Reef Crystal Salt

[Kyle1970]

Just mixed another batch last night of Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. Warmed water for a day, mj900 in a 5 gal pail, slowly added salt over the course of an hour or so and let it mix 24hrs.
Test today and once again, Calcium reads at 360ppm at 1.024
Anyone else have low calcium with Reef Crystals?
As far as I'm concerned, this will be the last time I use RC as the reason I switched was for the promised calcium levels of over 400.
I should mention as well that I mixed the pail as well lest any of the "small particles" were to settle.

 

[heath]

OMG, I was thinking of switching to the reef crystal's, now I'm not sure

 

[averhoog]

I haven't had a problem with rc

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Whats the calcium like at 1.026? Maybe the promised 400 cal level is when your SG is 1.026?

 

[AdInfinitum]

What calcium test are you using?

 

[jroovers]

Yes, as noted above, could depend on your salinity and your test kits... in addition to your Ca test kit, what are you using to test your salinity, and when was/has it been calibrated?

 

[Kyle1970]

I used a Hanna, cross checked with a Red Sea test and finally with an API test.

 

[Sewerat]

I'm going to guess check their sheets and the 400 ca will be at a specific temp and saline

 

[Shooter000]

Whats the calcium like at 1.026? Maybe the promised 400 cal level is when your SG is 1.026?

When my mix was 77 degrees at 1.026 it came out at 410, when it was at 1.023 it came out 390, I think they float in between a very fine line over there at instant Ocean, but still not as high as they promise

 

[Shooter000]

Plus if you get a big bucket,,contents may settle, so some of your finest particles could be more towards the bottom...ie calcium, so I've been told, but I've never had any problem with the boxs or bucket(the one I've bought)

 

[Kman]

I am personally not a fan of this reef salt and I only use this stuff for emergency use. Only because it is cheep. A good quality salt goes a long way in maintaining stable conditions. I found my tank conditions fluctuate more if I use Ocean Reef Crystals. I would check out Omego reef at the link below. Aquariums by design sells it. Great salt for a good price.


http://www.omegasea.net/products/sea-salt/premium-reef-salt-180-gallon

 

[Kyle1970]

Maybe tomorrow I will need to buy.

 

[Salty Cracker]

I only use reef crystals. I think my tank does okay.

That said, I also dose Calcium, honestly if you need high levels of calcium in your tank you should be dosing.

I should post some pics of my sps colonies (all grown from frags) thriving in reef crystals salt. You think the company would pay me?

 

[EricTMah]

I think people get too wound up over the brand of salt that's the best.

I don't believe there's is one ultimate best saelt to use in a reef tank.

Couple things to consider.
Stability is key. So sticking to one brand of salt, the same routine of good maintenance on the system, regular dosing to maintain ideal conditions are your best bet rather than splitting hairs to find which brand is best.

Ok, there may be differences between brands but do you think just sticking with one brand rather than constantly changing is better? In a thriving reef tank no matter what brand of salt you're using, you're going to have to dose. Unless you're doing such a large water change to replenish depleted nutrients.

I think for all you hobbyist that are chasing that magical brand of salt to be best. Stop it! Find a good quality one that's affordable to you that's also easy for you to get. And STICK WITH IT!

Test your tank more often and adjust your dosing and stop worrying about "is there a better salt out there that will save me some money?"

You're only hurting your own tank by switching and experimenting. Not to mention racking your brain about where to get this next best salt.

Sorry. Had to rant.

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[Salty Cracker]

Agreed. My tank has done so well since I stopped mucking about with it. I keep up on skimming, GFO and water changes and that's about it. I have more a bit more hair algae in the overflows than I used to, but the coral seems to be thriving

 

[EricTMah]

Agreed. My tank has done so well since I stopped mucking about with it. I keep up on skimming, GFO and water changes and that's about it. I have more a bit more hair algae in the overflows than I used to, but the coral seems to be thriving

My point exactly.

Keep up on good practises and your corals will reward you for it.

He'll! I remember running a very beautiful and successful reef tank softies and lps. For years on regular instant ocean. Not even reef crystals. Because that's all I could afford when I was much younger.

People sometimes say that a reef doesn't really start to mature until it's about a year because that's when you see corals really grow. That's partially true. But also you have to consider that after a reef tank being a year old. Most hobbyists would have their routine down. Hence creating a more stable environment for its inhabitants.

Just some thing everyone needs to consider before looking at switching salts.

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[Salty Cracker]

I had bad bad habits when I started...infrequent water changes, tap water, no dosing, over stocking fish, etc etc. I'm not 17 or so years into reefing and still I don't have it all down, but I know to pick a salt and stick to it. I tried a few different brands a couple of years ago, and had non stop problems with dinoflagellates. I don't think it was the brand of salt that did it, but upsetting the tank by removing/introducing things with the switch.

 

[EricTMah]

I've seen too many people contribute problems.with their tanks with products like salt.

But like you said Glen. Upsetting the balance of the tank or switching too many things are 90% of problems

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[averhoog]

Yep the previous owner of tank used rc and I have stuck with it works good got almost every kind if coral in tank and there thriving

 

[Kyle1970]

Lots of talk. Nice!
At this point I will be continuing with the RC at least for one pail.
The fact that I'm dealing with 34 gal and only do about 5gal change a week means that my pail will last quite a while. Long as I know that I need to raise the calcium and the alk for every water change is fine (will be easy once routine).
As far as dosing, I've always thought about it but have watched my levels and with my limited sps I tend to keep pretty level.
constincy! It's what it's all about.