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

[MMacro]

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.

I am using regular IO right now for tank transfer and there is quite a bit of residue left after mixing. Mixed with fresh RODI and a sealed mixing container.

 

[ktownhero]

I am using regular IO right now for tank transfer and there is quite a bit of residue left after mixing. Mixed with fresh RODI and a sealed mixing container.

Hmmm, I stand corrected then!

 

[jda]

Also, I use the whole bag, so there is no chance of settlement for my use. Anybody who uses part of any container (bag or bucket) and gets some residue probably had the salt settle a bit. I have heard of people getting some residue from IO, I am just not one of them... full container of RO, full 50G bag of salt, cold water, stir and aerate then heat. Once all of this is done, then I doctor it with Dowflake first then Muratic a day or so later.

 

[xanthurum]

Check out Fritz, I switched to it fro Red Sea Coral Pro for a few reasons. The 2 main reasons were cost and Alk. It's not a lot cheaper but $15 to $20 a month can really add up and it mixes at around 8 to 8.5 on the alk scale as opposed to 10.

 

[FullBoreReefer]

IO reef crystals, 200gal box, $52/free prime Shipping on Amazon.

That's about the only reason I'm a prime member haha

 

[kevin21]

On my 28g, I do 5g water changes weekly. So roughly 20%

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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Spec C]

Just went through this dilemma recently. Have been using Tropic Marin Pro Reef with great results, its just really expensive buying 3+ buckets a year.

Ended up buying a bucket of regular IO instead of reef crystals (due to seeing alot of inconsistencies with it).

 

[ca1ore]

Three biggest 'boondoggles' in this hobby:

1. Clear #1 is 'live' sand
2. 'Premium' salt
3. Supplemental vitamins

 

[SouthFla]

Another vote for 200G IO bags in box $39 A-Prime! I change 10G weekly on my 125, drop in 3ml muriatic acid, 60ml BRS 2-part Ca and 100ml BRS 2-part Mg to the 10G mix and get 7.6 dkh, 430 Ca and 1350 Mg to match my tank. Easy-peasy :dance:

I get a *little* brown residue coating the walls of my container, but just wipe out with a paper towel every month or so...

 

[steallife904]

I have been using kent reef salt for years with good results. You can get a 200 gallon case shipped for 50 bucks from dr foster.