Billybeau1
Premium Member
That wouldn't surprise me if RSCP increased their alkalinity as it was right at the low end of the scale previously and made it unattractive to some reefers.
I'll put it on my list. Thanks Dan.
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A General Guide to Salt Mixes
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
That wouldn't surprise me if RSCP increased their alkalinity as it was right at the low end of the scale previously and made it unattractive to some reefers.
I'll put it on my list. Thanks Dan.
That's how I mix water: closed Brute can. Actually, 2 x 44 gallon cans plumbed together. But I do my water changes very slowly, so there is no impact on O2 if the water is low in O2. If you did a 30% change, you'd want to make sure it was well aerated.
rigleautomotive
Premium Member
No problem billy,thank you for all your hard work in providing the info in this thread.its a very useful tool to say the least
gig
New member
OK, I have an old quiet one 4000 in mine, so it's quite turbulent...I'd assume if I take the lid off 30 min before I do the change, I'm likely ok. right?
Thanks!
That's probably adequate. Maybe a bit longer to be more sure. 
Finsky
New member
I mixed 16 gallons in a 32 gallon Brute over a week with the lid on except of space for the pump and heater cords. I took the lid off for a bit while siphoning out the first 12 gallons to be replaced(removing any more would take the water level below the canister intakes). I then siphoned out another four gallons and replaced the extra four gallons I had mixed over my usual 12 gallon for a 10% weekly change.
This time I did notice a minimal amount of brown slime on the inside of the Brute with a weeks time of mixing with Reef Crystals.
Everything went fine with the change.
This time I did notice a minimal amount of brown slime on the inside of the Brute with a weeks time of mixing with Reef Crystals.
Everything went fine with the change.
Finsky
New member
Switching from Reef Crystals to Instant Ocean
Switching from Reef Crystals to Instant Ocean
I have not had to use my unopened two liter bottle of Reef Complete let alone the 3/4 empty two liter bottle to raise my calcium for months using Reef Crystals.
Would my tank's inhabitants miss the "extras" in Reef Crystals which are not in Instant Ocean?
I add Kent Marine-C and Selcon for my own vitamin supplementing.
Switching from Reef Crystals to Instant Ocean
I think you can just switch over cold turkey. I would not use any special trace elements just because you switch from RC to IO. You might monitor calcium and magnesium since they are a bit lower. I boost my starting IO with Dowflake and MAG flake.
I also add iron for macroalgae and silicate for sponges, but RC would be no different in that regard.
I have not had to use my unopened two liter bottle of Reef Complete let alone the 3/4 empty two liter bottle to raise my calcium for months using Reef Crystals.
Would my tank's inhabitants miss the "extras" in Reef Crystals which are not in Instant Ocean?
I add Kent Marine-C and Selcon for my own vitamin supplementing.
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maynardjames
New member
Would my tank's inhabitants miss the "extras" in Reef Crystals which are not in Instant Ocean?
Like vitamins and the metal chelator? I doubt it. I don't even want them in my water, and at least for the vitamins, even the manufacturer doesn't have evidence they are useful. As to trace elements, I'm not sure RC has appreciably more in any desirable way.
Like vitamins and the metal chelator? I doubt it. I don't even want them in my water, and at least for the vitamins, even the manufacturer doesn't have evidence they are useful. As to trace elements, I'm not sure RC has appreciably more in any desirable way.
wdt2000
Member
Do you think the metal chelator could be detrimental to our tanks?
I do not know, since they do not say what it is or how much is there, but it can't be particularly detrimental since a lot of great reef tanks use Reef Crystals.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Probably not as Randy noted. But if your tank is looking sweet, why change anything. The reason you do not need to use your Reef Complete is that new RC has more calcium then it used to.
Randy has always been stubborn about RC. He loves his IO. It works for him and his tank. Just remember, he changes water every day. Many of us don't. If we all changed 1% a day, we would all buy Instant Ocean. But we don't.
Stick with what works for you and your husbandry schedule. If it looks good, it probably is.
Finsky
New member
I thank you very much Mr. Billybeau1
I thank you very much Mr. Billybeau1
Mr. Randy is a cool dude and it makes sense about the water changing every day. My 12 gallon 10% water changes with RC have done well for me and it would not make sense to change a good thing to save on one bottle of Reef Complete.
I thank you very much Mr. Billybeau1
Probably not as Randy noted. But if your tank is looking sweet, why change anything. The reason you do not need to use your Reef Complete is that new RC has more calcium then it used to.
Randy has always been stubborn about RC. He loves his IO. It works for him and his tank. Just remember, he changes water every day. Many of us don't. If we all changed 1% a day, we would all buy Instant Ocean. But we don't.
Stick with what works for you and your husbandry schedule. If it looks good, it probably is.
Mr. Randy is a cool dude and it makes sense about the water changing every day. My 12 gallon 10% water changes with RC have done well for me and it would not make sense to change a good thing to save on one bottle of Reef Complete.
Attachments
ESV B-Ionic Salt
ESV B-Ionic Salt
Dave,
I have used a variety of salt mixes over the years and about a year ago settled on H2Ocean. I posted in this thread regarding the salt back when I started using it. I have not moved away from it because I really like the product even though it is a bit spendy. I have used numerous ESV products over the years including B-Ionic Two Part, ESV Magnesium, ESV GAC, and ESV Calcium Hydroxide (Kalk Powder). I have every reason to believe their salt would be an excellent product. I like their products because I always know what I'm getting, no secret ingredients. In addition, I have learned more about water chemistry by talking with these guys on the phone than anywhere else, well besides reading all the stuff I could come across by Randy Holmes-Farley. If I am stumped, these guys always have some insight to help me understand the problem. In ten years I've called them a handful of times and they take the time to help you really understand what is happening when you add products to your tank. ESV has best in class customer service so I'm sure you could call and ask any questions pertaining to the salt before you made a purchase.
If you give it a try, please let us know what you think.
Regards,
Jeff
ESV B-Ionic Salt
Dave,
I have used a variety of salt mixes over the years and about a year ago settled on H2Ocean. I posted in this thread regarding the salt back when I started using it. I have not moved away from it because I really like the product even though it is a bit spendy. I have used numerous ESV products over the years including B-Ionic Two Part, ESV Magnesium, ESV GAC, and ESV Calcium Hydroxide (Kalk Powder). I have every reason to believe their salt would be an excellent product. I like their products because I always know what I'm getting, no secret ingredients. In addition, I have learned more about water chemistry by talking with these guys on the phone than anywhere else, well besides reading all the stuff I could come across by Randy Holmes-Farley. If I am stumped, these guys always have some insight to help me understand the problem. In ten years I've called them a handful of times and they take the time to help you really understand what is happening when you add products to your tank. ESV has best in class customer service so I'm sure you could call and ask any questions pertaining to the salt before you made a purchase.
If you give it a try, please let us know what you think.
Regards,
Jeff
Randy,
Can you give some info on how (i.e., the amount you use) you boost your IO salt? I take it that you add a certain amount of dowflake and magflake to the water per gallon of IO that you make up, correct? If you have posted this somewhere else...I haven't been able to locate it. I'm trying to get an idea if my additions are similar.
Thanks!!
Can you give some info on how (i.e., the amount you use) you boost your IO salt? I take it that you add a certain amount of dowflake and magflake to the water per gallon of IO that you make up, correct? If you have posted this somewhere else...I haven't been able to locate it. I'm trying to get an idea if my additions are similar.
Thanks!!
His answer was here in this thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=978901
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=978901
