I need to change salts, red sea is just too expensive. Instant Ocean?

[2wheelsonly]

If I don't land free shipping, red sea blue bucket is $75-$80. I am going through a tub a month at least.

My local LFS stores charge $85 for the bucket but 200G boxes of instant ocean are $45. The problem is, I maintain my alk at 7.5-7.8 due to a low nutrient system (don't say I should raise it because that wont work). I'd rather not have shifts in Alk every time I water change; instant ocean tests as high as 11 alk from what iv'e read based on other experience.

Is it a viable solution to use instant ocean and dose calcium (cheap BRS additive) and hydrochloric acid to lower the alk? Has anyone done this? Seriously looking for alternatives. The red sea blue bucket is out of stock often locally which adds to the hassle.

 

[jda]

IO is, and has been, the best salt on the market for years, IMO.

Yes, a few MLs of muratic will get it done. There are posts in the chemistry section that Dr RHF and Boomer have given a calculator for volume and desired drop.

I recommend the IO in the 50G bags. Mix that whole bag up in a 44G brute with RO to the top and it mixes the same every time. You can get your Dowflake (or other calcium chloride) and Muratic tuned for your perfect mix without any fluctuation.

The buckets are cool, but you have to mix the dry salt up since it will settle some like every other kind - the "uniform particle size" is a bunch of bunk IME.

 

[Timfish]

Been using Instant Ocean for decades.

TFC @ 17 years http://youtu.be/5AnmQXmE8d0

Green Slimer Timeline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyM6Y39iQ8M

 

[2wheelsonly]

IO is, and has been, the best salt on the market for years, IMO.

Yes, a few MLs of muratic will get it done. There are posts in the chemistry section that Dr RHF and Boomer have given a calculator for volume and desired drop.

I recommend the IO in the 50G bags. Mix that whole bag up in a 44G brute with RO to the top and it mixes the same every time. You can get your Dowflake (or other calcium chloride) and Muratic tuned for your perfect mix without any fluctuation.

The buckets are cool, but you have to mix the dry salt up since it will settle some like every other kind - the "uniform particle size" is a bunch of bunk IME.

Thanks for your help! Did you find you had to clean out your mixing tub often? I always try to have salt water on hand in the event of emergency WC...my red sea has always been clean as a whistle in that regard. Either way, not that big of an issue if IO is "messier" as I can just clean the containers every 6 months.

 

[MMacro]

Thanks for your help! Did you find you had to clean out your mixing tub often? I always try to have salt water on hand in the event of emergency WC...my red sea has always been clean as a whistle in that regard. Either way, not that big of an issue if IO is "messier" as I can just clean the containers every 6 months.

I have had this issue when using IO. I had to clean my brute out at least every two-three batches. This was using fresh RODI and a lid on the container.
I am currently using Fritz coral pro salt which runs me $60 for a 200 gallon box.

 

[ca1ore]

50 gal bags of IO here as well. Nothing else in over 10 years.

 

[Arthur1]

It does what it is supposed to do. I don't like the clean up issue but as the saying goes, it is what it is.

 

[DamonG]

From a recent experience doing exactly that, with the exact two products your thinking, I wouldn't! I switched from the blue bucket to io.. I haven't quite gotten to the bottom, but I got 3/4 through the bucket, and stn city.. Badly..

Yes, the blue bucket is expensive, but if I could go back, I would have simply done less water changes.. That for sure, is the truth.. I can't get my colonies back that I lost.. All because I wanted to save some money..

From note 5

 

[slief]

Been using Instant Ocean for decades.

TFC @ 17 years http://youtu.be/5AnmQXmE8d0

Green Slimer Timeline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyM6Y39iQ8M

Me too. Cheap Instant Ocean salt is all I've used for nearly 20 years. My reef is thriving too. My SPS, LPS and soft corals all grow like weeds. I run a calcium reactor which insures my Ca and Alk levels are where I need them but even when I didn't run my reactor, my reef did just fine.

