Who has good results with IO salt and SPS

[Gary Majchrzak]

Yes, I run my tanks at 1.026.

I know that RC and IO are different salts but they are the same company and I bet they use the same base for the salts and then just add some things to RC to bump up its levels. I highly doubt they start from scratch and have two different formulas.

you've contradicted yourself.
The bottom line is that 'Reef Crystals' and 'Instant Ocean' are two different artificial saltmixes with two different formulas.

 

[rtparty]

you've contradicted yourself.
The bottom line is that 'Reef Crystals' and 'Instant Ocean' are two different artificial saltmixes with two different formulas.

OK I didn't know that. I know that Instant Ocean makes Reef Crystals. I had a bad experience with Reef Crystals.

If I buy Chevy and have issues with it I certainly am not going to go buy a different model and "hope" things work out better.

 

[dja1980]

This is good stuff! I switched around 6 months ago from Tropic Marin Regular to Tropic Marin Pro for the increased Ca & Mg. I was actually planning on stepping up to the Tropic Marin Bio-Actif stuff the next time around, but I might have to rethink things based on this thread.

 

[platax88]

Let's assume that alk/ca/mg levels are not a concern... would you still recommend IO for an sps reef or is it lower in all other elements in comparison to the higher end salts, who claim that they have added elements for coral health?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

when it comes to foods, saltmixes and anything else to be placed in a reef aquarium many experienced reefkeepers are leery of anything listed as 'added elements for coral health'.

Personally, I have no problem recommending IO for SPS reef aquaria.
I go through a 200 gallon box of IO per month and it's very consistent.

 

[AD87]

I have only used Reef Crystals and Instant Ocean for the past 5 years with no issues. I have notices inconstancy with buckets of Reef Crystals for some reason. I usually pour out half the bucket and shake it up and do the same with the other half. I believe something settles in the buckets to cause issues with inconstancy.


Also lets not forget the price. I now only use Instant Ocean in the 200 gallon boxes.

 

[Ding2daDong]

I want to THANK GARY and REEFSAHOY for taking the time to post pics. They have changed my thoughts on IO.



NO, my question is not a joke. I just asked for some pics of tanks that use IO. At least GARY and REEFSAHOY took the time to post some and there was no harm in it. And so what if this threads start to split with pics. At least there would be a thread all about IO. I don't see anyone complaining about splits of skimmers, lighting, tank builds etc. etc. etc.

My current bucket of IO tested:

CA - 500+ Salifert
ALK - I didn't bother to check since its always high
Mag - 1280
Salt - 1.025

I'm going to have to try mixing the bucket as Gary stated. I never did that. Maybe thats why my CA was so high in this batch. I don't even aerate the water after I make RO/DI. These are things that I did not know to do.

It would be nice if people posted IO ONLY TANKS PICS on this thread. It wouldn't have to be just SPS tanks.

Obviously you didn't even read my post. I was commenting on the fact that you thought everyone with amazing looking corals was only because of there salt mix... And at the end I made a joke that if you wanted to see proof with pictures that so many people would post that it would soon split and said lol because it was a haha joke, do I really have to reiterate my post. It was only a paragraph and I think everyone else got it crystal clear.

So again I will say,

It is basic husbandry and good water quality that is the key to keeping beautiful and healthy corals, not salt quality or price.

I hope this helps you,

-Matthew