[underseaworld]

Does anyone know of the differance between these two types of salt? I tried to do a search on this topic to see a differance between types of salt that is out there. But got no results.
Thanks.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by underseaworld

Does anyone know of the differance between these two types of salt? I tried to do a search on this topic to see a differance between types of salt that is out there. But got no results.
Thanks.

According to the manufacturer, Reef Crystals contains more calcium than Instant Ocean and a chelator (probably EDTA). According to the manufacturer, Instant Ocean no longer contains EDTA although it did contain it some two decades ago. As I'm sure you are already aware, Instant Ocean is intended for marine fish aquariums and Reef Crystals is intended for reef aquariums, again according to the manufacturer.

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Originally Posted by underseaworld

Does anyone know of the differance between these two types of salt? I tried to do a search on this topic to see a differance between types of salt that is out there. But got no results.
Thanks.

I have used Instant Ocean for about 30 years I just switched to Reef Crystals and I have already noticed a difference with my inverts. If your going to stay with fish only use Instant Ocean if your going to go reef use Reef Crystals

[almostdiva]

I started out with Instant Ocean, and switched to Reef Crystals when I started adding more live rock , inverts, macro algae, etc. You do notice a difference -- I agree w underseaworld.

Rebecca

[Poseidon]

I use Instant Ocean, it's cheaper and I can add the Ca and Alk myself with good ole Mrs. Wages!!!

Ninong already gave you the difference!

[underseaworld]

What is Mrs. Wages????

Originally Posted by Poseidon

I use Instant Ocean, it's cheaper and I can add the Ca and Alk myself with good ole Mrs. Wages!!!

Ninong already gave you the difference!

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by underseaworld

What is Mrs. Wages????

Mrs. Wages is food grade calcium hydroxide (aka pickling lime). It used to sell for about $1.29 to $1.59/lb but for some reason or other, they have recently tripled the price -- at least they have at their online store. It is usually sold in the canning department at Wal-Mart Supercenters. Another brand would be Ball's pickling lime. Either way you have to be sure it's 100% pure calcium hydroxide with no additives or spices of any kind. Or you can purchase calcium hydroxide under it's German hobby name of Kalkwasser and pay much more.

Some people buy the food grade calcium hydroxide in large 50-lb commercial bags that cost practically nothing on a per pound basis.

[underseaworld]

How is this used in the reef tanks? I use B-Ionic now is this a replacement for that? I never heard of this before. Is this a well keept secret????

Originally Posted by Ninong

Mrs. Wages is food grade calcium hydroxide (aka pickling lime). It used to sell for about $1.29 to $1.59/lb but for some reason or other, they have recently tripled the price -- at least they have at their online store. It is usually sold in the canning department at Wal-Mart Supercenters. Another brand would be Ball's pickling lime. Either way you have to be sure it's 100% pure calcium hydroxide with no additives or spices of any kind. Or you can purchase calcium hydroxide under it's German hobby name of Kalkwasser and pay much more.

Some people buy the food grade calcium hydroxide in large 50-lb commercial bags that cost practically nothing on a per pound basis.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by underseaworld

How is this used in the reef tanks? I use B-Ionic now is this a replacement for that? I never heard of this before. Is this a well keept secret????

Read this article by Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley describing the various options for calcium and alkalinity supplementation.

[Poseidon]

Gotta love Dr Holmes-Farley!

I have had excellent results using the lime, and as you can see in the article, it has been CHEAP!

[Reefland]

Are you sure it's Mrs. Wages and Balls and not the other way around?

Dosing this is the same as kalkwasser, do a search for kalk or dripping kalk and you should get some info.

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

I use Instant Ocean, it's cheaper and I can add the Ca and Alk myself with good ole Mrs. Wages!!!

Ninong already gave you the difference!

I got lucky the LFS had made a huge purchase of Reef Crystals from MarineMix I was able to get 150gal (40lbs) for $30.00. Typically Instant Ocean ran my $18.00 for 50 gal. It turned out it ran me .60 per lb for the crystals.

[Penguin]

Just a FYI, I believe Ball no longer makes their pickling lime. Maybe Mrs. Wage's felt they could raise their price so much because they now have a pickling lime monopoly. I for one demand that a pickling lime antitrust investigation be launched post-haste.