I started out my 30g with instant ocean and the lfs guy suggested I get the Kent reef crystals because they were on sale and better. (14.99 50g) I took his word for it but is changing brands ok?

I thought Reef Cyrstals were made by Aquarium Systems the smae people who make Instant Ocean?

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"Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals. Except the weasel." - Homer Simpson

Thats what he told me. He also mentioned the reef crystals were better. I'm wondering if he was just tring to move some stock.

You're right Doh, RC and IO same company. Reefdog, I made the same switch a couple months ago and no problems. I did it for the increased calcium content in RC.

I use it for all my water changes, just don't do large changes and you should be fine.


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E-mail: fishies@ravenstar.com

If it is the Aquarium Systems Reef Crystals then these are the same as IO but have added trace elements and a higher Calcium level, oh yeah and it usualy costs more.

I was considering the same switch myself, to help maintain a high level of Ca.

I don't think you'd have a problem changing, infact i've heard of people mixing different salts together in the same water change for some reason. Maybe they know something we don't?

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"Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals. Except the weasel." - Homer Simpson

I mixed IO with coralife with no problems, i switched because it seemed that coralife mixed in the water more quickly. Joaco had a post a while back regarding contents of the different manufacturers of salts, based on the article, it was an eye opening experience as to the major differences in contents of different brands of sea salts. I have had no problem with coralife to this point. (bad rap against coralife is high lithium content)

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"I would rather be chasing momma around the bed....

I use Reef Crystals too. My only complaint is that it does not mix clear. When you do water changes it takes a few hours to clear out. As for the added benifits I have often wondered, after all the additives you dose anyway, does it make any difference. My favorite, which I think I am going back too since it is salt buying time, is Red Sea Salt. It mixes 100% with no undisolved salt at the bottom and is crystal clear. It also mixes to a ph of 8.4

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Just how much do I need to spend in this hobby!!!!

Here is the link to the article about the salts rededteck mentioned above (it's also on my webpage)

The Composition Of Several Synthetic Seawater Mixes
by Marlin Atkinson and Craig Bingman PhD

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a.../1/default.asp

FYI Lithium is a neurotoxin, present in Coralife at 90 times the concentration of NSW (natural seawater).
The problems I heard about were mostly related to keeping serpent stars with Coralife...

Joaco

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My webpage Updated 3rd July 2000

Yes Reefcrystals is made by the same co that makes IO, the only difference is that reef crystals has a few more additives as well as a higher calcium content than IO, on the other hand, most people say that

• it doesnt dissolve as clear as IO
• it takes longer to dissolve

so its pretty much a matter of chioce, if you dont mind taking a little longer to mix and are NOT doing a FO tank then the reefcrystals would be the way to go, especially if its on sale...[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by FishTechie (edited 07-10-2000).]