snailheave
Active Member
would you all feel incrediblly silly if they told you that the only difference between the salt brands is the boxes/buckets?
Pro's and Con's of Different Salt Mixes
- Thread starter pkgrif
- Start date
jonny bolt
Member
lmao
mudplayerx
Active Member
If oceana was initially cheaper than instant ocean, I would have used it instead. I used what was the least expensive, at it has worked perfectly for over 9 months now. I doubt there is much difference in the salt mixes at all. This is just my opinion though, I have not done studies or even used more than one type of salt.
One thing I do hear repeated often though is it is a bad idea to do large water changes with a new brand of salt...the transition must be gradual.
As a college student, price is 90% of the decision-maker for me when I purchase things for the hobby. If I can save even 10% and still have a product that is average, then that is the one I buy. :joy:
One thing I do hear repeated often though is it is a bad idea to do large water changes with a new brand of salt...the transition must be gradual.
As a college student, price is 90% of the decision-maker for me when I purchase things for the hobby. If I can save even 10% and still have a product that is average, then that is the one I buy. :joy:
T
thomas712
Guest
Originally Posted by mudplayerx
If oceana was initially cheaper than instant ocean, I would have used it instead. I used what was the least expensive, and it has worked perfectly for over 9 months now. I doubt there is much difference in the salt mixes at all.
And here is my point about this, and remember this is in my case only for my tank.
Instant Ocean just isn't up to many reef tank standards, if it were why do they then make Reef Crystals?
With instant ocean I always had to use additives to dose to bring things up to reef standards even with using kalkwasser, thus I had to spend more money on these additives. These included alkalinity, calcium and magnesium.
By using what I consider to be a better salt mix (Oceanic) I didn't have to spend more money on these additives and thus I saved money in the long run, and in my case my whole tank responded better. At least thats what has worked for me thus far.
As to the comment about salt mixes not being much different at all. Oh come on now, think again. If you have ever gone through the trouble of testing the first batch from each new box, bag or bucket you would know that they are different. Do you relize that many synthetic salt manufactures use the same facility? I know first hand that IO salt has had many inconsistancies in each batch. Its been talked about all over the country and there are huge threads about it and other salt mixes on different boards. I have gone through the trouble of sending test samples to three different chemists with regards to the isolated incident regarding the 95dKH death batch that I recieved, and heard from others that IO salt has had problems with.
This can happen to ANY synthetic salt manufacturer! with regards to inconsistancy.
Golfish and I have had talks about the inconsistancy of Oceanic on this board with regards to its mangesium content. Some batches have been as high as 1600ppm I believe, so far mine has been around 1400ppm, NSW comes out at around 1300-1350ppm. I firmly believe that it is this higher mag values that have kept my calcium and alkalinity in check and balanced. Instant ocean never did that for me and I used it for years.
I still used 300 gallons of IO salt even after my bad experience with it, and it was ok, but it wasn't until I started using the Oceanic that I saw an impressive difference in everything about my tank.
Everones experience is different, every tank is different as well as its needs. If IO works for you fine and dandy, it didn't for me.
I would like to see everyone that uses any salt mix to report the results of their test batch on a single thread it would be interesting indeed to see.
Thomas
If oceana was initially cheaper than instant ocean, I would have used it instead. I used what was the least expensive, and it has worked perfectly for over 9 months now. I doubt there is much difference in the salt mixes at all.
And here is my point about this, and remember this is in my case only for my tank.
Instant Ocean just isn't up to many reef tank standards, if it were why do they then make Reef Crystals?
With instant ocean I always had to use additives to dose to bring things up to reef standards even with using kalkwasser, thus I had to spend more money on these additives. These included alkalinity, calcium and magnesium.
By using what I consider to be a better salt mix (Oceanic) I didn't have to spend more money on these additives and thus I saved money in the long run, and in my case my whole tank responded better. At least thats what has worked for me thus far.
