what kind of salt?

[brettd]

I use Reef Crystals myself. It's been excellent so far.

 

[ameno]

If you have a reef tank I would not recommend Reef crystals unless you want to buffer up the cal. In general there cal. levels run around 360. the last batch I made up was 340. I switching to a different brand, looking at coralife, it seemed to have a better alaround reading based on a recent study.

 

[brandan]

IO -- for over a year now with no problems. Corals look great and fish are healthy. If I do stop using IO I will go to Topic Marin. But until I find something wrong with IO I am sticking with it.

 

[hurt]

Originally Posted by ameno
http:///forum/post/2510810
the last batch I made up was 340.
Sounds like you got a bucket of the bad batch. Contact them and they will probably have you send in a sample, then they will send a new bucket at the correct levels.
Mine always tests 440 per Salifert.

 

[hurt]

Originally Posted by southstar066
http:///forum/post/2509841
...premium aquatics its 18.00 for 50 gallons...thats is cheaper than IO and reef Chrystals
Not exactly cheaper. Reef Crystals 5 gallon buckets make 160 gallons worth of water for roughly $30 per DFS.
That would be around $50 to make the same amount.

 

[ameno]

Originally Posted by Hurt
http:///forum/post/2510966
Sounds like you got a bucket of the bad batch. Contact them and they will probably have you send in a sample, then they will send a new bucket at the correct levels.
Mine always tests 440 per Salifert.
According to a testing that was done recently on different salts by Aquariumwatertesting the average cal. for reef crystals is 341.5.
They used two test from different parts of the US to come up with this, and from what I've heard reefcrystals is having some issues lately with there mixes.

 

[hurt]

Originally Posted by ameno
http:///forum/post/2511004
According to a testing that was done recently on different salts by Aquariumwatertesting the average cal. for reef crystals is 341.5.
They used two test from different parts of the US to come up with this, and from what I've heard reefcrystals is having some issues lately with there mixes.
It sounds like they both tested the bad batch. I've used Reef Crystals for 3 years now, and every new bucket I get I test once just to make sure quality control is on par. Every bucket I have ever tested came right at 440.
another thread

 

[ameno]

That could be it, because i've know people that swear by the stuff. but until they get this issue worked out I'm staying clear of it, since i'm already having a major issue keeping cal. levels up.

 

[saltyfish808]

Thanks guys! I ordered a 50lb bag of reef crystals to try it out and see how it works for me, If i am not happy with it i will just use Tropic Marin I wanted to purchase a bucket but a 50lb bag is good enough to try it out.

 

[southstar066]

Originally Posted by Hurt
http:///forum/post/2510972
Not exactly cheaper. Reef Crystals 5 gallon buckets make 160 gallons worth of water for roughly $30 per DFS.
That would be around $50 to make the same amount.
actually they have a 200 gallon bucket for 57....so i think ill stick with TMP...cheaper