dangers switching salt brands?

alix2.0

alix2.0

Active Member
wasnt sure where to put this...
i vaugely remember reading a while back that if you switch salt brands, you may risk nuking your tank. i cannot find any info on this however. is it only if you switch between natural and synthetic salt mixes? has anyone had any problems with this? what shouldn't be switched to what?
thanks.
 
privatejoker

privatejoker

Member
Some people switch slowly by adding a 1/2 cup of the new stuff over a month or two. I just used three different types of salt in the last month. I didn't nuke the tank at all, not one thing died or change in any way. Just keep the salinty the same and the temp the same and you should have no problems. I would test a day or two after you do the water change just to make sure it does change your water chemistry. The other thing you can do is do a smaller water change the first time you use the salt.
 
debbie

debbie

Active Member
In the past i have used other brands, make sure your salinity is the same and you should be fine.
A friend of mine though, did this and totally destroyed everything in their 125 gal. I don't know what exactly they did.
Can you not get the same salt as what you are using?? Or are you just getting info about this??
I try and stay with the same kind all the time.
 
perfectdark

perfectdark

Active Member
You will be fine... small changes over time to compensate for any trace element deficiencies or overages from one brand to the other will buffer any shock to your system. As always test your water before and after to make sure nothing is soaring off the charts. It is regularly done but emphasis on a slow change for the above reasons is important.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
i changed over immediately from reef crystals to oceanic, and i didn't have any issues. 20% a week(a water change) is not going to alter the tank enough to worry about it.
 
salty blues

salty blues

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2670552
i changed over immediately from reef crystals to oceanic, and i didn't have any issues. 20% a week(a water change) is not going to alter the tank enough to worry about it.
I am thinking about switching from IO to --. Why did you switch to Oceanic?
 
nano reefer

nano reefer

Active Member
when i switched o got great results. switched from Instant ocean to oceanic. my params have been beter, so i guess it was only good!
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
Originally Posted by salty blues
http:///forum/post/2670679
I am thinking about switching from IO to --. Why did you switch to Oceanic?
a much higher calcium level, plus, both instant ocean and reef crystals left the brown gunk in the mixing barrel. the oceanic, is much cleaner. you can even tell just by looking at it when you open the lid. also, it's the same price as -- and there is more in the oceanic bucket (200 gallons vs --'s 160).
 
perfectdark

perfectdark

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2671364
a much higher calcium level, plus, both instant ocean and reef crystals left the brown gunk in the mixing barrel. the oceanic, is much cleaner. you can even tell just by looking at it when you open the lid. also, it's the same price as -- and there is more in the oceanic bucket (200 gallons vs --'s 160).
+++10
I have been using Oceanic for a year now and I love it.
I bought my bucket for $35.00 LFS had a sale on them..
 
aquaguy24

aquaguy24

Active Member
Originally Posted by PerfectDark
http:///forum/post/2671486
+++10
I have been using Oceanic for a year now and I love it.
I bought my bucket for $35.00 LFS had a sale on them..

a bucket for $35..i get the 90g container for $26..u got a good deal...they don't sell the buckets at my lfs..or everytime i go they are sold out...
 
perfectdark

perfectdark

Active Member
Originally Posted by aquaguy24
http:///forum/post/2671494
a bucket for $35..i get the 90g container for $26..u got a good deal...they don't sell the buckets at my lfs..or everytime i go they are sold out...
Really? every time I buy mine I get 200Gal worth of salt and a sweet 5gal bucket with a snap on lid. I have soooo many right now.. I think 8 of them.. LOL.
 
salty blues

salty blues

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2671364
a much higher calcium level, plus, both instant ocean and reef crystals left the brown gunk in the mixing barrel. the oceanic, is much cleaner. you can even tell just by looking at it when you open the lid. also, it's the same price as -- and there is more in the oceanic bucket (200 gallons vs --'s 160).
Yes, I have noticed that residue too in my storage tank. I think I will go with Oceanic. Thanks for the tip!
 
iyachtuxivm

iyachtuxivm

Member
I switched fro IO to -- no problems. I have no brown gunk either. I mix 15 gal at a time it sits for two weeks at a time then I usually mix in another 10 gal. No gunk great params. The one thing I did notice is the -- smells different in the bucket smells kinda like vitamins. I took this as a good thing!
 
gnorman

gnorman

Active Member
As said before, I would introduce the new salt slowly with your old salt. Also, once you switch, do a few smaller changes more frequently and then go back to your regular schedule. I just began making sw and I am using TM. I like TM a lot and I never have any remaining mix in my trash can.
 
metweezer

metweezer

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2670552
i changed over immediately from reef crystals to oceanic, and i didn't have any issues. 20% a week(a water change) is not going to alter the tank enough to worry about it.
Mr X,
What are your magnesium levels at using Oceanic? I have seen test results from another site saying Oceanic salt delivers 1600 magnesium. Isn't that way high?
 
metweezer

metweezer

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2675402
i'm getting about 1150.
Isn't that low? Shouldn't it be 1350 or higher? I just tested mine with salifert and the color never changed to blue or grey. So I guess mine is over 1500. This is bad, right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top