Instant Ocean --> Reef Crystals

[xxxbadfishxxx]

what would be the best way to switch salts, i am just not getting enough Calcium from Instant Ocean, and want to switch to Reef Crystals which i beleive is also made by IO, can i simply just switch?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[jsdratm]

Yeah, there shouldn't be any negative impact from upgrading your salt. I use reef crystals and have had no problems.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

ya like js said, you can just switch over. Just have to make sure that you mix it to the same sg and get the same pH and temp, just like always. I too am just switching from IO to reef crystals, tho i havent yet...i just got my bucket of it in the mail (well..not the mail box, but my door) a few days ago...i'll prolly start using it in a few days.

 

[DrBegalke]

You won't get enough calcium from any salt mix, unless maybe you do frequent near 100% water changes...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8296141#post8296141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sir_dudeguy
ya like js said, you can just switch over. Just have to make sure that you mix it to the same sg and get the same pH and temp, just like always. I too am just switching from IO to reef crystals, tho i havent yet...i just got my bucket of it in the mail (well..not the mail box, but my door) a few days ago...i'll prolly start using it in a few days.

you can get it for like 35 bucks online, but it says extra shipping, how much did you pay for shipping? who did you order from?

I realize i wont get enough calcium, but hopefully more then i have now.

 

[jasert39]

dr foster smith doesnt charge extra for shipping salt now.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

you can get it for like 35 bucks online, but it says extra shipping, how much did you pay for shipping? who did you order from?

i got it from drsfostersmith.com
Like you say, they sell it for 34.99 (ok 35 lol) but unlike jasert said...they DO charge for shipping of it, tho it isnt much. Just 10 bucks, anywhere in the us (tho i thnk if you're in the same state, they put a tax on it lol)

 

[xtrstangx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8296404#post8296404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sir_dudeguy
i got it from drsfostersmith.com
Like you say, they sell it for 34.99 (ok 35 lol) but unlike jasert said...they DO charge for shipping of it, tho it isnt much. Just 10 bucks, anywhere in the us (tho i thnk if you're in the same state, they put a tax on it lol)

If you buy like 6 buckets, its only like $12 or something in shipping TOTAL.. Dr F&S takes a huuuge loss on that one.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

lol i'd go poor if i got 6 buckets tho Even tho i'd be paying basically nothing for shipping. That is a great shipping price tho when you think about it. Those are 50lb bucketts.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

yeah, i just checked and shipping for a bucket and 2 30lb bags of Caribsea Arag. sand is only 10 bucks. I am moving in like 2 months and will def. be ordering from them, is shipping always like this, or is this a speacial?

 

[vessxpress1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8296160#post8296160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBegalke
You won't get enough calcium from any salt mix, unless maybe you do frequent near 100% water changes...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Agreed...over the long term. But at least he won't be depleting his calcium level at every water change.

I just switched last fall. No problem whatsoever.

 

[Slickdonkey]

I agree with DrBegalke. I made the switch a few months ago and switching salts is no way to keep your Ca/Alk up. Really you need to think about kalkwasser topoff or a calcium reactor to accomplish this goal.

 

[otterpop510]

heard that slowly switching may be best in reduce any type of shock to your tank.. in switching from oceanic to reef crystals i'm doing 75/25%, then 50/50%, then 25/75% and eventually 100% reef crystals.

since IO makes reef crystals this may not be necessary, but if you want to be extra careful switching salts slowly may be an easy precaution.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I dont really know what kind of shock there would be tho....as long as you keep the temp, sg, and pH the same or almost the same, you shouldnt have problems with that as far as i know.

 

[fsn77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8298192#post8298192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by otterpop510
heard that slowly switching may be best in reduce any type of shock to your tank.. in switching from oceanic to reef crystals i'm doing 75/25%, then 50/50%, then 25/75% and eventually 100% reef crystals.

since IO makes reef crystals this may not be necessary, but if you want to be extra careful switching salts slowly may be an easy precaution.

When I switched I did something similar to this, although it was pretty much 50/50 IO/RC until I ran out of IO. At the time, I didn't know if switching would or could cause any type of problem, but figured better safe than sorry. Besides, I wanted to start getting the RC in our tank asap, even if it was only at a 50/50 ratio. I didn't have any problems and our corals have thanked me for switching.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

so i should see a difference after switching to reef crystals? i know it wont keep my calcium up, but i heard its better then IO, and i have mostly soft corals, so i dont think i am using too much calcium.

 

[Billybeau1]

Reef Crystals is currently running about 420 calcium at 1.026. 11 dkh and 1290 or so mag. You should be fine.

I disagree that no salt will give you high calcium levels.

Oceanic and Coralife are in the mid to high 500's in calcium. Unfortunately there are other problems with these salts that I dont care for.