Instant Ocean salt SUCKS!
- Thread starter xenon
- Start date
crazyguy34834
New member
I just use instant ocean now because I got it on sale for $30 for a 160g bucket, so I bought two 
. It has changed formulas recently so make sure you are testing a newer batch of this salt. The formula is more balanced now and some people get the same readings as they do for reef crystals.
. It has changed formulas recently so make sure you are testing a newer batch of this salt. The formula is more balanced now and some people get the same readings as they do for reef crystals.
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Salt mixes come in different shapes and sizes because all of our tanks are different shapes and sizes. 
Heavily stocked sps tanks can use Oceanic because of the rapid consumption of calcium.
Fish only tanks only need IO because they use hardly any calcium.
Some have Alk in the 12's, some have alk in the 9's.
Some have mag in the low 1000's some have mag in the middle 1600's
You see, it is all what works for the individual to help keep their water parameters in check.
Out of the major brands, there is no bad salt. Only ones that make it difficult on the consumer. As someone stated earlier, it is easier to add then to take away.
And all of the bunk in the Inland project about metals this and metals that is.... well..... bunk.
I always say, if your tank looks good, it is good, and when you find a salt that works, stick with it.
In case you're wondering what I use ?
Reef Crystals mostly and occasionally Coralife.
Works for me.
Heavily stocked sps tanks can use Oceanic because of the rapid consumption of calcium.
Fish only tanks only need IO because they use hardly any calcium.
Some have Alk in the 12's, some have alk in the 9's.
Some have mag in the low 1000's some have mag in the middle 1600's
You see, it is all what works for the individual to help keep their water parameters in check.
Out of the major brands, there is no bad salt. Only ones that make it difficult on the consumer. As someone stated earlier, it is easier to add then to take away.
And all of the bunk in the Inland project about metals this and metals that is.... well..... bunk.
I always say, if your tank looks good, it is good, and when you find a salt that works, stick with it.
In case you're wondering what I use ?
Reef Crystals mostly and occasionally Coralife.
Works for me.
plyle02
Active member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10061633#post10061633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Salt mixes come in different shapes and sizes because all of our tanks are different shapes and sizes.
Heavily stocked sps tanks can use Oceanic because of the rapid consumption of calcium.
Fish only tanks only need IO because they use hardly any calcium.
Some have Alk in the 12's, some have alk in the 9's.
Some have mag in the low 1000's some have mag in the middle 1600's
You see, it is all what works for the individual to help keep their water parameters in check.
Out of the major brands, there is no bad salt. Only ones that make it difficult on the consumer. As someone stated earlier, it is easier to add then to take away.
And all of the bunk in the Inland project about metals this and metals that is.... well..... bunk.
I always say, if your tank looks good, it is good, and when you find a salt that works, stick with it.
In case you're wondering what I use ?
Reef Crystals mostly and occasionally Coralife.
Works for me.
Well said.....
Randall_James
Premium Member
Re: Instant Ocean salt SUCKS!
I have tested IO for CA levels and it is pretty consistent at 380-390 (well within acceptable limits) and RC is usually around 425. PH is pretty irrelevant to me as I age my water at least 24 hours and the ph is always at around 8.2 when I start the water change.
IO and RC are made by the same people. The RC has a slightly higher CA content. I have used them both for years and never had issues with either of them. At $30 a bucket I think RC is a pretty decent product for the money. I buy IO when it is cheap as well.
I have tested IO for CA levels and it is pretty consistent at 380-390 (well within acceptable limits) and RC is usually around 425. PH is pretty irrelevant to me as I age my water at least 24 hours and the ph is always at around 8.2 when I start the water change.
Randall_James
Premium Member
Oh heres an article by RHF last month that addresses salt.. He too agrees that there is not a perfect salt, he also supplements his mix (IO)
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php
waterfaller1
New member
I don't understand how you think that a water change is going to alter the chemistry of the entire tank? And keep it there?
You are doing perhaps a 10% water change, even if it is more....but meanwhile daily your coral, coraline, etc is utilizing the elements. If you have a decent sized tank with an average amount of corals, you are still going to have to dose, have a CA reactor, or something....
You are doing perhaps a 10% water change, even if it is more....but meanwhile daily your coral, coraline, etc is utilizing the elements. If you have a decent sized tank with an average amount of corals, you are still going to have to dose, have a CA reactor, or something....
aquarius77
In Memoriam
I use reef crystals and i just tested my tank at 1230 mag, i dont know if i have ignored the mag in there for too long or if the bucket i have been using is maybe low in mag? I normally dont run tests on my salt mix but im going to do a few next time i mix.
cham
New member
Its really not that difficult to use IO, I currenlty use RC but all you have to do is spend a few minutes to figure out what the average batch of IO mixes up to and its pretty consistant from there.
