I haven't rolled my IO Sea Salt buckets for over a year, but that may change ....

[gregzz4]

I stopped rolling my buckets long ago and had consistent enough NSW readings

I bought 2 buckets back in July with matching batch #s
I opened one in Aug and the first 2 batches of NSW gave me;
9.6
385
1260

I could deal with the low Ca and Mag by dosing my NSW, and I'd deal with the Alk boost by turning my doser off for a day or two

I made a batch a couple days ago from the second bucket;
14.4
490
1185

It's the alk swing I'm upset about :twised:

I re-tested, used reference tests, used new Salifert kits, checked my refractometer calibration ...

How in the world am I supposed to keep my tank semi-stable when a 15% WC will take my tank from for example;
7.3
430
1380

To;
8.4
439
1350

Just last week I finished building a stand for a larger NSW tank and will be performing 25% WCs bi-monthly very soon

Look what'll happen after a 25% WC
From;
7.3
430
1380

To;
9.08
445
1331

Imagine the instant pH boost I'll get and how upset my corals will be :surprise:

You can bet I'll be rolling the bucket this week to see if it helps at all

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I rolled mine yesterday and the fish & corals seem to appreciate the extra effort.

[FishyFishy!]

Yup! Rolled mine every single time. Regardless of proof... you have to think that some elements may be heavier than others!

[blackradon]

It makes prefect sense to do so, things settle. It was a truck how many times and has been upright for even longer. Seems like good practice for sure!

[Bill@IA]

We use both Instant Ocean and Reef Crystals but only from their 200 gal mix boxes. Because it comes as 4 bags of 50 gal mix in one box you get more salt mix for your money (appx. 200 gal instead of 160) and no rolling required. Same price

[Aquattro]

Same price

Not here its not. I also use the boxes, but I pay more for a box than a bucket.

[FishyFishy!]

Not here its not. I also use the boxes, but I pay more for a box than a bucket.

Same here. Boxes are more expensive!

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Yup, boxes way more than a bucket. Almost twice the price in some cases. But I can't complain cause the lfs sells IO buckets for probably the cheapest price in Canada. However, since I use 55g barrels for my water changes, the bags would make more sense time-wise.

[Aquattro]

However, since I use 55g barrels for my water changes, the bags would make more sense time-wise.

Same. I use a 50g barrel and have it marked for one bag. No measuring salt. I also get good pricing on the box, so works out well for me.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Bags here are $12-15 each but 160g buckets are loss-leader priced as low as $29.99 so can't complain about the cost of a bucket of IO at all.

[Myka]

How in the world am I supposed to keep my tank semi-stable when a 15% WC will take my tank from for example;
7.3
430
1380

To;
8.4
439
1350

The simplest answer is to start using a brand of salt that has parameters close to what you're aiming for in your tank. High alkalinity was one of the reasons I switched away from using IO in reef tanks several years ago. I still use it on all my fish only tanks though. There isn't anything wrong with using IO in reef tanks, but if you want to keep low alkalinity it is in your reef's best interest to use something else to prevent fluctuation.

[gregzz4]

Ya, if I don't get results I like after rolling it this coming weekend I'll explore other brands

[Aquattro]

My IO is 9dKh out of the box. A bit high, but overall happy, so I use it. RBS is getting too pricey, and not really a lot of other options. They sell Seachem locally, but I wouldn't use that in my tank.

[gregzz4]

I rolled/inverted my bucket for about 5 mins
This time I got;
12.8
460
1230

I'll try rolling it some more and see if it gets any better ...

[The Guy]

I roll my new buckets of IO a little and have never had any issues at all.