Instant Ocean or Kent?

[Dollarbill]

Whats the difference between the two? Besides the price? Thanks for your help. db

 

[bertoni]

Instant Ocean seems to be more reliable these days. There are some threads on the Kent product if you want to do a search.

 

[Ti]

Neither for me.
Oceanic FTW

 

[gillies]

IO all the way.

 

[whiteshark]

I believe the base salt is the same. So i guess the only difference is what is added. IE calcium, mag,... so on. I believe IO is a little more consistant. I have also heard that IO can be a little low on calcium, but it is consistantly low whereas kent could be low or high, or just right.

 

[Recife]

I like Kent salt. It dissolves very quickly and I haven't had the issues reported in the recent threads. All elements test perfect.

Marine Depot have it on sale right now. 3 50gal bags for $32.

 

[kypatriot]

Does anybody think the Reef Crystals (made by the IO folks) is worth a couple bucks more than the regular IO?

 

[bertoni]

If you get the bulk calcium and magnesium, I don't think it's nearly worth the extra cost.

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

i would choose IO over kent, but i use tropic marin

 

[funman1]

I am currently using Reef Crystals, and they are driving me nuts, It buffers WAY too low..

Every time I make a batch PH is at about 7.8-7.9
So I have to mix up a batch of PH buffer everytime I do a water change.. I can't wait to get rid of this salt..

I think I'm going to switch over to regular IO

 

[Dollarbill]

Well i guess that answers my question. IO it is! I cant wait! thanks for your help!

 

[Johnson7]

Oceanic for this guy (former Kent guy)

 

[OrangeKoi]

I suppose for you all with big tanks that's the way to go. It is handy to be able to just mix it up.

But you know? It costs more than buying from the LFS premixed.

 

[Dollarbill]

That doesnt sound right. Lfs is approx. .69$ - 1$ a gallon premix and a 50 gallon Instant ocean mix is only 15$.

 

[kypatriot]

You can get the 150g bucket from Foster & Smith for under $35. (I wait until I'm getting other stuff to share the shipping, which is not extra for the weight)

 

[Dollarbill]

Wow, is that a .com or a store? I guess i'll check if its a .com thank you. db

 

[kypatriot]

www.drsfostersmith.com

For the 160g bucket, IO is $31.99 and Reef Crystals is $34.99 (on sale - normal prices are 36.99 and 39.99 respectively)

 

[Dollarbill]

Wow thats a good deal on salt Kypatriot! Thankx

 

[OrangeKoi]

You all are forgetting that you need H2O to go with that salt mix...and your grand total escaleted to ...?

Distilled water here costs over a dollar for the cheapest brand (which is what you want I understand). I suppose buying salt in bulk brings the price down and if you use tap water without an ro/di unit it probably does cost less but I like to know the waters fine. For emergencies? yes. Big tanks? I think carrying it down the stairs is enough(instead of through the parking lot etc).

You gotta take the situation into consideration, but don't forget the cost of the water you have to mix and why is my salinity/gravity (?) so high when I follow the instructions?...1.26

I like the 1.24 the store delivers.

 

[kypatriot]

We bought an RO/DI when we got the tank, because I didn't want to perpetually buy and transport water, and we have enjoyed an unexpected benefit:

that water tastes much better than anything you could ever buy! My wife and I drink probably triple the water that we ever did before (more in line with how much water a human -should- be consuming in a day).

I did notice the amount they say to use on the mix instructions doesn't seem right (mine mixes low), but it is consistent - so I know how much I should be adding, and I just check it. I use varying salinities on my mix anyway - depending on how much I've been topping off, etc.