please help with salt

[ckmn101]

Hello everyone,
I just started the sw hobby (passion) about 6 weeks ago and I have been full of questions.
Have been using Instant Ocean and I tested a 3 day old batch for Ca and at 1.022 it was only at 300(re-tested a few more batches w/ same result). does anyone have suggestions on a new brand?
I thought about the Reef Crystals........these are easy to get but I would like to hear from experience, not the lfs.
Thanks in advance

 

[Fluff]

Reef Crystals is supposed to be higher in Calcium and other reef trace elements and worth a shot if it's available to you. I have no personal experience with it though. There are several threads on sea salts and pros and cons. I'll try to find them and post it here.

 

[cplawrence]

I have been using Instant Ocean as well and that has been my experience. Since the alkalinity has been around 8dKh, I have been adding calcium chloride to bring the calcium up to the appropriate level.

 

[Fluff]

Well, here are two threads. Ones is more informative than the other but hopefully they will help you decide. Good luck.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=44155&highlight=sea+salt


http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=72942&highlight=sea+salt

 

[DeathWarp]

I've always used Instant Ocean and simply dosed calcium.

 

[ckmn101]

Thanks for the links, I found some other salt studies at http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/11/aafeature1
and I'm not sure but I'll probally stay with the IO
Thanks again,
Mike

 

[Brenden]

I also use IO and dose turbo CA to bring it up.