new IO test results

[Gary Majchrzak]

my test results @ S.G. 1.026 using refracto and Salifert tests

alkalinity 12.8 dKH = 4.57 meq./L
calcium 430ppm
magnesium 1230ppm
pH 8.3

The new Instant Ocean does not show "more calcium " on the label.

I have said this before and you can take it for what it's worth. The makers of IO and RC did not want a big fanfare for this slight increase in their formula. After all, they were already the most used salt of any in the industry by over 50 %. Why rock the boat.

As far as I know, the only way to tell if you got the new IO or RC is to test it at 35 ppt or 1.0264 and see what the numbers are. I don't recall them changing the picture on the box from the past.

Old IO is usually 350 ppm calcium and 1070 ppm magnesium.
New IO should be about 400 ppm and 1350 ppm magnesium or so.

Old RC was about 420 ppm calcium and 1260 ppm magnesium
New RC is about 490 ppm and about 1440 ppm.

Thats how you can tell the difference.

 

[diverdick]

Gary, do you use IO? I have used only RC (I don't want to hear how bad it is either...lol). I am thinking of turning to IO to reduce some costs.

--Rich

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

as you already know....

as you already know....

I've used a number of salt brands over the years.
I like IO and RC. Although I've dabbled with other brands I've never come up with any significant reasons not to use IO or RC.
IO has always been (basically) RC without the extra boost of calcium and magnesium. The extra Ca and Mg is easily supplemented (if desired).
IO has always allowed more room for customized "tweaking" at a reduced cost.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

+1. Probably 80% of the salt I've used over the years has been IO. It's cheap, widespread, and provides a good base to supplement. The $8-$10 more a bucket of RC costs can be made up with nickles and dimes in DIY supplements.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

fwiw

fwiw

430ppm Ca is quite acceptable to me. I don't need a saltmix with calcium over 450ppm.
1230ppm Mg is a little bit lower than I like.
LaCl2 dosing drops alkalinity, so I like saltmixes that boost alkalinity.
My other fav saltmix is Oceanic. Sometimes I'll blend Oceanic with IO.

I'm running the "new" IO right now. I'll be able to comment on the results of the new blend better in a month.

 

[diverdick]

Thanks for the breakdown Gary.....

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

430ppm Ca is quite acceptable to me. I don't need a saltmix with calcium over 450ppm.
1230ppm Mg is a little bit lower than I like.
LaCl2 dosing drops alkalinity, so I like saltmixes that boost alkalinity.
My other fav saltmix is Oceanic. Sometimes I'll blend Oceanic with IO.

I'm running the "new" IO right now. I'll be able to comment on the results of the new blend better in a month.

nothing to post but high praises for IO

 

[diverdick]

A little bump in the Mg. and we are off!

Thanks again!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

oh yeah :bounce1:

 

[sg1838]

So, is the new Instant Ocean better than Reef Crystals then?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

What's your criteria for "better?"

 

[Ellery]

Hmm Just in time I need to do a large order to stock up again if I can find a sale at Petsmart.

 

[sg1838]

What's your criteria for "better?"

Less crap, more good stuff, and cheaper? :spin2:

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

although RC and IO are a very similar mix (barring their different levels of Ca, Mg and price) it could be put this way:

IO might be considered "better" than RC because you can save some money and customize what levels you want.

You can get Ca and Mg salts fairly cheap at BRS nowadays

 

[sg1838]

You can get Ca and Mg salts fairly cheap at BRS nowadays

You mean, like the ones I already have??? :celeb2:

Thanks guys - sounds like I'll start buying IO (of course, my yearly savings won't be near what the two of yours will be!)

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

fwiw: I really like the results I'm seeing using tweaked IO

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

update

update

nothing but praise for IO.

and check out the savings:

$49.99 for a box (200 gallons) of IO (not including tax)= $12.50 per 50 gallons of mix. Wow.

It costs me mere pennies to boost Mg above 1230ppm if I choose to do so.
(1230ppm seems to be a good averaged level of Mg in IO lately).

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Gary-

Are you testing Ca, Alk, and Mg with each new box? (I'm assuming that each 50 gallon bag within a box are all from the same batch.)

Methinks I'll be switching soon. I like the idea of a single bag to mix in my 55 gallon barrels. I think I'd see a real increase in consistency.

I still have two buckets of Seachem left (which I like), but the single bag per mixing batch and the price of IO are two great selling points.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Gary-

Are you testing Ca, Alk, and Mg with each new box? (I'm assuming that each 50 gallon bag within a box are all from the same batch.)

yes and yes.

I've been using magnesium sulfate to boost Mg and I'm sure you know what that is, Scott

 

[block head]

just curious gary, are u able to get 50 gallons out of 50 g bag at .026 ? i'm having a hard time getting to .020 at the 1cup/to 2 gallon ratio they claim w/ RC. that and the ring around the bucket brown sludge i'm getting makes me wonder.