As to the comment about salt mixes not being much different at all. Oh come on now, think again. If you have ever gone through the trouble of testing the first batch from each new box, bag or bucket you would know that they are different. Do you relize that many synthetic salt manufactures use the same facility? I know first hand that IO salt has had many inconsistancies in each batch. Its been talked about all over the country and there are huge threads about it and other salt mixes on different boards. I have gone through the trouble of sending test samples to three different chemists with regards to the isolated incident regarding the 95dKH death batch that I recieved, and heard from others that IO salt has had problems with.
This can happen to ANY synthetic salt manufacturer! with regards to inconsistancy.
Golfish and I have had talks about the inconsistancy of Oceanic on this board with regards to its mangesium content. Some batches have been as high as 1600ppm I believe, so far mine has been around 1400ppm, NSW comes out at around 1300-1350ppm. I firmly believe that it is this higher mag values that have kept my calcium and alkalinity in check and balanced. Instant ocean never did that for me and I used it for years.
I still used 300 gallons of IO salt even after my bad experience with it, and it was ok, but it wasn't until I started using the Oceanic that I saw an impressive difference in everything about my tank.
Everones experience is different, every tank is different as well as its needs. If IO works for you fine and dandy, it didn't for me.
I would like to see everyone that uses any salt mix to report the results of their test batch on a single thread it would be interesting indeed to see.
Thomas
T
thomas712
Guest
Oceanic debate:
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/show...hlight=Oceanic
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/show...hlight=Oceanic
dougai
Active Member
Originally Posted by Scighera
for fish only tanks it's good to keep the specific gravity (salinity) low like around 1.016 - 1.018 beacuse most parisites can not thrive in those conditions, how ever if you have invetabrates you have to keep the specific gravity at 1.020-1.022 or problems may ocure.
yah i learned that the hard way a while ago
2 cleaners and a cb GONE
for fish only tanks it's good to keep the specific gravity (salinity) low like around 1.016 - 1.018 beacuse most parisites can not thrive in those conditions, how ever if you have invetabrates you have to keep the specific gravity at 1.020-1.022 or problems may ocure.
yah i learned that the hard way a while ago
2 cleaners and a cb GONE
S
sinner's girl
Guest
I've always used instant ocean, it's all they have a the lfs and *****. In fact, that's all I've seen at any of the lfs. I do not add anything to my tank. but salt, water and food. but I don't have a reef either.
I add salt to a gallon of water and let it sit overnightish. I mix about 7 gallons at a time. More if I have the jugs.
how ever if you have invetabrates you have to keep the specific gravity at 1.020-1.022
umm no? that's low for inverts. most will say 1.025 for inverts though I kept my tank at 1.023 for years.
I add salt to a gallon of water and let it sit overnightish. I mix about 7 gallons at a time. More if I have the jugs.
how ever if you have invetabrates you have to keep the specific gravity at 1.020-1.022
umm no? that's low for inverts. most will say 1.025 for inverts though I kept my tank at 1.023 for years.
turningtim
Active Member
Just my 2 cents but I changed from Tropic Marin to IO about a 6-7 weeks ago. I changed over very slowly during WC's (10%-15%) every week. My tank has never looked so bad. I've had to dose CA which I rarely had to do in the past. With IO my CA dropped my alk sky-rocketed and my corals look very poor. This week I'm starting to change back with the same process. I guess it could be something else that has effected the tank in an adverse way but the salt is the only change that I have made. Time will tell.
As far as expense. With the additives that I have had to buy to get the water right I just don't see a savings in cash or time by buying whats less expensive as far as salt goes. I guess it all depends on what you like and what your used too. But I'll pay the price and get the results that I want.
Again just my 2 cents
As far as expense. With the additives that I have had to buy to get the water right I just don't see a savings in cash or time by buying whats less expensive as far as salt goes. I guess it all depends on what you like and what your used too. But I'll pay the price and get the results that I want.
Again just my 2 cents
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by Scighera
for fish only tanks it's good to keep the specific gravity (salinity) low like around 1.016 - 1.018 beacuse most parisites can not thrive in those conditions, how ever if you have invetabrates you have to keep the specific gravity at 1.020-1.022 or problems may ocure.
