[The R/C Man]

Please let us know why you use that brand and how you like it......

Thanks!


I started with IO and it worked great.... After seeing the new Oceanic with its less expensive price and claims of higher calcium levels I tried..... Preoblems with hair algae and cyno soon followed as well as other issues. I changed back to IO and the tank is once again flurishing.....

[Reefland]

Greg,

I too go with IO however I wonder if Reef Crystals may be better?

[CSeaSee]

I like reef crystals...I used IO for a while and gave RC a shot and haven't had any problems.

[Reefland]

CSeaSee,

Did you notice any improvements from the switch?

[Samper]

IO here....after reading I think the reef crystals is a better salt however mine gives me no problems and I'm scared to make the switch after all this time.

[The R/C Man]

When I talked to Anthony Calfo he mentioned that he used IO but if he could afford it he would go with Tropic Marin.... So I may try that on my little tank to see how it fairs.... If the tank shows improvement I may have to spend the extra cash and use it in the big tank....

I did start a chart compairing the different chemical compositions of individual salts to one another. (elements for a-z) Many people stated that they didn't think the info was pertenent. My thought was: if you add salt and what ever is in it to our enclosed systems you are causing a build up of those elements in the tanks sand bed and they are also being absorbed by the corals etc. Some salts have more of one element than say another brand. If this element is arsenic for example wouldn't it make sense to use a salt that contains less than the other brands.... Of course there is a huge list to compare but in the end it would be worth it.....

I also noticed a difference in the element lists given to me by the manufactures. Some where much more detailed than others suggesting more time spent researching their product.... Hmmmm.....

[Poseidon]

IO here too, from what I read RC is just slightly more Ca and I think it has EDTA in it too... DOn't know why. I tried Crystal Sea Bio Assay, and though I thought I did a "slow" acclimation I noticed bleaching of my Pocilliapora. I gave a piece to my friend who used IO at the time, and it came right back. My piece eventually died, so I have to get some back.... I went back to IO shortly after, have not had any problems since.

[dougc]

I am using Reef Crystals lately.

I started my tank with Oceanic and had chronic problems with brown algae, as others have reported. I also had to dose baked baking soda to keep the pH and alkalinity up.

I switched to Instant Ocean, which got rid of the algae infestation, but was then unable to keep calcium above about 350, even with a calcium reactor and kalk reactor running full-tilt. My alkalinity also went through the roof.

With Reef Crystals, my calcium level is creeping up, although at 380, it is still a bit low. Alk and pH are stable now. I would try Tropic Marin, but it means a trip to Hidden Reef in Philadelphia. At $3 a gallon, gas figures more significantly into the price of salt.

[saltjunkie]

i have been using Oceanic for a bit now, when i do the mixing,,, and i think my LFS uses it in their big tanks that they sell.. which is what i usually buy to do my water changes.. and i have seen no ill effects in my tank...

[Steven Pro]

I use Reef Crystals. I tried Oceanic, didn't like it. I also tried Tropic Marin Pro Reef for a little while. It was ok. The only thing is I seemed to have slightly more diatoms than with Reef Crystals. But, I switched back to Reef Crystals mostly because of local availibility and cost.

[ldrhawke]

I use Reef Crystals. I started out using the two part MARINE ENVIRONMENT from AquaCraft. I got sucked into the comparison reports on how good it was. http://www.aquacraft.net/s9911.html

I never had any problems I attributed to it, but it had limited availability, so I switched to Reef Crystals.

The only problem I have had with RC is that with the extra Ca, it sometimes does not get clear after 24 hours of mixing and before I use. The tank may sometimes appear a little cloudy for 30 minutes after making a water change. It doesn't appear to bothered any of the coral when this happens.

[vtec si]

I have had the best luck with Tropic Marin! It has helped keep me calcium levels up.

Martin

[64Ivy]

I've been with IO since I first got into the hobby in '78 ( ). A few years back, I jumped on the Crystal Seas Bioassay bandwagon and lost several of my favorite pieces. Came crawling back to IO, gave it flowers, and haven't had that kind of problem since.

[CSeaSee]

Reefland,
Yeah, now that I think about it... my mushroom growth really exploded.I'm not sure if it's related, but the mushrooms really started growing quickly after the switch. Good thing it's just a softie tank, or I'd have problems. Wish I had a camera to show you guys!

[WHOSYOURDADDY]

Originally Posted by 64Ivy

I've been with IO since I first got into the hobby in '78 ( ). A few years back, I jumped on the Crystal Seas Bioassay bandwagon and lost several of my favorite pieces. Came crawling back to IO, gave it flowers, and haven't had that kind of problem since.

Thats about the same time I jumped in been happy but this year decided to use RC and I have to say that at this time I prefer RC but would have no problem using IO if needed

[yankeebobo]

I used to use IO - didn't care for it. But have switched to Oceanic - very happy.

[The R/C Man]

Hey Bo!

I had major problems with algae and cyno when I switched from IO to Oceanic. How long have you been using the Oceanic and did you noticed any of the above problems when switchinig over?

[yankeebobo]

Originally Posted by The R/C Man

Hey Bo!

I had major problems with algae and cyno when I switched from IO to Oceanic. How long have you been using the Oceanic and did you noticed any of the above problems when switchinig over?

Actually none - I ended up trusting the LFS on this one. Not a single outbreak. Although I must admit, it was a better class LFS than most. But haven't had any algae problems until about a month ago - and I have since replace my HQI and have noticed that outbreak going away. I was afraid that there may be some hickup during the switch.

The length of time? I've been on oceanic since Dec. No issues.

[saltjunkie]

Originally Posted by The R/C Man

Hey Bo!

I had major problems with algae and cyno when I switched from IO to Oceanic. How long have you been using the Oceanic and did you noticed any of the above problems when switchinig over?

id say i have been about a year myself with oceanic.. and i too would bet that alot of algae problems for others with it coincided with light bulb ages!

[CaveManNOhio]

I use Kent. I like the way it mixes and the consistency of it's mix. IMO