I'm changing salt

Myka · #1 01-04-2011, 08:19 PM

I have been thinking of trying something else too. I have tried pretty much everything on the market until about 5 years ago I quit experimenting and went back to good ole IO. I was tempted to experiment again with H2Ocean seeing as it is a natural salt, so I figured if there is ever a different this should be it. I just did a year of H2Ocean, and the only difference between H2Ocean and IO in my opinion is that H2O has lower alkalinity (8-9 dKH compared to IO's 11-12 dKH), also with H2O I don't have to add calcium to the water change mix (although with both I have to add magnesium and potassium), oh and the price! I'm just finishing up my last bucket of H2Ocean, and I'm wondering if I should bother buying another bucket of it or not.

I really don't think it matters. I haven't found a bucket of salt yet that I don't have to supplement before I even use it, and why pay more for one that is more complete when it's cheaper to just supplement while mixing it up?

Argh...I wish there was a simple answer.

globaldesigns · #2 01-04-2011, 08:25 PM

Greg, I agree that Reefer's Best is very hard to find... I have told Kevin @ Red Coral to get me 2-3 boxes, but he is waiting, and from what I understand the wholesaler just doesn't have any.

Now that I am on my last box now, got enough for a couple more water changes, I too need to reconsider things... Do you really think this new salt is good? And can Kevin @ red coral get it?

Skimmerking · #3 01-04-2011, 08:42 PM

Why not just use IO and then Dose what you need, if you are dosing now , CAL RX then its not going to be a problem. and very easy to get. I have been using IO since 2002 and never had any problems with it. just my thought thou.

Lampshade · #4 01-04-2011, 08:53 PM

I use IO, add some MgCl/MgSO4, and it's pretty much good to go, my calcium reactor picks up the lower calc pretty quick. I do agree though, Salt is supposed to be a synthetic reef salt, why not have values actually match?

mseepman · #5 01-04-2011, 09:02 PM

Right now, the only place I know of that sells Royal Nature is Oceanic Corals in Aldergrove. I was planning to pick some up when my current Reefer's Best box runs low. They don't list it on their site yet, but their blog talks about having it in stock.

sphelps · #6 01-04-2011, 09:14 PM

The thing to consider is if Royal Nature will become more available than reefers best or will it be the same deal, readily available at first but then harder to find later on. Given that it's also from Europe I can't see the supply being anymore reliable long term.

I would stick it out with reefers best, the wholesaler might have a shortage right now but when it becomes available again just stock up. It's been around for a long time so I don't think the shortage will be permanent. Also keep checking with J&L, I purchased a few boxes from them about a year ago when it was on sale and shipped to my door it cost around $75 a box. You could also inquire about purchasing a pallet from the wholesaler or other larger retailers. Provided you tell them its for personal use and not resale you might be able to work something out.

steve fedyk · #7 01-04-2011, 10:56 PM

I read on reef central that they're some guys making there on salt. With store bought salts and additives, and saving a lot of money.
It was in the dit section,plywood biuld.

cwatkins · #8 01-17-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mseepman

Right now, the only place I know of that sells Royal Nature is Oceanic Corals in Aldergrove. I was planning to pick some up when my current Reefer's Best box runs low. They don't list it on their site yet, but their blog talks about having it in stock.

I just picked one up yesterday for the $60 boxing day price from OC in Aldergrove. From what I have heard and read, it's very similar to H2Ocean. It may even come out of the same salt facility in Israel.

The plastic bag and zip tie inside the bucket are exactly the same as H2Ocean as well.

The bucket will last me 6mos. I'll see how it works out.

He had a dozen or two buckets left if anyone is interested.

mattdean · #9 01-17-2011, 09:19 PM

I have a bucket of H2Ocean that I am mixing with Royal Nature to ease into the switch to Royal Nature salt. the two are nothing alike. H2Ocean is much finer - more like powder. Royal Nature is like salt. Much grainier and course.

So, I doubt they are from the same process. Just MHO.

Myka · #10 01-04-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

Why not just use IO and then Dose what you need, if you are dosing now , CAL RX then its not going to be a problem. and very easy to get. I have been using IO since 2002 and never had any problems with it. just my thought thou.

The only sucky thing about IO is the high alkalinity. Better suited to FOWLRs imo. Who wants an alkalinity spike in their SPS tank on every watechange? That's the main reason I switched away from IO. H2Ocean is easy to find, it's kinda like one step up from IO I figure.