Salt Levels

[Aquattro]

In talking to IO directly, they state the Ca should test out between 350 and 420. I've rarely had it 420, but once in a while over 400. Usually 370ish.

[Wretch]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Just my opinion for what its worth, being that you have a small tank it might work out cheaper to use IORC and supplement the small amounts of Cal & Mag required.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I am going to give H2Ocean a try, if it meets its listed levels it should be all I will need. I am not sure who sells reef crystals in Vancouver.

I will be sure to check fresh made water levels before I add it this time.

[Wretch]

Just a little update. I changed salt to h2ocean and my levels are slowly getting to normal. Just tested a fresh batch of water results as follow:

410 cal
10.2 kh
1230 mg

[schultz]

Have you mixed up your salt, smaller particles and supplements will fall to the bottom. Just a thought!!

[mark]

so simple to supplement your salt mix if need

[Myka]

I would suggest that if you don't want to mess around with dosing yet that you switch to a more reef-suitable salt. H2Ocean is affordable, yet very good right out of the bucket. It's a tad low in magnesium, but it's passable. If you want to stick with the Instant Ocean you can buy a tub of calcium and magnesium and add those to the freshly mixed saltwater before adding it to your tank. I used to do this, and if I recall correctly, I used to add 80 mL dry calcium carbonate and 180 mL dry magnesium chloride to 15 gallons of freshly mixed saltwater to get the numbers to come out correct.

EDIT: I didn't read the second page before posting. Good to hear the H2Ocean is working out for you!