Is it bad to switch salts?

[Dcon912]

I have used oceanic salt for starting up my tank. And I was considering switching to instant ocean. Is there anything wrong with doing this? Should it be done gradually?

 

[jpkboca]

Just do it gradually with your water changes.

 

[Aquarist007]

Just be in mind that salt mixes vary in concentrations of magnesium calcium and alkalinity.

Here is a good guide:

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

 

[Flipper62]

I have always done a gradual change when changing salts. There is nothing wrong with using Instant Ocean, however with IO you will need to add supplements. There are a lot of reefers here that use IO because they want to control the amounts of supplements that are added. If you use Oceanic's Natural Sea Salt or Reef Crystals, the supplements are in there.

Here is a chart of the big 3 supplements in the salts........Thanks to BillyBeau1

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

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

IMO oceanic is way better IO, that would be a pretty big downgrade in my eyes

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14828308#post14828308 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VacavilleFC3S
IMO oceanic is way better IO, that would be a pretty big downgrade in my eyes

+1 for catching that---I agree with you completely. IO has become the bargain basement of the salt mixes.

 

[Dcon912]

Wow, after viewing the chart, I think I will stick with the oceanic. Glad I asked though, thanks guys.

 

[Tswifty]

No there's no problem at all. Since we all buffer out water change water to match the params of our display before adding it anyway... right.

IMO guys who run into problems either don't test the water before adding it, or do large percentage changes in one shot... and most likely a combination of both.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14828521#post14828521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty
No there's no problem at all. Since we all buffer out water change water to match the params of our display before adding it anyway... right.

IMO guys who run into problems either don't test the water before adding it, or do large percentage changes in one shot... and most likely a combination of both.

or continue with their same dosing routine as with the other salt without measuring