I disagree. I suspect long term exposure to low salinity is bad for fish.
The ocean is around 1.025... shoot for what's natural. Keep your fish healthy, feed a variety of healthy foods, keep your water qualities constant and good, and practice QT new arrivals... that is what will best fight diseases and parasites.
for fish only tanks it's good to keep the specific gravity (salinity) low like around 1.016 - 1.018 beacuse most parisites can not thrive in those conditions, how ever if you have invetabrates you have to keep the specific gravity at 1.020-1.022 or problems may ocure.
I disagree. I suspect long term exposure to low salinity is bad for fish.
The ocean is around 1.025... shoot for what's natural. Keep your fish healthy, feed a variety of healthy foods, keep your water qualities constant and good, and practice QT new arrivals... that is what will best fight diseases and parasites.
monalisa
Active Member
I've also used Instant Ocean since starting my tank in April...no problems from the salt (that I know of). I just did my first 10% change with Oceanic...we'll see. I've not been able to get my calcium up to where I want it and I've heard that Oceanic can help me out with that...again, we'll see. I'll keep you posted.
Lisa :happyfish
Lisa :happyfish
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thomas712
Guest
Originally Posted by TurningTim
I've had to dose CA which I rarely had to do in the past. With IO my CA dropped my alk sky-rocketed and my corals look very poor.
As far as expense. With the additives that I have had to buy to get the water right I just don't see a savings in cash or time by buying whats less expensive as far as salt goes.
Pretty much the point I made with regards to IO salt. It's just not good enough for a reef tank.
Thomas
I've had to dose CA which I rarely had to do in the past. With IO my CA dropped my alk sky-rocketed and my corals look very poor.
As far as expense. With the additives that I have had to buy to get the water right I just don't see a savings in cash or time by buying whats less expensive as far as salt goes.
Pretty much the point I made with regards to IO salt. It's just not good enough for a reef tank.
Thomas
maurice
Member
Well i have been using IO and have not been happy with it,but have been scared to change for the reason i have never used other salts.My lfs carries IO,Oceanic,and Reef Crystals,out of those which do you think is the better choice to go with?I have to buy salt tomorrow when i go pick up my new MH lighting so i would like to get a better salt if someone can point me to which they think is better from expierience.Thanks!
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thomas712
Guest
Originally Posted by Maurice
.My lfs carries IO,Oceanic,and Reef Crystals,out of those which do you think is the better choice to go with?!
Try the Oceanic. IO and Reef crystals are both made by the same company.
.My lfs carries IO,Oceanic,and Reef Crystals,out of those which do you think is the better choice to go with?!
Try the Oceanic. IO and Reef crystals are both made by the same company.
I never liked IO...it used to test with trace nitrates which I definitely did not like. Have not tested it in quite some time, though, so I can't say if that is still the case.
Oceanic needs to be left to heavily populated sps tanks due to the high calcium. I used it in my mostly softy/lps tank and the calcium went off the charts....this was not a problem limited to just my tank. Its common with Oceanic.
For Fish only/FOWLR I always really liked Red Sea. I like the way they make their salt, and I like how quickly it mixes without residuals.
Oceanic needs to be left to heavily populated sps tanks due to the high calcium. I used it in my mostly softy/lps tank and the calcium went off the charts....this was not a problem limited to just my tank. Its common with Oceanic.
For Fish only/FOWLR I always really liked Red Sea. I like the way they make their salt, and I like how quickly it mixes without residuals.
Originally Posted by Thomas712
Good Lord not another one of these threads, do a search and please don't get me started on this topic.
I'll never use instant ocean again.
What was your exp. with it? I never much liked it either, BTW. Does not mix well, and also I have tested it with nitrates! [And no, my source water did not have nitrates].
Good Lord not another one of these threads, do a search and please don't get me started on this topic.
I'll never use instant ocean again.
What was your exp. with it? I never much liked it either, BTW. Does not mix well, and also I have tested it with nitrates! [And no, my source water did not have nitrates].