Bad batch of Instant Ocean - Page 2

smokinreefer · #11 09-29-2003, 05:20 AM

yeah a 40% water change is quite large, and usually isnt recommended...
and yeah, it's also recommended to let the salt mix for a bit before adding to the tank, but...

i dont always follow those guidelines, and i'm sure many of you havent either...(i personally havent had any issues from breaking these guidelines)

but from the sounds of it, there was something wrong with that bucket.
especially if JL tested it as well, and their results were the same as you got.

and especially since it was a brand new bucket right?

i would just get in touch with Instant Ocean, write a "nice" email and let them know youre a first time user, after hearing alot of good first hand testemonials, tell them what happenned, express your concerns, tell them all pertinent info, test results from your tests, and JL. and i am sure they will take appropriate measures to compensate and make things right by you.

good luck with this, and keep us updated.

and, sorry for your losses.

EmilyB · #12 09-29-2003, 05:21 AM

A 40% water change is huge especially if it isn't aged imo.

I think you can get by with water changes of less volume, and less time aging.

Megalodon · #13 09-29-2003, 05:21 AM

Well it was more like 40% of the tank, but there was still water left in the sumps, so it was more like maybe 25% water change of the total water. And the water was aged, for at least 24 hours.

Without even adding the water to the tank, the alkalinity was through the roof, so I know it couldn't be any reaction between Red Sea and IO.

smokinreefer · #14 09-29-2003, 05:26 AM

i think we need to look deeper than just getting caught up on this 40% volume thing...

the fact is, the ALK in the new water was way off from what it should be.

mind you, if it were only a 5 gallon change, the bad water probably wouldnt have had such a detrimental effect on the tank. hind sight is 20/20 though. who could have known...i never test ALK of new water before i do a water change. i have enough trouble testing the salinity and temp!

but again, that still doesnt change the fact that the water was bad.

JMHO.

Chad · #15 09-29-2003, 05:29 AM

I use Kent... have never had a single problem.. mix about 24 hrs ahead of time.. thats it..

Chad

zulu_principle · #16 09-29-2003, 05:36 AM

All I use is IO and use a few buckets every month.

Im a little concerned that the test results were the same at J&L as you had at home.

When did you purchase the salt ?

Wendell

smokinreefer · #17 09-29-2003, 05:36 AM

ive used KENT and IO...if i remember correctly, they are quite comparable and may even be manufactured at the same facilities.

ive mixed and heated new water (from a pail full upto 30gallons) for 48hrs, 24hrs, a few hours, 1 hr, and ive also done the mix and dump. never had any type of issues arise from it.

though i would still recommend to mix it overnight if possible.

Jack · #18 09-29-2003, 06:22 AM

How big is this system?

Megalodon · #19 09-29-2003, 06:53 AM

It's a 50 gallon tank with 30 gallons in the sumps.

Yeah, in hindsight I should have tested the alkalinity first before adding to the tank. The temperature and salinity is the only thing I thought to test. I had no idea it was normal for the alk to vary a little from batch to batch. But this is EXTREME.

Should we start mixing up our salt before using it?

Thanks everybody for your help!

smokinreefer · #20 09-29-2003, 06:57 AM

in hindsight yeah, but who the heck tests ALK when doin a water change?!?

yeah, i feel more comfortable after letting the salt mix atleast overnight.