changing salt

[blueyota]

Hello all and thanks for taking the time to read this I am wondering if changing salt brand is a big deal i am pretty new to this awesome hobby....I have been using Instant ocean for 6 months now but just had 3 buckets of red sea salt given to me last week and just wonder if i could use it or should i sell it....thanks -Shawn

[phreezee]

Depends on what you keep, if it's softies or fish only, then I wouldn't worry about it.
Any salt is okay as long as you test and dose Ca, Alk, Mg as needed for SPS.

[Trigger Man]

When changing over salts do it slowly, normally I change 4 buckets a week, so when I start switching salts I make 2 of the 4 buckets out of the old salt brand and 2 of the new brand. Then on my next water change I go 1 bucket old brand and 3 new brand. I have had no problems to date using this method over the last 2 years and 7 brands of salt.

[digital-audiophile]

You could maybe cut the new salt with your old salt as well to make the transition. I did this when I switched from IO to KZ reefers best.

[Pan]

You could maybe cut the new salt with your old salt as well to make the transition. I did this when I switched from IO to KZ reefers best.
This is good advice...mix it make the transition gradual...each brand has different things present in different amounts...i do this as well when switching salt, but i have not for awhile now....i may in the future...have some thinking to do on that one :)

[MikeP]

If you're happy with IO and plan to keep using it you might want to just sell the Red Sea. If you think you want to switch to Red Sea and continue using it then follow the advice already given. But I don't think you should switch back and forth.

PS I guess it also depends on your tank size. If you have a small tank and the three buckets of Red Sea is going last you a long time then switch but if you have a large tank and three buckets doesn't last you all that long switching back and forth between salts in a short time period might not go so well IMO.

HTH

[blueyota]

thanks all... great info