[ZIsbell]

Tell me more about this stuff, specifically the ph/akalinity and calcium solutions, and what kind of results you've had with it? What is the reason for having copper, aluminum, titanium, silver, and gold in the mix?

[Samper]

A few of us here have known Russell for a while and use his products. One of our esteemed moderators is a very good friend of his. I sell his 2 part, Iodine dip, Mg and PO4 remover to my customers here. Out of six local systems that I know of using the products I can't say a negative thing about them.

I asked him this question a while back and can't directly quote the conversation but I think I can help.

These trace elements are found naturally in the ingredients used to make the product. Most if not all others on the market also contain these ingredients but for some reason choose not to list them on the package. Part of this may have to do with the fact that they are banking off of ignorance by sellng other unnecessary additives. Russell is very passionate about this business and his policy is to be up front and open with his customers. Obviously the average joe can't test for many of these but there are many successful systems using Oceans Blend. There is no need to worry about it as I have been assured that the trace elements in question are found either at or below NSW levels and yes these trace elements are found in NSW. Periodic Table of the Elements for Seawater(JavaScript)

In addition, Oceans Blend uses very high quality ingredients. I know that many companies use 70-80% CaCl2 but Russell uses 90% in the Ca portion. Just one example off the top of my head that he mentioned.

There was a whole element of the conversation that I am not going to get into because I am unqualified to do so. It had to do with precipitation accumulation and uptake. There are so many variables involved that it is very difficult for me to discuss but someone else might chime in with some thought on that.

The bottom line is that you are not going to have any problem with the product. As with any marine system water changes are a must to prevent harmful accumulations of anything. These could come from your arms constantly in the water or food or any other products you're using.

He and I are working out the details so that I can be the distributor for Arkansas. I always have them around in large quantities if you or anyone else from your reef club wants to try them. Please feel free to contact me since we're in the same city. I'll save you at the very least the shipping costs. I gave Dave some and I believe Jerry and Tim had some at one point. I don't believe they had any problems.

[scubadude]

Russel is more than just someone who makes 2part! He is a harcore reefer and was a founding chairmain of ORCA (orlando reef club) he now sells to many industrial places his products....Like public aquariums, your dollars are well vested in his products. He is NOT one to come boast and talk up his products here online, as he can be very shy and modest in many ways. I used his products in my greenhouse's when I was farming and still use some of his products to this day and consider them 2nd to none. Customer support is even better, he knows his stuff when it comes to biology/chemistry of a reef tank and will talk to you for as long as need be to help someone out.

[kimberfish]

I use oceans blend part 1 & 2 with great success

[zhenya]

Anyone tried magnesium additive from Ocean's Blend?
I hate using Kent's because my tank reacts very poorly to anything from that company for some reason. I've heard that OB is much better product and works faster at raising levels and maintaining them.
Unfortunately my LFS does not carry any of this products and when I told them about it they looked like I was from Mars.
I checked online and most vendors have two part but not the Mg.

[Samper]

I use the Mg and have no complaints Gene. IO mixes up pretty high. The last test I did on it was 1250 ppm without any adjustments. I stay between 1300 and 1350 ppm and don't end up using much at all compared to Ca. If you can't find a bottle and want to try some I'll send some your way.

[zhenya]

Thanks, Chuck. I'll look around some more around my neck of the woods. Someone must carry the stuff.
Reef Crystals that I got last is just plain lousy. I think I'll go somewhere else and try a bucket from them to see if it's better than my bucket. All the levels are low. I retested Alk with my LaMotte kit and it is low as well and I thought all this time that Alkalinity was OK,at least.