http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t81/a1amap/Fish%20and%20Coral%20Photographs/?albumview=slideshow
Along the lines of the GetTanked thread…
Anyone have any experience with Instant Ocean’s Reef Crystals salt? My parents got me a bucket of it for xmas. It’s obviously marketed as more reef ready than their standard salt (more calcium, ect.). I’m going to start slowly mixing it in with my Crystal Seas salt to see what kind of an effect is has, but was wondering what everyone’s experience with it is? (if any)
As with all salts mix it up; salt settles. I used it and it was good. I prefer Get Tanked salt though.
(Once) I did have an issue with a bad bucket that had low numbers. It took a while till I figured it was the salt not my tank. After testing the freshly made water it was low in calcium, mag and the pH started out low. Later I found the Alk was low. I figured out what was happening when Ted posted an article from RC which a lot of other people had a bad batch. This was only 1 bad bucket otherwise its good salt.
I’ve used it for years and have had very good luck with it. All parameters seem to stay consistent and high enough to kepe the tank happy and healthy.
Well I just tried IO for the first time and I am very happy with it. Reef Crystals is made by the same company. I am thinking about giving it a try when my current bucket is empty.
I had the same problem as a1amap. I had a barrel that had low numbers. Didn’t catch it until I had trouble keeping my Ca up and my coraline algae started to bleach a little. Tested the next batch of water and it was startling. Had a 2nd barrel so I threw out the current one and mixed with the new barrel. Everything looked good again. I’m still using it and that’s the only time it ever happened.
BTW - Google showed similiar problems during a period of 6 weeks or so couple months back. Chronologically it all fits.
yup, There was some manufacturing problems with IO about a year ago. I believe they were putting a new mixing line in service and some things didnt get mixed right for a while. but i think they have it straightened out now. there was a flurry of bad reading reports on RC all over the place. but that is a problem with success and expansion. You might have gotten an old bucket sitting around on the shelf for a year.
The new stuff should be fine now.