Thinking of switching back to Instant Ocean salt

[Carpentersreef]

When I first got going in reefs a couple of years ago, I bought 2 separate batches of I/O and when I mixed it with my RO/DI water, I got a white precipitate. I bought a batch of Aquarium Systems Reef Crystals, and have had no problems since.
BUT, this recent calurpa success with Miracle Mud has me wondering if the Reef Crystals is missing some mineral. I do know that Aquarium Systems makes both products.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[JeremyR]

I've been having alot of problems with IO lately.. not white precip, but an actual thick brown coating inside the mixing bucket.. the salt doesn't clear even after 2 or 3 days of powerhead movement, dkh can be extremely high (16 or 18), and a soapy froth on the top. I've had numerous customer complaints, and heard similar problems talking to people in various chat rooms. We have quit using IO for the time being in store, and are giving MEI's crystal sea marine mix a go. So far, no precip, clears fast, dkh is average 9, ca upper 400's.. price is better than IO as I can buy it direct, and customer feedback has been good.

 

[Anonymous]

I never used Reef Crystals and have never had a problem with Instant Ocean (but I've only been doing this since February, so take that for what it's worth) and have never used mirale mud.

I did have a problem growing caulerpa though - always died and disintegrated on me. When I started dripping Kalk, the caulerpa took off and is growing like crazy. Actually, I don't even know where it came from this time

 

[ZeroMaintenance]

I use Reef Crystals and had trouble with growing caulerpa too. I checked my Iodine and Iron and both were not detectable. After I got Iron and Iodine back up to normal sea water levels my caulerpa took off. I use Salifert Iodine and SeaChem Iron test kits. I have not tested the Reef Crystals water before it was added to my tank though so I can't say that the levels are off in Reef Crystal. My tank may have used them up quickly. I have to add Iodine every few days to keep it in check. I use Kent Lugol's Solution, Kent Tectra-I , and Kent Super Chelated Iron.