Salt Levels

[BlueTang<3]

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.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by BlueTang<3

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.

[The Grizz]

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.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

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.

[The Grizz]

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.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

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.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I am going to give H2Ocean a try, if it meets its listed levels it should be all I will need. I am not sure who sells reef crystals in Vancouver.

I will be sure to check fresh made water levels before I add it this time.

[Wretch]

Just a little update. I changed salt to h2ocean and my levels are slowly getting to normal. Just tested a fresh batch of water results as follow:

410 cal
10.2 kh
1230 mg

[schultz]

Have you mixed up your salt, smaller particles and supplements will fall to the bottom. Just a thought!!

[Myka]

I would suggest that if you don't want to mess around with dosing yet that you switch to a more reef-suitable salt. H2Ocean is affordable, yet very good right out of the bucket. It's a tad low in magnesium, but it's passable. If you want to stick with the Instant Ocean you can buy a tub of calcium and magnesium and add those to the freshly mixed saltwater before adding it to your tank. I used to do this, and if I recall correctly, I used to add 80 mL dry calcium carbonate and 180 mL dry magnesium chloride to 15 gallons of freshly mixed saltwater to get the numbers to come out correct.

EDIT: I didn't read the second page before posting. Good to hear the H2Ocean is working out for you!

[Aquattro]

In talking to IO directly, they state the Ca should test out between 350 and 420. I've rarely had it 420, but once in a while over 400. Usually 370ish.