How is Instant Ocean's salt?

[mark]

Figure supplementing IO is probably going to be less than $5.00 a pail and might take an extra 10 minutes when making the water up, but think lesson learned no matter what salt mix, is to measure before putting in tank.

(maybe also justifying to myself the 5 pails of IO I still have)

[Myka]

What SG are you guys using??? IO Mg is right on target from my measurements using Salifert test kits.

I also find it's cheaper to buff up the Calcium on my waterchange water than it is to buy more expensive salt.

[eWarren]

I have fish tank and Instant Ocean works fine for me before. But now, since I am starting to get into coral side, and I seems have some trouble with ca and mg's level, so that's why I am checking to see if IO is good enough salt or if everyone else is using others.

[mark]

Originally Posted by Myka

What SG are you guys using??? IO Mg is right on target from my measurements using Salifert test kits.

SG 1.025

Using ELOS and Salifert for Ca, ELOS for Mg, Salifert for Alk.

[fkshiu]

There are thousands upon thousands of home reefs that use IO including my own despite it being a bit low on Ca and sometimes Mg. I may try another salt one day, but IO is usually the cheapest and the most plentiful.

[littlesilvermax]

IO for 6 years. I get incredible growth.

I supplement my salt with some magnesium and calcium, costs about $4 per pail.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Myka

What SG are you guys using??? IO Mg is right on target from my measurements using Salifert test kits.

I also find it's cheaper to buff up the Calcium on my waterchange water than it is to buy more expensive salt.

If you are getting the numbers you posted above from IO you must have a special batch.

While I do think IO is one of thebetter salts it is horably low in Mg like any other salt as Mg is an expensive additive. If you start a tank with it after a week check the MG and adjust it up to about 1350 to 1400ppm. This will also cause your Ca to raise if it is being supressed by low Mg.

I wouldn't worry about raising a 390 Ca level as that is about as perfect as you can get.

Steve

[Doug]

I do the same as Ben. Between the IO and the mag. & calcium, its still cheaper than most. My tank magnesium stays @ 1350 ppm and no precipitate in the mixing bucket.

As long as I can purchased those additives for a decent price and the salt for similar, thats what I will stick with.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

If you are getting the numbers you posted above from IO you must have a special batch.

While I do think IO is one of thebetter salts it is horably low in Mg like any other salt as Mg is an expensive additive. If you start a tank with it after a week check the MG and adjust it up to about 1350 to 1400ppm. This will also cause your Ca to raise if it is being supressed by low Mg.

I wouldn't worry about raising a 390 Ca level as that is about as perfect as you can get.

Steve

I'll test my IO next time I test my tank (hmm...I never do that anymore lol). But now I am interested since everyone seems to have such different readings than me. When I was testing my tank regularly the Mg was staying ~1380 ppm just with waterchanges. I like to keep my Calcium over 400 ppm so I do bump it up a bit. I aim for ~420 ppm. Alkalinity is always bouncing around between 7-12 dkh. I haven't been able to get it overly steady.