Reef Crystal IO salt

[67Stang]

I mixed an entire bucket of Instant Ocean Reef Crystals with fresh RO/DI for my new tank and my Calcium was only 370ppm. (API test kit)

I found a thread on Reef Central about some suspect or bad batches:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1298050

Originally Posted by Coleus

Yesterday, I mixed my Ro/di fresh water with Instant Ocean Reef Crystal. Got the salanity to 35ppt (1.026) and temp is 79F and did some water testing. I found the parameter is not what it claims on the bucket

The claim:
Cal : 455ppm
Mg: 1345ppm

Well the result i am getting from my Salifer Test kit is

Cal: 400 ppm
Mg: 1230 ppm

Anyone knows why?

Thanks

[The Grizz]

I think it is time for me to switch salt as my Mg is almost no existant & it will cost me a fortune in additive to get it back up and stay there. Not to mention everything else that is required to maintain a reef tank.

What is a good salt to buy and who has the best price.

[Marlin65]

I switched to H2o as their numbers are a bit better but it is a lot more. It will still be cheaper to run IO even with supplements if cost is you prime reason.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by Marlin65

I switched to H2o as their numbers are a bit better but it is a lot more. It will still be cheaper to run IO even with supplements if cost is you prime reason.

Well the cost of supp's is high just to get levels up. But a better salt brand would reduce the amount of supp's needed. I have only been into SW for about 8 month & was told IO was the right choice of salt. It is not the Reef Crystals IO just IO. The only parameter I am having an issue with is Mg.

[Marlin65]

little silver max is the best place to get some supplements. He is closer to you than to me.

[The Grizz]

That is for sure. I was doing a little research and Red Sea Coral Salt sounds like a good brand to.