Here is the link to the growing thread on RC if anyone's interested:http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

Thanks for the update!

Does anyone know of any MO of local store where this salt is available?

I do notice that the water isn't as clear as the water from IO. Not a great concern to me as it clears up in a few hours.

With respect to not dissolving completely, its not much different from IO. With IO, I would mix overnight and there would still be snow in the bucket. I don't think it is salt though but something else that only dissolves over time. Probably a buffer of some sort.

I haven't noticed any extreme effects with the new salt like bleaching of my softies or anything like that. In the last change, only the bubble coral closed up for a few hours. Everything else is now use to it.

Fishter - Crystal Sea is available from Mail Order Pet Supplies http://mops.on.ca That's where I got mine from, but after one 15G water change (in a 90G tank) I won't be using it again. Within a day I noticed substancial bleaching of most of my corals (including a montipora, a plate coral and a large-polyped leather). They are gradually recovering.

Roy, I'll buy the remainder from you if you want to get rid of it. I have some problem algae I want to kill. Email or PM me if you're interested.

Hi Brad, well I have enough CS to treat about 35-40 gls.
At the next meeting I will give it to you free of charge, and you can see for yourself if you like it or not.

I have made up my mind today to stop using this salt, as I'm just not happy with the results within my reef :frown:

P.S. Brad, if you want to donate a pocillapora frag for the saltmix that would be great- as I have nearly lost both pieces due to bleaching in the last week.

cheers, Rich :mrgreen:

P.S.

No stars for you Brad...till later.. :confused:

Instilling confidence wherever she goes :biggrin:

I have some salt now Rich, but thanks for the offer. My main interest is the reports of it killing wafer algae. I'm otherwise happy using IO. And really, what am I going to do if urchins start popping up in my tank!! I guess I can send them to Ron!! :mrgreen:

I stopped using CS last month. Too many horror stories are coming out and not much success stories left. I haven't had too many bad episodes. I guess the only things of interest that happened during this time was the loss of 3 cleaner shrimps in less than a week which were then quickly consumed by my army of 4"-6" bristleworms. Still waiting for some salt tests though. However, by now, the salt formulas have probably all changed since the original tests were done in March or whenver that was.