Instant Ocean vs Reef Crystal (?)

[Ron Cote]

Other than a small price difference is one product better than the other and why would be appreciated?

My first SW tank (120g). I have my plumbing complete with skimmer connected and about to start my RO/DI process.
Thanks in advance.
Ron

 

[MalHavoc]

Both are decent salts. I use IO, myself, but it probably doesn't matter in the long run. IO is easy for me to get, and it's cheap.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11532087#post11532087 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Here is a list of what I measured for the big three in a number of the salt mixes we use today. This is intended as a guideline and I, in no way, guarantee these figures. All I can say is they were all tested under the same conditions, with a number of different brand test kits, using the same methods for each test. I believe these numbers are reasonably what you can expect from these salts mixed at 35 ppt or 1.0264

A special thanks to Bertoni for putting it in nice form.


<table align=center><tr><td valign=top></td><td valign=top><p align=center style='text-align:center'>Calcium &nbsp&nbsp</p></td><td valign=top><p align=center style='text-align:center'>Alkalinity&nbsp &nbsp</p></td><td valign=top><p align=center style='text-align:center'>Magnesium</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>Aquatic Gardens</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 430</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 8</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1240</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p >CoraLife</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 560</p></td><td valign=top sp 9><p>&nbsp&nbsp 9</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1380</p></td></tr> <tr><td valign=top ><p>Crystal Sea Marinemix&nbsp &nbsp</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 340</p></td><td valign=top ><p >&nbsp&nbsp 9</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1050</p></td></tr> <tr><td valign=top ><p>Crystal Sea Marinemix Bio-Assay&nbsp &nbsp</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 340</p></td><td valign=top ><p >&nbsp&nbsp 9</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1050</p></td></tr> <tr><td valign=top ><p>Instant Ocean&nbsp &nbsp</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 350</p></td><td valign=top ><p >&nbsp&nbsp 12</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1070</p></td></tr> <tr><td valign=top ><p>Kent&nbsp &nbsp</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 540</p></td><td valign=top ><p >&nbsp&nbsp 11</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1200</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>Marine Environment</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 480</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 7.5</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1450</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>Oceanic</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 580</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 8.5 </p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1650</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>OceanPure</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 510</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 10</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1320</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>Red Sea</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 400</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 8</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1300</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>Red Sea Coral Pro</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 490</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 7</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1300</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>Reef Crystals</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 420</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 12</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1260</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>SeaChem Marine Salt</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 500</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 10</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1400</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>SeaChem Reef Salt</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 540</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 10</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1450</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>Tropic Marin</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 375</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 10</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1230</p></td></tr> <tr ><td valign=top ><p>Tropic Marin Pro Reef</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 450</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 8.5</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1380</p></td></tr><tr ><td valign=top ><p>Tunze Reef Salt</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 420</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 9.5</p></td><td valign=top ><p>&nbsp&nbsp 1350</p></td></tr> </table>

 

[xJake]

The only real differences are that Instant Ocean has lower levels of calcium and magnesium and costs less. These can easily be raised to Reef Crystals' levels with bulk chemicals; calcium chloride (dowflake) and magnesium chloride (magflake). If you're ordering in bulk and you don't mind adding a bit of these bulk chemicals to your mix then go with IO and save some money. If you don't feel comfortable with doing this, or you just don't want the hassle then go with Reef Crystals. Either is a good salt, but if you can do it for less $ with the same results then why not?

 

[Ron Cote]

Great info and quick response guys.

Thanks!

 

[Gdubb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12945232#post12945232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8

looks like oceanic and coralife have good marks and are fairly inexpensive

 

[Tswifty]

It all depends what you're shooting for. The SeaChem Reef Salt is the closest to the levels I shoot for. A little high on the Ca side though. I use ReefCrystals though. I'm just leary to make a switch, since everything has gone so well in my tank thus far.

It's nice having it in this format though. It was great of Billybeau1 & bertoni to do it for us. Also, it can let you know if you've gotten a bad batch of salt.

The actual thread can be found in the reef chemisty forum:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118

 

[JLAURIA751]

my LFS said that reef crystals is best for a reef aquarium. But im getting good results with coralife. it was the same price as Instant ocean about $0.30 per gallon. $47 for 150 gallon bucket Io was $48 for a 160 gallon bucket.

 

[fattyratrat]

wow, that is an awesome chart....

 

[Gdubb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12945527#post12945527 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
It all depends what you're shooting for. The SeaChem Reef Salt is the closest to the levels I shoot for. A little high on the Ca side though. I use ReefCrystals though. I'm just leary to make a switch, since everything has gone so well in my tank thus far.

It's nice having it in this format though. It was great of Billybeau1 & bertoni to do it for us. Also, it can let you know if you've gotten a bad batch of salt.

The actual thread can be found in the reef chemisty forum:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1287118

I just started a 110g and I am using TMP, I just dont want to dose alot so I will see what happens.

Since the tank is cycling I am just using IO but from there on will be TMP

 

[LJA]

I use IO Reef Crystals just because it was the cheapest. I paid something like $40 shipped from Dr. Foster & Smith for a 160 gallon bucket. I also wanted one that had a high level of alkalinity.

That chart posted above is what I went by, great reference.

 

[Nano Chris]

I use RC. Supposed to have more calcium and trace elements.

 

[drparker]

I had used RC but after having been caught twice with bad buckets, I switched to Tropic Marin Pro and will stick with it.