Bad batch of Instant Ocean? Alkalinity through the ROOF!!!

Very low calcium.

No offense intended to any individual, but I'll point out Ron's study that showed (or at least claimed) that the measured values of calcium reported by aquarists had little relationship the the values that he measured in their water:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rs/feature/index.htm

While there may well be problems with that study, I also agree strongly with the idea that many test kits (at least when used by typical aquarists under real home conditions) may not be reliable enough to make definitive statements about the amount of calcium in salt mixes.
 
Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I also agree strongly with the idea that many test kits (at least when used by typical aquarists under real home conditions) may not be reliable enough to make definitive statements about the amount of calcium in salt mixes.
Click to expand...

You said a mouthfull there Randy!
 
Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Very low calcium.

No offense intended to any individual, but I'll point out Ron's study that showed (or at least claimed) that the measured values of calcium reported by aquarists had little relationship the the values that he measured in their water:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rs/feature/index.htm

While there may well be problems with that study, I also agree strongly with the idea that many test kits (at least when used by typical aquarists under real home conditions) may not be reliable enough to make definitive statements about the amount of calcium in salt mixes.
Click to expand...


Randy:

Did those people measure the calcium immediately before taking the sample which had to be shipped to Ron? :)
 
And I would also add ... we have a ton of test results popping up here - no one states what test kit they're using, anything about procedure. Any of them compared with testing a reference sample or similar?

Just wondering, always the skeptic I guess.
 
Did those people measure the calcium immediately before taking the sample which had to be shipped to Ron?

I have no idea what they did. That's one of the reason's that the study is potentially flawed.

But I've also had plenty of folks in my forum say that today the calcium is 300 ppm. Yesterday it was 450 ppm. You and I both know that is incredibly unlikely to be true. :D
 
Megalodon said:
Unless I learn otherwise I say it's logical to consider other brands over IO for now at least.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree that considering another salt brand is ever a bad idea, but I do disagree in the logic in this particular situation.

Lets go back to where we started. All the posters who have reported problems with IO salt on this thread, have also stated that the water mixed cloudy and did not clear up. Now, this to me seems like a great way in which a hobbyist can tell if their batch of IO is bad. I for one in fact am happy that this "cloudy" indicator is there for me to make a logical decision as whether to add it to my tank or not.
Steve
 
SPC said:
Lets go back to where we started. All the posters who have reported problems with IO salt on this thread, have also stated that the water mixed cloudy and did not clear up. Now, this to me seems like a great way in which a hobbyist can tell if their batch of IO is bad. I for one in fact am happy that this "cloudy" indicator is there for me to make a logical decision as whether to add it to my tank or not.
Click to expand...

Yes, everyone knows it mixes cloudy and that it's noticable. I was the thread-starter who first stated this so I've known for quite a while. Thanks for trying to fill me in anyway. I'm also happy that you're logical enough to not make the same mistake yourself. Really I am.

I don't understand why my logic is off just because I'm considering avoiding IO for a while. More bad buckets appear to be out this way than anywhere else. Five bad buckets reported locally from one LFS alone; the only place I can get it cheep at. Until those old-style buckets are gone from BC I won't be confident buying it.
 
Last edited:
How do you know bad buckets have been out that long? I can't find anything on any message board earlier than my thread here about bad, cloudy, and highly alkaline IO.
 
RANDY- You are so right about the test kits i have used LaMotte test kits for over 30 years but heat and how old the test kit is can make a big different in the test. It is best to get LaMotte test kits from factory and thay will sell to any one. 30 years playing with water RGibson
 
There is only two kinds of salt that i would used now Omega Sea and Tropic Marin the rest of the salt thay can keep. I have spent to much time and money to used any thing less. If it cost 2 times as much for the salt it would still be worth it. RGibson
 
Megalodon said:
Yes, everyone knows it mixes cloudy and that it's noticable. I was the thread-starter who first stated this so I've known for quite a while. Thanks for trying to fill me in anyway.
Click to expand...

Mega, I am well aware that you know about this, sorry if you got a different impression from my post, that was not my point.

I'm also happy that you're logical enough to not make the same mistake yourself. Really I am.

I am not referring to the original mistake that some made, my point was the cloudiness could be used as an indicator from this point forward.

I don't understand why my logic is off just because I'm considering avoiding IO for a while. More bad buckets appear to be out this way than anywhere else. Five bad buckets reported locally from one LFS alone; the only place I can get it cheep at. Until those old-style buckets are gone from BC I won't be confident buying it.

I understand what you are saying about the BC area, and for you personally this may be a wise decision. Again, my point was for hobbyist in general, sorry I did not word it better.
Steve
 
maybe I missed something but what was the temp of your tank compared to your new water could have been temp shock just curious
 
nbreau:

You have low alkalinity. The problem here is the opposite of what you observed (here it is too high). I see no reason to think you have a bad batch of IO. I'd suggest testing it for alkalinty with a good test kit if you are concerned. If your tank is really that low, you need to raise it significantly.
 
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