Salt

[meanmachine]

I'm currently using OCEANIC, and was thinking about switching to either INSTANT OCEAN or REEF CRYSTALS. Of the the two (IO or RC) which is better to use?

 

[Paintbug]

from my experience with IO i doesnt like to be mixed with other salts. or atleast Kent Marine salt . why do you want to change?

 

[meanmachine]

My calcium level has been spiking and i haven't been using any additives.. So i believe it may be the Oceanic Salt i've been using

 

[TekCat]

Having lots of Calcium I suppose is a good thing. How high is your Ca?

 

[meanmachine]

600 +

 

[TekCat]

Just to be on safe side, have your LFS test your water. It is not likely (if you dose nothing and you use Oceanic salt) that you get 600+ Ca.

 

[PiNaPLeX]

I use Oceanic, and so do many of my friends. Everyone I know that uses it has very high calcium (500+). I've also read threads on this site about other reefers who have high calcium using Oceanic.

 

[One Eyed Bunny]

I want high Ca levels! I'm only gettin' around 300... I need atleast 400. That's with Oceanic AND Ca supps.

 

[Billybeau1]

To answer your original question, RC has more calcium than IO. Not as much as Oceanic though.

 

[Red Serpent]

I have been using Oceanic salts for about 6 months. I had a high calcium level untill I started to use a alkalinity sup. The calcium levels have slowly dropped to around 460. I would try adding a alkalinity sup untill you run out of salt mix then change to a new mix. May save a little money if you have a lot of salt.

 

[rbp 4 135]

i use oceanic, my calcium is also 600 +. Oceanic does have a high calcium concentration, how ever this might not be bad when you start to add inhabitants that use calcium rapidly. stonys, clams ect. Also my alk is 9 dkh so i do not want to add an alk buffer.

 

[GreyG35]

I had the same problem with Oceanic -- CA 600ppm+. Couldn't get the Alk in line until I switched salt. Changed to Crystal Sea Marine Mix, but I'm not sure I like it (takes a long time to clear up), plus I think some of my soft corals were growing better with the Oceanic. I was thinking of trying IO, since so many people swear by it...