Instant ocean vs. Cristal Sea Marinemix

barracuda

barracuda

Active Member
Hello all,
Which salt is better in your oppinion:Instant Ocean or Cristal Sea Marinemix? As i see Instant Ocean disolves better and faster in water. As i was told in LFS, Cristal Sea has better compounds or in other words better combination of elements. Maybe it is, but it takes a lot of time to get it desolved properly.
Other question: Is it a must to airate water before using it for water replacement?
<img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />
 
richard rendos

richard rendos

Active Member
I used to use Instant Ocean, but have been using Crystal Sea for about 6 months now. Have not seen any change in tank since changing over. Crystal Sea was a lot cheaper too.
Instant Ocean 50 gallon mix - $18.99
Crystal Sea 50 gallon mix - $12.99
 
chris l

chris l

Member
I use instant ocean and will prob. continue to use it unless I hear bad things about it. I only pay 36.00 for a 200 gallon bucket.
 
byrself

byrself

Member
instant ocean is a big reason why your tank ends up with the brown alegae all over the glass <hr></blockquote>
i have to disagree with that. i really have never had brown algae probs since i stopped using tap water. i do get some green algae sometimes but the snails take care of that. i think instant ocean is the tried and true favorite but i haven't really used others. of course, i haven't added any to my tank in a while, i've been only adding supplements and top offs.
as far as the aeration question, it is best to circulate the make up water with a powerhead for at least a few hours. i try to wait a day or two before i use it. hth ;)
 
byrself

byrself

Member
i never tried it but i thought of switching from instant ocean to reef crystals. i don't see the need to, but i like the idea of it. :)
 
fshhub

fshhub

Active Member
FYI, the reply about the algae, yes there was some instant ocean that supposedly wound up with phosphates in it, which could have caused it, but i personally have not had a problem, and still use IO, maybe they corrected the problem,
as for reef crystals, it is the same as IO with some extra elements(same maker and all) which i prefer to maintain myself, b/c it is even cheaper and easier to do so IMO
and IMO, i just got my boss to swith from marine mix to IO, and they like it better(as do i) for our store display tanks(computer store not lfs)
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
I prefer instant ocean(care to support the algae issue?)....never been a problem in my systems.
I'd suggest the water be well circulated and airated prior to use....I circulate mine for 24-48 hours and insure the temp & ph is stable at the same levels as my system prior to doing a water change. :cool:
 
B

b.b.bigbrother

Guest
I've come to the conclusion that it's your preference as long as you do'nt use some unknown brand without much research. I use coralife and some people hate it but it's what i've used my naxt purchase will be what i can get at better a price I/O,CL,-- "MORE FOR MY DOLLAR" nobodys found real evidence that one is better than the other just personal opinions. do what you feels best, experiment let us know your opinion. :D
 
wamp

wamp

Active Member
Salt is Salt to me... I just use what the fish store has...
Some argue good and bad points but there are 2 sides to every coin and my coins always land on the edge :)
 
demosthenes

demosthenes

Active Member
I use IO just because that's what the guy at a LFS got for me as I was getting my original setup. I've never seen the need to switch, and I think that you should stay with what works for you.
 
ky

ky

Member
I agree with Wamp. I generally use Instant Ocean, but if I go to the store and something else is on sale, I buy it. I have never had a problem with any brand. Brown algae from Instant Ocean? Those are the kind of unsupported statements that lead people astray.
 
susiepan

susiepan

Member
Heres my 2 cents...I use Coral Reef Red Sea Salt Fish PHarm..I tried IO, and my PH was not as good after using it, as it is with Red Sea...It does take awhile to disolve, but what I do is set up a bucket, 1-2 days prior, and but a powerhead on it, and just the tubing fom an air hose,,to get lots of a good amount of circulation and air in the water...If it should be to cold from sitting in the bucket, we fill our distilled water bottles with the salt mixture, and stick them capped in the sink or tub with hot water till the temp adjust to where it should be,,,
Ta Daaaaaaaa
~Susie
;)
 
broomer5

broomer5

Active Member
For those that are interested:
<a href="http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp" target="_blank">http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp</a>
 
dogstar

dogstar

Active Member
I remember seeing a test that Dr. Ron Shimek ( I think ) did by putting so many of some kind of larve in the sample tanks of different mixes and IO had the least survival count of the larve after a sertain amount of time. If I remember right, the IO larve died almost instantly while the others lasted quite a while.
 
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