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Post by jasonandsarah on Jul 12, 2014 8:27:10 GMT -5
Does anyone that uses instant ocean salt also keep there aquarium at 35 ppt and know what the levels of cal, alk and mag are for 5 gal?
Just making the switch from reef crystals to instant ocean regular and I'm not familiar with the levels so wanted to know if I need to make adjustments. Hoping someone already knows so I don't have to test everything myself:) lol lazy I know.
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Post by scoobnoob on Jul 12, 2014 8:34:35 GMT -5
I log mine each bucket. I don't have it in front of me but at 1.026 I recall 400-420 ca, 9 alk, and 1200ish MG. I used to supplement 50mls of brs mg per 5 gallon mix but switched to rc for more mag.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jul 12, 2014 9:02:53 GMT -5
I'll have to dose on all with those numbers. I keep my cal 450-460 alk 10+ and mag 1400
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Jul 12, 2014 10:02:07 GMT -5
Why are you thinking of switching salts? Instant ocean is a fine salt. I currently use it on the 220 restraunt tank I take care of which is predominantly soft corals and everything grows like mad. For your tank though, once you factor in the added cost of dosing everything it might be better to stick with instant ocean reef crystals and monitor or adjust you parameters as needed.
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Post by gotareef on Jul 12, 2014 10:37:34 GMT -5
if you have to dose anyway it is going to be any more expensive...
regular io, then add tropic marin bio-calcium still way cheaper. or make your own cook some baking soda for soda ash then use epsom salt....
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Post by BriMc on Jul 12, 2014 11:33:09 GMT -5
I know I am two siding this but I have used IO for 25 years with no problem but my readings are always low. Speaking to Brandon at Unique his comments to IO is that it was originally made for shops and stores with the basics to keep salt water animals alive. Low cost, bare basics, period hence Reef crystals, higher calcium levels plus raised levels on all other additives. Unique now uses I believe Red Sea Salt.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Jul 12, 2014 14:09:44 GMT -5
Yeah I already have 2 part from brs so I have all my additives. I have a doser now so my cal and alk are added automatically off set from each other.
I got a really good deal on this box of instant ocean so I'm going to use it for awhile and see how it works. Mainly just wanted to know if anyone knew the exact levels of cal, alk and mag in IO so I could just add in everything and not have to test.
With reef crystals I never really had to add anything I just mixed it and put it in. Test a few hours later and adjust as needed but it was always very minimal. But IO levels are lower from what I've heard and read.
I'll probably switch back after using this box but like I said I got out cheap so I'm using it. I was told in an e-mail from marineland(owners of Rc&Io) that besides added cal, alk and mag there's almost no difference between the 2 but who knows.
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