I bought a 150 gal ( mixed ) box of Crystal Sea MarineMix ( Reef Forumula ). It seems no one uses it and I'm wonder if I shouldnt stick with Instant Ocean. I hate to toss the box of salt away ( cant return it ). I'm setting up a 100 gal with a 55 gal Refug ( about 35-40 gals ), so the 1 box would set me up and leave enough for a water change. After that, can I just use IO, or do I have to introduce it slowly, or what?
Can I switch salt brands without a problem?
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samherston
In Memoriam
I would make a SLOW change with a new salt. Like start doing water changes with a new salt and I would recommend the Sea Chem Reef Salt.
sir_dudeguy
Active member
You'll be fine switching. Salt is all just that....salt. Its all the same, with the only differences being the additives.
Like said above...use the rest of what you have. Then i would recommend getting reef crystals (if its gonna be a reef tank). If not a reef tank, you can pay a little less for IO, but reef crystals is made by them and only 44 shipped for a 160g bucket. Then just do the water changes from then on w/the new salt
Probably the only thing that will happen is you'd get a diatom bloom (maybe) but since you're just starting the tank, you're gonna get that anyways so i wouldnt even pay attention to it
Like said above...use the rest of what you have. Then i would recommend getting reef crystals (if its gonna be a reef tank). If not a reef tank, you can pay a little less for IO, but reef crystals is made by them and only 44 shipped for a 160g bucket. Then just do the water changes from then on w/the new salt
Probably the only thing that will happen is you'd get a diatom bloom (maybe) but since you're just starting the tank, you're gonna get that anyways so i wouldnt even pay attention to it
Joshua1023
New member
Just change it. People worry too much.
Travis L. Stevens
Active member
Actually, a change in salts can be very difficult if it happens to be drastic. You wouldn't want to go from using Instant Ocean (average 380+ ppm Ca), and then do a 50% water change with Oceanic (average 500+ ppm Ca). Usually, there isn't much harm or change between salt brands, but one should be aware of the potential problems. My personal recommendation would be to mix the salts. Every time you do a water change, let's say 5g that takes 5x 1/2 cups to make, switch out one scoop with the new salt until all 5 scoops are the new salt.
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