If you had to pick between Instant Ocean and Oceanic salt

[Scatcat]

mix which one would you pick? Thanks in advance I'm just having a hard time narrowing this down.

Scatcat

 

[pluk1992]

I like to use oceanic.
it seems to disolve quicker

 

[ellisz]

I had good results with IO but I now use Oceanic. I switched when I started buying more SPS/LPS corals. For softies, I think IO is good. I had really good growth in my softies with PC lights and IO. For hard corals, a higher Ca/Alk would be preferred.

I am on my second bucket of Oceanic and I get Ca 430 and Alk of 3.5 meg/L out of the bucket. These numbers work well for me.

Oceanic is a bit more expensive for me though so it is a trade off. Both are good but depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.

I will say that my last bucket I ordered from DrsFoster&smith. No extra shipping charges!

HTH

 

[Hara]

oceanic here

 

[zenn]

IO = Reef Crystals right?

 

[Phyl]

There are two different IOs. IO makes their basic and Reef Crystals. I use the Reef Crystals and am happy with the balance of Ca/Alk/Mg in the mix.

 

[Fluff]

I use IO. It's worked well for me over the years. It helps too that I can get it for half of what I would pay for Oceanic.

 

[Brenden]

I switche to IO from Oceanic. For me Oceanic had good CA levels but the PH was low. IO had low Ca but PH was good. So I was going to be dosing buffer or CA either way. My chioce was based on Fluffs comment.

I can get it for half of what I would pay for Oceanic

 

[NewInTown]

I used to use Oceanic now I use Oc, but as soon as this bucket is gone Im going to switch back. I miss the 420 ppm of calcium. I pay about 8-10 dollars less for a 5 gallon bucket of Oc but I spend 10x that in calcium supp. A fresh batch Of Oc measures around 350ppm of calcium.

 

[Brenden]

I pay about 8-10 dollars less for a 5 gallon bucket of Oc but I spend 10x that in calcium supp.

I can bring 300 gal of fresh IO SW up to 430ppm of CA for around $5.
No right or wrong answer here just wondering what kind of CA that is?

 

[ellisz]

No right or wrong answer here just wondering what kind of CA that is?

I would imagine Bionic or similar. What are you using?

 

[Scatcat]

There are some interesting points here. I like the fact that I'm not the only one weighing out how much it will cost if you have to add supplements to your tank. Now I think I'm going with tropic marin I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here but it's good to see what problems others have had.

 

[Brenden]

No right or wrong answer here just wondering what kind of CA that is?


I would imagine Bionic or similar. What are you using?

Turbo CA