I tried both TM and TM Pro I did not liked the low alkalinity (7 to 8 dKh) although the Pro has right levels of Calcium and Magnesium.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10748663#post10748663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by etrigo29
i'm thinking of Tropic Marin, the pH has been stuck at 7.78 and I'd like to get something with a better pH. Do many people use this type of salt?
Oceanic has high calcium and magnesium and low alkaliniy so if making water changes with it your calcium will not come down and could even make it worst.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10750029#post10750029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lmracing8l
I use Oceanic and don't specifically have a problem with slime, not a big problem anyway. I do have slime in my water change bucket and that white stuff that collects at the bottom of it. It completely covers the pump in the bucket. My bucket is inside, covered, no lights. My problem is the CA. It is way too high and I can't get it to come down. I thought WC would do it, but it is not helping. I will be changing brands to see if that is the problem.
Calcium normal range is 420 ppm, alkalinity is OK, are you adding any supplements or have a reactor?, I wonder if Oceanic is still low in alkalinity.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10758346#post10758346 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pantala
My BC14 is about five weeks old and I just found this thread. I have been using Oceanic salt with grocery store RO water since the beginning.
From what I gather, Oceanic is high in calcium and low in alkalinity. In my testing, the calcium has always been high, 520+ ppm but the alk has also been high, around 10 dKH. pH is around 8.2. Aren't these parameters acceptable?
I did notice some sludge in the bottom of the mixing bucket I use.
I will probably switch to IO or Reef Crystals when I'm done with this container, but it will take a while.
Can you test the alkalinity of new water batch with Oceanic and report back? Seems unusual, just to be sure that there is not something else in your tank adding alkalinity.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10758849#post10758849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pantala
No supplements or reactor. I bought some Kent Marine Tech CB two-part in anticipation of supplementing, but haven't had to so far.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10751003#post10751003 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
Oceanic has high calcium and magnesium and low alkaliniy so if making water changes with it your calcium will not come down and could even make it worst.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10759957#post10759957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdieck
Can you test the alkalinity of new water batch with Oceanic and report back? Seems unusual, just to be sure that there is not something else in your tank adding alkalinity.
That is unusual.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10761506#post10761506 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pantala
Just tested some water mixed last night: 10 dKH.
I know that high calcium and high alkalinity together are contradictory. At what levels does precipitation start occurring?
I tried both salts as well as the one I am using now Reef Crystals and have seen the brown film. In my opinion they are different, while the one in oceanic was more slimy and showed up one or two days after preparing the mix, the one in Oceanic and RC shows up as soon as it is dissolved and is more like mud or dirt. I think in the case of IO and RC, either the manufacturer might be using clay as an anticaking agent or the salt they use for the formulation has lots of dirt in it.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10781320#post10781320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mavrk
Wow, some threads never die. I always used NSW in the past, but am mixing my own this time around (NSW is not as cheap around here). Anyway, I went with Oceanic because of the cost. My mixing bucket gets a brown slime to it like people have reported in this post. I am going to switch to IO. I was considering RC, but it is too difficult to get in bulk without going through the Internet (although Drs F&S have it on sale, which makes me want to get it). I do like the quick spread of coralline I am seeing, but the mixing bucket thing bugs me. I am about a year away from reef, so I think IO will be fine.