Proof that Oceanic Salt is BAD!!!!

[gatohoser]

Blaming people on bad tank habits is uncalled for imo. I treat my tank very well.

I don't think you're talking to me but just in case, I don't blame ebacon for doing anything wrong but his algae problem can obviously be attributed to more than a bad batch of salt. I hope you are just taking this as help ebacon because I don't mean to make you feel like it isn't your salt helping your algae problem.

 

[arconom]

"I'll place the blame where it belongs, on bad husbandry."

So after these people started using the salt they decided to have poor husbandry?

 

[ebacon]

gatohoser, no offense taken whatsoever this is a insightful and theological discussion nothing more.

As far as "bad husbandry" this does not necessarily mean that someone is purposefully neglecting the tank. There are many variables and human factors involved in this hobby. Most of which can change even if the owner and his habits do not. So maybe a better definition would be a husbandry issue that results in an undesirable effect. Either way the point is that things change without people knowingly changing them. Some examples would be bulbs that no longer have the same spectrum (overuse, bad ballast, cheap bulb, manf defect etc) It could be that someone changed their RO filter with one that didn't perform as exactly as the previous, it could be that a spouse switched dryer sheets that are now scented and place a perfume in the air that is managing to pollute the tank. (no really it CAN happen) it could be that you are using a ribbed return hose and over time it has turned into one big nitrate factory. And yes yet another could be a bad batch of salt or even a salt that has an unusual reaction with some other factor in your tank that was never even considered. The point of this thread was for one person to report that they suspect bad salt and inquire if others have experienced the same. If you have then please offer suggestions on salt that you have had success with. If you have not then "Good on ya' mate!" In any case I think we can all agree that unless someone has some valid and relevant information that has not already been contributed this thread IMO is clinically dead. Ok I have rambled enough for one day;-)

 

[AlienSpawn]

That's interesting. I thought these forums were designed to be able to share experiences and learn from each other. I think it is sad that when someone doesn't agree with an opinion being developed on a thread that they have to resort to personal bashing. I plainly stated that I had no proof but was trying to use deductive reasoning and sharing of experiences to isolate the possible cause of a problem. Some people may jump to conclusions a little quickly but that does not mean you have to automatically put their reefkeeping skills and logic on the chopping block. I also stated that I was going to change brands and report the results over time. When I have a problem in a tank that has been established for many years and never had that problem before and there has been only one significant change in my husbandry procedures do I automatically have to reject that as a possible source of the problem because it has a brand name attached to it? I would still be interested in peoples experiences AND OPINIONS and will decide for myself what to do with that information. Thank all of you as always!

 

[arconom]

Regardless of the Algae issue. It's a quality issue when your Calcium is totally off the scale and your alk is incredibly low. I'm talking right after mixing the stuff.

 

[jenghes]

Hmmm, this thread is interesting. I have had some cyano issues but have not been successful at finding the cause but have been able to keep it under control. I have been using Oceanic for several months. Today, I switched back to IO to test the theory, but saving my Oceanic salt just in case it is not the cause.

We'll see if it fixes the problem, but not counting on it.

Jen

 

[gatohoser]

well looks like your just starting your tank according to your signature. The algae cycle goes on for quite a while for most of us before it dies off for good.

 

[Treg]

My Oceanic mixes at 9.3 dKH (3.31 Alk) @ 1.024 SG. Thats not what I consider to be incredibly low. The TM Reef Pro is reported to have a much lower Alk level.

 

[jenghes]

My signature is off. The tank will be 3 years old in September.

The cyano issue basicly started when I switched salts, I just never put the 2 together.

Jen

 

[melev]

Jen, update that signature line.

 

[ebacon]

Marc,

What is your take on this?

Eric

 

[melev]

Actually, it is threads like these that make me doubt my Oceanic salt. I've even talked with the president of Oceanic two weeks ago about this topic. I was told they are even aware of these threads on RC, which was surprising and a little encouraging.

There is some discussion that Oceanic may produce a "Reef Blend" with the higher salinity yet correct Ca levels. I have no idea if and when that will happen.

Currently, I have 54g of RO/DI water circulating and warming up, and am about to add my salt. However, just for my own knowledge, I mixed up 1g of saltwater about 2 hours ago, and I'm going to test it for PO4 and Silicates. If the numbers are okay, I guess I'll mix up a barrel of water for a badly needed water change. If I don't like the numbers, I have new buckets of Kent Sea Salt coming in tomorrow.

 

[Treg]

I've tested fresh mixed Oceanic several times for PO4 With the D-D (Merck) Phosphate test kit I bought from Doug @ Deltec.us and my Salifert PO4 kit. I've never detected any Phosphates in a fresh mix. I have never tested for Silicates though.

If Oceanic produces a new "Reef Blend" salt I would love to try it. Thanks for the heads up marc. Interested in hearing your results too.

 

[Pike]

Please add my anecdotal "Me too!" to this thread. All things being equal: waterchange amt/frequency, water parameters, etc... My last waterchange (1 week ago) with Oceanic instead of IO netted me some very peculiar slimy brown algae after 3 days. Totally new phenomenon this brown stuff. Never seen it in my aquarium before.

LFS was out of IO, I picked up the Oceanic because it had a pretty label. GOGO marketing

 

[ebacon]

Pike dont feel to bad, Ive been hooked on the Coralife becasue of the free T-shirt and the 29.95 price tag. Im just wondering if I should switch to Kent "just to see what happens"

 

[ebacon]

29.95 is for a 150 gal bucket BTW

 

[melev]

We pay about $60 or more for a 200g bucket here in Texas. Shipping is killer. Our club does group buys, so that we can get Oceanic or Kent for $35 to $40 a bucket two or three times a year.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

I read the first page and then I came to page 12 to respond. I have tried every single salt out there at one time or another. I can tell you with 200 % confidence, that Oceanic is the best salt that I have ever used. My tank looks better than it looked 2 years ago. If you copy and click on the link at the bottom of my post, that was my tank 2 years ago. I started using Oceanic about 7 months ago, I won't say that Oceanic is the total reason that my tank is doing so well, but from what I read at the top of page one, I can guarantee you that Oceanic has not hurt my tank in any way shape or form. Again, I didn't read pages 2 - 11, but I would be more incline to except your results if you had used a glass container instead of a plastic bucket in which its properties could possibly have a reaction in your test. Nothing that you have stated on page 1 has causeed any alarm in my book, and I don't have a speck of nuisance algae, brown, red or green in my tank. I strongly disagree with your remarks but I respect your right to state that which you believe. No disrespect to anyone who differs.

Mucho

 

[AlienSpawn]

Thanks MUCHO. That was a very civilized and respectful opinion that opposes some of the others. Unlike those that prefer to SLAM the other members whose opinion differs.

 

[Zoom]

I have use 12 200G buckets and i check every one when i open it.
I have not yet faund one that was bad in any way.
I have some algae before when i use IO and still have some here and three not bad at all.
I had some hair algae with IO but none with Ocaeanic only some small about one inches patches of cyno in a three or four areas in my reef but i feed like pig and have very heavy Bio load.