 

[chamjack]

Instant Ocean here too since I started almost 8 years ago. 200 gal boxes for $39.99 with free shipping can't be beat, IMO! I do dose, so the low calcium has never been an issue for me. My tank is mostly LPS. I do have the brown film left all over the inside of my mixing barrel. I just clean it every now and then and it's never been an issue for me.

 

[Ou8me2]

I'm not sure why you are paying so much for a bucket. I mean BRS and Marine Depot all have free shipping no minimum now. $72.99 for the blue bucket plus if you get in the preferred reefer program on BRS you would earn $3.60 for each bucket for a future purchase. Yes, I know the price of Instant Ocean is tempting and I'm not saying it isn't a good salt and I've used it for many years and I always cycle my tanks with Instant Ocean as it's cheaper.

I guess I'm the type of guy that says "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

[Ron Reefman]

My concern is that if you are going through a bucket a month and the difference between $70 for the Red Sea and $40 for the basic IO and $50 for the Reef Crystals is more than you are willing to deal with? If $20 or $30 a month is more than you want to spend, why do you have such a big tank? Or why are you using so much salt?

I have 400g of salt water in my house and I only go through a bucket of Reef Crystals every 4 to 6 months. Yes, I do fewer and smaller water changes, but you use 200 gallons a month?

 

[Voodoojar]

Use less salt, problem solved. Using 200g a month of salt is crazy.

 

[kevin21]

I use reef crystals and do weekly water changes. I maintain 1350 mag, 470 cal, and 7.8 alk. Granted this is on a 28g.

 

[Odysi]

I did the opposite of what your planning on. I went from RC to RSCP and don't plan on looking back. Not saying anything is wrong with RC because i used it for 2 years with no issues at all, but i hated the clean up. I only do 10gl water changes weekly so 1 bucket lasts me 4 months give or take.

 

[thabizness]

I have used both IO and RSCP. All I saw was a difference in alk. Since I run my alk at 8 IO is best for me. I use a CaRx also. I had issues storing RSCP. I do AWC and my storage containers would have precipitation in it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[MNFishGuy]

I use reef crystals and do weekly water changes. I maintain 1350 mag, 470 cal, and 7.8 alk. Granted this is on a 28g.

What percent/how many gallons of the water do you take out?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Elricsfate]

My concern is that if you are going through a bucket a month and the difference between $70 for the Red Sea and $40 for the basic IO and $50 for the Reef Crystals is more than you are willing to deal with? If $20 or $30 a month is more than you want to spend, why do you have such a big tank? Or why are you using so much salt?

I have 400g of salt water in my house and I only go through a bucket of Reef Crystals every 4 to 6 months. Yes, I do fewer and smaller water changes, but you use 200 gallons a month?

Ron, this comment caught my eye as I will be in the same neighborhood when my 180 is setup in the next few weeks. Obviously you are doing smaller or less frequent water changes. If you wouldn't mind, I have two questions.

1) What is your actual water change schedule (percentage/frequency)?
2) Are you using any particular equipment expressly for the purpose of allowing you to go longer periods of time without changing the water?

Thanks!

 

[jda]

Thanks for your help! Did you find you had to clean out your mixing tub often? I always try to have salt water on hand in the event of emergency WC...my red sea has always been clean as a whistle in that regard. Either way, not that big of an issue if IO is "messier" as I can just clean the containers every 6 months.

I only clean them out every few months... not really on schedule, just when they look like they need it.

I do make sure that the container is full of cold water before adding the salt. If I let it sit, I keep a powerhead in it to keep it aerated.

What is the big issue with changing water. People will spend $20-40 a month for GFO and/or vodka when fresh water can do the same thing and even more?

 

[ktownhero]

Thanks for your help! Did you find you had to clean out your mixing tub often? I always try to have salt water on hand in the event of emergency WC...my red sea has always been clean as a whistle in that regard. Either way, not that big of an issue if IO is "messier" as I can just clean the containers every 6 months.

I think you are confusing "IO" (Instant Ocean) with "RC" (Instant Ocean Reef Crystals). Regular IO is the most tried-and-true salt in the business and I've never heard of any residue issues with it. RC, on the other hand, is well known to leave residue.