Does anyone still use IO salt?

[ostrow]

I picked up a butload from an old-timer who recently had to get out. And I mean, a LOT -- at a price too good to pass up.

But now as my last bucket of Seachem Reef Salt from a large group buy years ago nears it's emptying, I'm starting to have buyer's remorse, even at such a bargain.

Is anyone still using IO to good effect? I realize I'll have to deal with the hassle of adding alk and probably cal buffer to it as I mix it. But just wondering if anyone still uses the stuff....

 

[dzhuo]

I use IO. In fact, over the years I have tried many different ones and IO had giving me less hassle. I have never need to "buffer" alk, cal or mag either.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

i used it for years an still use the reef chrystals. Good stuff

 

[hannahs]

I use their reef crystal mix.

 

[allsps40]

I have used IO in the past its a good cheap salt mix, nothing wrong with it. I think I am done with "reef salts" going back to either IO or regular Red Sea. I had used Reef Crystals for years but I got a few bad buckets when they changed the formula, alk was 14 and it mixed up really really brown. So I got a bucket of the new IO it mixed up to ca 400 alk 10 mag 1300 so I was happy with it but it was mixing up brown as well, but not as brown as the RC. So I just switched brands altogether but I am not happy with the high priced reef salts. D-D was low on mag and they refused to admit it when I contacted them and RSCP has a really high alk as well, 14dkh. I just dont like the risk of alk burn when I do a water change.

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

2 buckets into the regular red sea and it is as advertised in relation to Ca and alk....7-8dkh day after water change and my Ca reactor is holding at 7 till the next change (30 gal). I like my alk at 7 as I'm slowly decreasing my vodka dose and am almost 5 weekds into a mix of ecobak and tlf pellets.

 

[sweet ride]

Am currently using IO and I don't plan on switching as am happy with the result that I have with them.

I've tried others like DD and TMPR but really didn't notice significant difference in the corals. Check out my System and i'll let you be the judge.

 

[reeferx2]

I've been using IO for the last couple years. Have had no problems with it. I bump up the Mg a bit but leave the alk and Ca as is and all my SPS are doing great.

 

[ostrow]

Thanks guys.

Please, this isn't a compare salt thread ... there are umpteen of those and no need for another.

It has been ages since I have used or read anyone's experience with IO. I'm not shopping for salts, if you read the OP. I have thousands of gallons worth of IO salt and before I start using it I wanted to hear from people who are using it or have very recently used it.

Thanks.

 

[dzhuo]

I had used Reef Crystals for years but I got a few bad buckets when they changed the formula, alk was 14 and it mixed up really really brown.

I notice the brown residue at least 5 years ago when I tried Reef Crystals. When I first reported this, no one believe me. Later, the manufacturer claim the brown residues are GFO. This is the primary reason why I always stick with IO: Consistency (without non-sense). It's like using RO/DI: You always know there is one less variable to worry about.

 

[dvanacker]

IO....since day 1.

 

[curlykid]

me 2. i use it for everyting!

 

[SDguy]

I have and will continue to use IO.

 

[jcw]

I use IO. And reef crystals.

Still mixes up with the brown residue on pumps and tubing, but as far as I can tell and read, it's harmless.

I think I read Randy Holmes-Farley also uses it and supplements calc and mag as needed.

 

[BillyC]

I never knew people stopped using IO. Haha! I have been using it since I started reef keeping and never have had the need to change it.

 

[Acronic]

Ive had best success using IO and for the price it cant be beat.

 

[mc-cro]

I have been using I/O for over 10yrs, I have never switched and I have always been happy. I do try to record the big 3 (alk, calc, and mg) on each new bucket(or box) as it does tend to vary a little, but not so much that I wouldn't do a water change without buffering it a little. Unless I am doing a huge(%)water change, I dont bother adjusting the levels

 

[allsps40]

Having a brown build up on pumps and buckets from mixing is normal for any salt mix. I mean RC and IO mixed up way brown, the water you could see it.

 

[dzhuo]

Having a brown build up on pumps and buckets from mixing is normal for any salt mix.

No, it's not normal. If you have brown residue in your pumps and buckets, you either have algae or bacteria growing on them. The water should still be crystal clear (assuming you mix the water correctly and your bucket is clean to begin with). I have never seen any brown residue from IO. Even RC is not always brown (just occasionally).

 

[jcw]

No, it's not normal. If you have brown residue in your pumps and buckets, you either have algae or bacteria growing on them. The water should still be crystal clear (assuming you mix the water correctly and your bucket is clean to begin with). I have never seen any brown residue from IO. Even RC is not always brown (just occasionally).

I understood it is a sand/clay that they mix in for consistency reasons.

I did not think it was algae or bacteria.