Salt Levels
 

I was just testing my tank water and my levels are low. Now they have never been what they are supposed to be but these are lower then before. I am using instant ocean and just wanted to know if people think I should get another bucket of salt. I have about a third left in the current bucket. (Salifert Tests)

cal 290
mg 990
Kh 7

If thats what its testing at freshly made, I wouldnt be using that salt thats for sure. But I don't use instant ocean to start with.

That was tank water. I just tested a fresh batch of water with the following results:

Cal 300
Kh 8.9
Mg 990

How old are your test kits ? I am not sure that io levels are out of pail but 990 seems lower than what they would aim for.

How big is your tank, what's in it for corals. I take it your not supplementing your levels.

Test kits are brand new. Tank is 54g. Not supplementing levels. As for corals I have zoas/palys, hammer, torch, and frogspawn.

How often are you doing water changes? I would do something different either supplement levels or change salt brands. I personally never cared for instant ocean in my reefs but more my opinion lots use it with great success. But you will want to aim for 7-12 kh 390-430 ca and 1300 mg if you can keep your levels around there you'll save/ prevent future problems. Raise them up slowly to not shock anything.

I do 5g water changes once a week. I think I will toss the rest of this salt and buy H2Ocean then. I don't want to have to supplement my levels. Off to J&L tomorrow I guess.

So are you using Instant Ocean or Instant Ocean Reef Crystals?

Regular IO levels are lower then IORC, I have only used IORC in my reef tanks and the last batch levels where pretty decent, Cal 400, Mag 1380 and Alk 8.

Just using regular instant ocean salt.

Just my opinion for what its worth, being that you have a small tank it might work out cheaper to use IORC and supplement the small amounts of Cal & Mag required.