What kind of salt

sphelps · #1 06-30-2009, 04:01 PM

Yeah I would have to agree. I think IO is popular because it's cheap, available everywhere and always around and probably always will be. However I personally don't care for it because essentially every element is low including Ca, Mg, K, and so on. So when you want to use properly you got to mix up a large portion in a container then aerate it overnight, then supplement, and then verify. RC is essentially the same as regular IO, it's not worth the extra money IMO.

I prefer the plug and play, RBS. I add it directly to the sump and use the top off to add the make up water. The levels are good and consistent and I've never had a problem. If I did this with other salts I would be having huge problems. RBS also doesn't leave the white residue behind like other salts including IO.

xtreme · #2 06-30-2009, 04:10 PM

Anyone have any idea what the K measures out of the bucket for IO and RC?

sphelps · #3 06-30-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtreme

Anyone have any idea what the K measures out of the bucket for IO and RC?

I believe it's around 300

Eb0la11 · #4 06-30-2009, 05:51 PM

Thanks guys, I'll have to get a couple more test kits and maybe some supplements. Which ones do you guys suggest I get if I have IO Reef Crystals?

I find it weird that a fish store uses it exclusively with really nice results but there are these problems. I'll ask Colby if he supplements next time Im there.

xtreme · #5 06-30-2009, 05:58 PM

You'd be better off getting the supplements from the Chemmaster than the LFS. It will save you alot of money.

Aquattro · #6 06-30-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eb0la11

I find it weird that a fish store uses it exclusively with really nice results but there are these problems.

Lots of fish stores use lots of different salts with really nice results. Regardless of salt you choose, you'll need to supplement somehow just to accomodate consumption by corals. Ca, alk, and some people are concerned with MG, all get depleted, regardless of what salt you use. Now if your supplementation program (reactor, balling method) can compensate for the lower levels in your change water, it doesn't matter what the salt comes with, for the most part.
Example. I used IO for years, Ca about 360 out of the bucket. My tank was constant at about 430ppm Ca. I change 10% with a water change, my Ca drops to maybe 420ish. Still well within acceptable range, and my reactor compensates and raises the tank back to 430 in a day or two. So monitor the levels that are important to you, and figure out the trend of your tank. If your reactor/balling/dosing regime handles the difference, you don't need to worry about what is in the bucket, other than a quality salt.
To keep a nice tank does not mean having to complicate things, keep it simple, watch how the tank reacts, and adjust technique accordingly.

Eb0la11 · #7 06-30-2009, 07:09 PM

So how important is a Calcium reactor for a reef tank? Does the reactor actually dose in calcium like you described above?

Currently I wasnt planning on getting one in the initial setup of my tank. I'll have a 165G reef tank with 20G Sump/10G refugium (all in one 30 G partitioned aquarium).

I won't be getting corals until my tank is more established in 3-4 months or so. I am hoping to fill it in the next 2-4 weeks depending on when its finished being built, really....

xtreme · #8 06-30-2009, 07:22 PM

A reactor is only one method of delivering calcium and IMO wouldn't be necessary for a new tank. I have a tank with dozens of stony corals and have no problem with simple 2 part dosing. A reactor may be something to look into down the road but I wouldn't worry about one yet.

whatcaneyedo · #9 06-30-2009, 11:14 PM

According to some water tests done on various brands of salt mix the Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium of Reef Crystals is 490, 13, and 1440 respectively at a salinity of 1.026 which looks just fine to me. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1287118

To those of you who said that this salt mix would have low levels and needed to be supplemented, what levels were your test kits reading? Has Reef Crystals recently changed their formula or do you target even higher levels than those?

Eb0la11 · #10 06-30-2009, 11:30 PM

Thanks whatcaneyedo, I saw that thread. I guess I didnt read down to the reef crystals section as I thought it'd be titled "Instant Ocean Reef Crystals".

Those levels do look good, and substantially different than regular IO. I'll see how my livestock/corals do in it before I start dosing.