Reef Crystals

[greenhorn]

i'm specifically looking for info on instant ocean reef crystals. has anyone gotten a batch ready for a water change and tested it for calcium ,
magnesium ,ect... and if so would you mind sharing the results?? from what i have read they claim to have higher levels of everything for reef tanks . i'm hoping someone can confirm this for me. thanx in advance....walt

 

[rcreations]

Well, I've been using only Reef Crystals with RO/DI water and without any additives, it has 390 calcium and 1150 magnesium. Both a little lower than I'd want, but by a very small margin. I just use a little B-Ionic 2part calcium to get it over 400. Otherwise all other readings are perfect!

 

[greenhorn]

thank you -- that's what i was looking for . i've been using red sea salt and i can tell you it has only1000 magnesium and bearly ,actually less than 300 ppm calcium

 

[greenhorn]

i think i'm going to do a 15 gallon / week water change in my 90dt for a couple months , is this a good idea or not??

 

[renogaw]

that's what i do, but more like 11 gallons.
i also have an issue with my alk, which is usually around 6.5dkh with reef crystals.
since my calcium and alk are so low with reef crystals, which is supposed to be so great for reefs, i'm going back to normal instant ocean because dowflake/magflake/baking soda is a lot less expensive than upgrading to reef crystals.