oceanic salt "bad press"

I'm a mod?
Hmmm ... who to ban first?


:lmao: ... nope, just Team RC here, helpful but without powers of any sort. Probably too much a hothead to ever be a mod here ... I'd try to ban JohnL or something ;)
 
NewSchool04 said:
Hey, forgot to mention that when I used Oceanic about 6 months ago, I was getting ridiculous Ca readings. Way over 500. I stopped b/c of that but had no problems because of using it.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure why Ca readings at 500 are all that bad ? Are there really any side affects on livestock ? I know the buildup on the heater seems to be increased, but other than that I would think it would be a plus. The low Alk is another matter that does need to be corrected with dosing, but that is easy enough.

I almost think there is some bad batches out there. Many people use this salt and have no problems, myself included, but then there are those that defiantly see problems that started right when they switched.

But like all new products, if the old product (IO) is working for you, and you are happy with the results, then why switch ?
 
Im was gettin over 500 Ca readings with it to but everything in the tank seemed to be ok and as i added more calcium demanding livestock its lowering quicker .
 
But what's the purpose of such elevated levels of anything ... esp if it doesn't increase calcification [as the science guys say]?

Given Carbon/Carbonate is a lot more limiting in such environments, having the balance skewed away from carbonate IMO seems problematic to me.

IMO it's distracting ... like the focus on Nitrates when Phosphates are just as problematic in our tanks.

Anyway - I've now voiced my opinion enough ...
 
MiddletonMark,

I have two tank's I got one 200 gallon bucket becuase I heard the great things about the CA. I too had the problem were buffer was becoming a real pain in the you know what. Make a long story short. One tank is doing great and the other is not. I had all types of algea growing in my Nano. Will the larger one has no problems ( Other then the really low Alk ). I switched for two months andnoticed algea growth two weeks after I started. I thought it was a problem with the tank. So I did massive water changes on the tank and it still grow. Two months after that I went back to TM only took 3 water cahnge of 2 gallon to notice my xenia and mush rooms extend. After to weeks algea growth is reducing. It is now week three and half of the algea is gone all coral are doing great and I am not even change water as much. I tested fresh batches of the OC just to see what I got but everything read 0. As for the 90 not have that same problem could be becuase the 90 has a refuge/phosban reactor, Kalk dripp and a CA reator and runs carbon twice a month. I aggree that I can't just blam the salt. But it is one hell conciedent. If any one want to test the remaining bucket of salt feel free to do so. Also CA and ALK are back to normal. Buffering is harder the supplementing CA.

JMHO

Regards,
ZC
 
I've used Oceanic since it hit the market and I like it. I can't say I recall any thread about tank "crashes". There are general complaints about low alkalinity and some people attributing the salt switch to increased algae growth, but I really can't recall crashes.

The low alkalinity is about the cheapest and easiest thing to fix (baking/washing soda) and the higher calcium levels allow me to turn down my Ca reactor. I also just recently measured Mg for the first time in a long long time. I've used this salt exclusively since it came out, Mg measured 1350 ppm (I've never supplemented Mg). :)

I've got 3 buckets in the garage that I plan on using.
 
Mike ... good point.
I recall only a single thread about one person with anything `crash-like'. The rest are algae complaints ... or mine of pH/Alk problems ... no crashes I've heard of either.
 
I used oceanic salt in my tanks, including a 6 gallon nano. They're all doing good. I use several products in my tanks though, including kalk, kent superbuffer, and liquid reactor. Any of them would correct any problems with alk.
 
Hey Middlemark, I think I found a new signature line... Remind me to update my profile. :D

... nope, just Team RC here, helpful but without powers of any sort. Probably too much a hothead to ever be a mod here ... I'd try to ban JohnL or something
Click to expand...
 
oceanic is high in calcium but this can be a good thing.
No need to dose Kalk.
and provides all the calcium the corals need depending on your coral load.
Aside from that the ca is high, but not ridiclously high even for light coral loads.
 
I have had my 175G reef up for about 12 months now and have used Red Sea, then Reef Crystals, now Oceanic.

I started with Red Sea, but had very low Calcium levels. Since I use RO water I figure that may be part of the issue, but my calcium levels were around 300 to 350.

I changed to Reef Crystals since they claim they add extra calcium, but the calcium level was still around 300-350. I would add ESV Two part a few times a week to maintain 350 CA level, but for some reason my substrate would start to get hard and clump together.

I heard that oceanic had high calcium levels so I started using that. I've been using it for the last 6 months and Calcium is a steady 450 and PH stays very stable. However I did notice that the alkalinity is now much lower so I compensate for that with a little buffer once or twice a week. Other than that, I add no additives and all my corals look great and my sand is not clumping up.
 
jakpit,

[welcome]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. You just joined the board and already are being proactive. Excellent. :)
 
I've used IO, reef crystals, TM (not the pro), crystal seas, and now oceanic.

My thoughts: great Ca, Mg, low alk. Alk is by far the cheapest, easiest to fix with baking soda (much much cheaper than adding Ca and/or Mg supplements!). Mixes fast. Despite others, have never ever testing any phosphate in new batches with salifert. And I've been using it since it came out.
Cons: Very powdery and messy. Especially when pouring as it tends to go everywhere. Bucket says 200g but like every other salt out there is makes up nowhere near than (usually 150ish with a SG of 1.025-1.026).

Still trying to decide whether I want to alternate IO and Oceanic to note any subjective differences..

John
 
We use IO, never used anything else. The only thing we found with the IO is that the Magnesium was low therefore lowering our Calcium. I dont know if it was the batch that we ordered or what but all we did was up the Mag and everything is fine. Just cant keep the Calcium up due to all the LPS and calcium sucking clam :)
 
I went back to I/O. Got a 160gal bucket today for 31.99 dollars! Here's a secret: print Petsmart's webpage with the ad and take it to their store. They will honor the online price! Saved me 15 bucks off their shelf price ;)
 
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