instant ocean or reef crystals?

[iceman86]

Reef crystals is my brand, I've been looking onto h2ocean but too many mixed reviews. Plus big als has reef crystals pails for $35 right now

[fishyfishster]

Yeah can't beat the price

[Leah]

I am happy with Instant ocean too!

[mr.wilson]

Originally Posted by fishyfishster

Yeah can't beat the price

Actually you can. If you buy IO and add your own calcium chloride it will cost less than IORC and it will be closer to NSW levels.

The idea of supplementing calcium, alk, magnesium etc. through water changes only works if there is a demand/depletion and if the water changes are large and frequent. A reef tank that is 30 gallons or smaller would benefit from such a salt if weekly water changes of 10% or greater were made. A large tank with infrequent water changes would not benefit from supplementation through water changes. If you are dosing chemicals or using a Ca reactor, there is no need for a salt with level elevated beyond NSW.

H2Ocean and Tropic Marin are both closer to NSW levels than either IO product. Tropic Marin is supposed to be homogeneous, so it is better suited for people who want to use an open bucket over time without compromising quality.

[mr.wilson]

Originally Posted by iceman86

Reef crystals is my brand, I've been looking onto h2ocean but too many mixed reviews. Plus big als has reef crystals pails for $35 right now

On the subject of pails, you should only use them if you are mixing all 160 gallons at the same time to assure it is homogeneous. This is why I prefer the 200 gallon box (4 bags of 50 gallon mix). I'm also too old to be dumping 45lb buckets of salt into 6' high reservoirs

I also find that once you open a bag or bucket the salt tends to clump with humidity thus altering the salt composition.

Keep in mind, these salts are rated at 1.021sg, not 1.025, so a 50 gallon bag will render only 42 gallons of "reef" water.