changing salts

[ibjmg]

Im going to be changing from oceanic to IO reading fourms,Ive kind of a idea VERY slowly, IM changing do to high ca. anybody give me the best way to do it. also screw up my water.?

[Ninong]

I haven't read of any problems when switching salt brands EXCEPT when switching to Crystal Sea Marinemix from another brand, particularly when switching from Instant Ocean to Crystal Sea. Many people have reported problems with this particular switch but to be completely fair about it, others have made this switch without problems. The ones who experienced problems have definitely made themselves heard.

I don't think you will have any problems switching from Oceanic to Instant Ocean but it would be prudent to make the change gradually, especially in the beginning. Just do a 5% water change using the new salt and then wait several days to see how it goes before proceeding. If everything looks fine, you could increase your next water change to 10% and so forth.

Good luck!

[BubbaWPB]

I found a supplier locally for real sea water that has been filtered and UV'd.... and it seems to be cheaper than salt mix in a bucket....Do you suggest the same gradual change if I switch to natural sea water from IO?

[Ninong]

I found a supplier locally for real sea water that has been filtered and UV'd.... and it seems to be cheaper than salt mix in a bucket....Do you suggest the same gradual change if I switch to natural sea water from IO?

It is ALWAYS better to make changes gradually in a reef aquarium UNLESS you are faced with a real emergency.

Natural seawater is usually an excellent choice. You should test it for salinity, calcium and alkalinity before using it so that you will know what you have. Filtered natural seawater is available FREE in San Diego and it is available for only five cents a gallon in Seattle. I have heard that it is now available in Florida at a reasonable cost.

You may decide to add a little salt mix to the NSW if its salinity is much less than 34 PSU (ppt). The ideal salinity for a reef aquarium is around 35 PSU (ppt). The salinity of the various natural seawater products that are available has been known to fluctuate from batch to batch. Also, you would want to monitor the calcium to make sure that it is at least 380 ppm. If it is much less than that, you should consider boosting it higher. The same goes for alkalinity. Alkalinity in most NSW products is not likely to exceed 2.5 mEq/l. That's fine but most folks would prefer it to be a little higher, like 3.0 mEq/l.

[My2heartboys]

I agree with the slow part. Might also want to test pH, dKA,Ca, and Mg every other day or so so that you can try to keep mineral levels from dropping or rising too quickly.

JMHO

Anne

[apophis924]

made the switch from oceanic back to IO. on more than once and each time the Oceanic caused a LOT of hair algea. what i ddi was do 10 to 15 % water changes every four days until after about a month I was good to go then i went back to 15% weekly water changes and pulling hair algea out by hand before the water changes. Cut back on the feedings and now all is good to go. Seems no matter how many salts i go to I always go back to IO. It has always given be the best of results. All i do is Kalk and once in a blue moon test for Mg, but the weekly water changes seemt o keep my levels okay, People say IO has low Ca++ levels but i mix my sea water to 1.025 sal, and it keeps my ca++ around 375 to 400.

[My2heartboys]

made the switch from oceanic back to IO. on more than once and each time the Oceanic caused a LOT of hair algea. what i ddi was do 10 to 15 % water changes every four days until after about a month I was good to go then i went back to 15% weekly water changes and pulling hair algea out by hand before the water changes. Cut back on the feedings and now all is good to go. Seems no matter how many salts i go to I always go back to IO. It has always given be the best of results. All i do is Kalk and once in a blue moon test for Mg, but the weekly water changes seemt o keep my levels okay, People say IO has low Ca++ levels but i mix my sea water to 1.025 sal, and it keeps my ca++ around 375 to 400.

Interesting because I have had many people say to change away from IO. I mix 1/2 cup per gallon (always checking SG levels and making sure they are at 1.024-1.025) and calcium has never really been a problem, but the mag levels have been a real pain (too low).

What I have been told by these people is that this is typical for IO along with other mineral levels. Guess this is another issue that seems to be split.

Anne

[apophis924]

wel Anne what i do is this I mix my IO three cups per five gallons of water. granted the MG is a bit low at times and since i does with kalk that even lowers the levels more. I just test with a mG kit and if they levels are low I add Epsom salts till my levels are correct, granted Epsom slats tend to rasie sulfates int he reef But since i do weekly water changes and i dont focus on numbers bu8t rather than how the tank "looks" i have had no problems the only numbers o focus on are Temp and Salinity temp i keep between 76-78 and salinity i keep around 1.025 with a refractometer. much more accruate then those plastic swing arm (diasasters waiting to hapen) LOL