What's wrong with using Instant Ocean salt?

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Hello everyone,...
I have seen so many people using these designer salts all the time and recommending them. EVEN I AM GUILTY OF THIS. So, I just wanted to pose an honest question,... what is so bad about Instant Ocean Sea Salt for a reef tank, if you are going to supplement your ca, alk and mg anyway?
My LFS has been using IO for a few years now and his tanks have never looked better. I have used IO for the last year and a half or so and my tanks also look pretty good and have been stable over time as well. So... what makes designer salts so much better than IO, even if you still have to supplement designer salts with chemicals as well????
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
You would have to dose more with IO than with designer salts. Perhaps it is more cost effective to buy the more expensive salt (I doubt it). Would that depend on the size of your system? I wouldn't think so, but I'm not 100% sure.
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Honestly, there is nothing wrong with it seth. I always used the reef crystals until I tried the aquavitro crap. Now, I am using plain IO cause I dont want the extra trace elements right now. Both are good IMO.. I dont check mag, but calc is 420, kh is 11. Thats good for me.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by PEZenfuego http:///t/393289/whats-wrong-with-using-instant-ocean-salt#post_3497697
You would have to dose more with IO than with designer salts. Perhaps it is more cost effective to buy the more expensive salt (I doubt it). Would that depend on the size of your system? I wouldn't think so, but I'm not 100% sure.
IO has ca, alk and mg in levels almost as good as their reef salt... at $50 for 200g mix (which is about what I pay here)... then if you look into designer salts at $100 plus the S&H because you can't find it at your LFS on a regular basis... using some road salt, epsom salt, and baking soda to supplement a cheap salt isn't that big of a deal... and is dirt cheap.
So,... whats so wrong with Instant Ocean? It can grow corals as well....? If you have a Calcium Reactor, does it really matter?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by luvmyreef http:///t/393289/whats-wrong-with-using-instant-ocean-salt#post_3497704
Honestly, there is nothing wrong with it seth. I always used the reef crystals until I tried the aquavitro crap. Now, I am using plain IO cause I dont want the extra trace elements right now. Both are good IMO.. I dont check mag, but calc is 420, kh is 11. Thats good for me.
Like I said, that's just as good as some of the "reef" salts out there. A Ca level of 420 and a dKH of 11 is great for a cheap salt mix. I don't see the reason to pay twice as much for an additional 10 or 20ppm of calcium. If it were that bad, I'd add some pickle crisp to the mix and call it a day.
Besides, don't most "serious" reefers adjust their levels pre-water change to match their tank, regardless of what salt it is? So,... again, I ask the forum, what's so wrong with IO for a reef salt???
 
luvmyreef

luvmyreef

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/393289/whats-wrong-with-using-instant-ocean-salt#post_3497706
Like I said, that's just as good as some of the "reef" salts out there. A Ca level of 420 and a dKH of 11 is great for a cheap salt mix. I don't see the reason to pay twice as much for an additional 10 or 20ppm of calcium. If it were that bad, I'd add some pickle crisp to the mix and call it a day.
Besides, don't most "serious" reefers adjust their levels pre-water change to match their tank, regardless of what salt it is? So,... again, I ask the forum, what's so wrong with IO for a reef salt???
In all honesty, why would you adjust anything pre water change? I don't see the point. Test the new water, and if it is lacking in something, then add it. But chances are the levels are fine...But I agree, Nothing wrong with IO...
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Seth it's been a long debated topic for ages......There is no "perfect" salt......Mixes vary from batch to batch and it's not even safe to say "designer" salts have the correct levels.....If you go back and look at the spreadsheet when the study was done you'll see all vary in different aspects, and even with "designer" salts you'll tend to buffer or add something to get it to where your levels need to be. We all know that each salt will react differently on different systems, just as equipment. IO is used by many very successful reefs, and I think the key might be finding what target parameters are and go from there.....
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393289/whats-wrong-with-using-instant-ocean-salt#post_3497712
Seth it's been a long debated topic for ages......There is no "perfect" salt......Mixes vary from batch to batch and it's not even safe to say "designer" salts have the correct levels.....If you go back and look at the spreadsheet when the study was done you'll see all vary in different aspects, and even with "designer" salts you'll tend to buffer or add something to get it to where your levels need to be. We all know that each salt will react differently on different systems, just as equipment. IO is used by many very successful reefs, and I think the key might be finding what target parameters are and go from there.....
So, if I am understanding this correctly... you don't see the point of buying designer salts either? I can see the point of buying synthetic salt mixes without anticaking agents and paying a premium,... but that's just about it.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I don't see a point. I think it all comes down to what you feel is best for your tank. There is always going to be good, better, best brands of anything. What it comes down to is what you want and what works best for you and what you are willing to pay. Heck, I'm thinking of switching to Top Fin salt since it is the cheapest salt at my work and I get a discount.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I'm saying to each his own.....I am saying I don't believe all the hype people put into certain salts, when there's nothing that can truly be confirmed to make 1 manufacturers mix truly better than another's. if you look at the study, some are more consistent in relation to NSW, but none identical in all aspects.
You'll find people do run batch test on per say the bucket their using and the will adjust their mix to meet their tanks parameters. IMO that is an excellent way to keep things stable. Again we aren't talking about wild adjustments guys....tweaking to their preferences.
Are you trying to compare Gary's mix???
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/393289/whats-wrong-with-using-instant-ocean-salt#post_3497742
I don't see a point. I think it all comes down to what you feel is best for your tank. There is always going to be good, better, best brands of anything. What it comes down to is what you want and what works best for you and what you are willing to pay. Heck, I'm thinking of switching to Top Fin salt since it is the cheapest salt at my work and I get a discount.
Cool, thanks for the input.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Seth if I can ever get my buddy Dallas over my house I'm going to call you and he can give you some insight on your salt dilemma.....
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/393289/whats-wrong-with-using-instant-ocean-salt#post_3497747
I'm trying to justify the cost of Gary's salt, personally. I like his salt, but I am trying to justify the cost. I'm thinking about switching to Instant Ocean though, since I am seeing great results with different tanks.
Personally I don't see a difference in salt either, however I have read some pretty disastrous results from folks who switched salts, so be careful. I have read some folks switch over slowly and not all at once, by mixing the old and new brand, then increase the new over time..
 
beth

beth

Administrator
Staff member
I found that IO did not dissolve so well as others. Could have been my water. Also, some batches turned up with nitrates.
 
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