I know when I make a 30 gallon batch of IO water I need to add 6 tsp of Dow flake & 1 cup of Mag flake. I don't test the water, I mix up the water and add it. A years supply of these two elements can be purchased for $20 and it allows you to use IO that is much cheaper and easier to get ($29 bucket).
IMHO
I know when I make a 30 gallon batch of IO water I need to add 6 tsp of Dow flake & 1 cup of Mag flake. I don't test the water, I mix up the water and add it. A years supply of these two elements can be purchased for $20 and it allows you to use IO that is much cheaper and easier to get ($29 bucket).
IMHO
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
It seems no salt mix is perfect. I balance out IO's low Ca and high Alk with Oceanic's high Ca and low Alk. I mix the two 50/50. The Mg is still low though.
Fraggle Rock2
New member
IO isn't marketed as a reef salt. It's a marine fish salt. So, it's good for that.
I, and I assume most others, use it because it is cheap. There are also many users with a long history of use which offers plenty of evidence that IO works well as a reef salt. It is also often on sale for a very very good price.
Tossing in a bit of CaCl and MgCl seems worth it IMO.
I, and I assume most others, use it because it is cheap. There are also many users with a long history of use which offers plenty of evidence that IO works well as a reef salt. It is also often on sale for a very very good price.
Tossing in a bit of CaCl and MgCl seems worth it IMO.
tkeracer619
New member
Actually 20 cents per gallon cheap
Oceanic has the same price points as IO on Dr. F&S 20 cents per gallon.
My next batch of salt will probably be 5 buckets of IO and 4 of Oceanic. I think im going to try the 50/50 ratio. $320 for 1600Gallons worth of salt. If I ordered Tropic Marin I could only get 1000 gallons worth of salt mix for the same amount of $$$.
LobsterOfJustice, what kind of numbers do you get with the 50/50 mix and how long do you age the water before testing?
Rhodesholar
New member
John G Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has been using IO for years. I was there several months ago and asked. The new Georigia Aquarium uses IO and so does a few others that escape me at the moment. If IO was crap, why would these world renowned aquariums use the stuff?
reefinmike
New member
i do believe instand ocean is formulated to go with tap water... i may be wrong but thats what ive heard
lukinrats
Premium Member
I have been talked into using Marine Environment, the same people who make the bio-sea marine... I really have nothing to offer in the way of info, because I am just starting to build my reef... I decided on the salt because of all the reading, and a few people who recommended it... It is said that dosing is either non-existent or seldom when using these salts, just water changes... If this proves to be the case for me, then WOW!! That would be great... I dont want to run reactors, or dose 2 part, or any of that stuff, which is what I have been told can be accomplished... I also am hoping this to be the salt I stay with from the start
I can tell you that I have mixed 3 batches so far and it is consistent.
CA= 475
Mag= Around 1600
DKH= 3.5 to 4***
I know that DKH sounds strange... I have asked all the people that I can find using the salt, and the same answer is given everytime... They say that the DKH is obviously not actually that low, because all of their tanks, and corals are thriving... A few people say that they tried raising it to the normal levels recommended, and had a major precipitation... They decided to leave it alone, and have had nothing but good results since
I think there are also some great customer reviews on premium aquatics website when looking at the two salts mentioned
I can tell you that I have mixed 3 batches so far and it is consistent.
CA= 475
Mag= Around 1600
DKH= 3.5 to 4***
I know that DKH sounds strange... I have asked all the people that I can find using the salt, and the same answer is given everytime... They say that the DKH is obviously not actually that low, because all of their tanks, and corals are thriving... A few people say that they tried raising it to the normal levels recommended, and had a major precipitation... They decided to leave it alone, and have had nothing but good results since
I think there are also some great customer reviews on premium aquatics website when looking at the two salts mentioned
Billybeau1
Premium Member
Well luk, you got me on that one.
How can a salt mix test properly at 3.5 to 4 dkh and be acceptable. ?
I'll tell you what I think. I think the salt tests at 3.5 to 4 meg/l. That equates to about 10 to 11 dkh which is a fine place to be.
And there is absolutely no reason for mag to be 1600 ppm. Thats Oceanics problem as well.
How can a salt mix test properly at 3.5 to 4 dkh and be acceptable. ?
I'll tell you what I think. I think the salt tests at 3.5 to 4 meg/l. That equates to about 10 to 11 dkh which is a fine place to be.
And there is absolutely no reason for mag to be 1600 ppm. Thats Oceanics problem as well.
