Changing type of Salt mix, Reef Crystal experience

[mling]

I was told that it is not a good idea to change the type of Salt you are using in a Reef tank, eg, change Instant Ocean to another brand. Is this true ? I use IO on all 3 tanks but I am thinking of changing to IO’s Reef Crystals for my reef tank.

Is Reef Crystal as good as advertised ?

 

[Len]

Some people have had bad experiences switching salt brands. Some people think it is due to the salt formulas having adverse reactions when combined, or because animals can't acclimate quickly enough, or that the new salt they switched to is simply bad.

I've been fortunate switching salts (from IO to TM) without problems.

Going from IO to Reef Crystals should be no problem. I believe they are essentially the same formula, except Reef Crystal has more calcium added to it.

 

[Ef3s]

http://www.aquariumsystems.com/salts.htm

From how they explain it the salts are the same exept reef crystals has trace elements/calcium added in for you.

 

[Anonymous]

I recently switched from IO to RC with no problems. I did it gradually, mixing the two salts from smaller to larger percentages of RC over a few months.

 

[Anonymous]

I've heard RC has higher Ca+ so you need to add buffer?

 

[Anonymous]

Buffer for what?

 

[Anonymous]

Because of it's high calcium it lacks in alkalinity? So, people have an issue with low alkalinity?

Just something I've heard from people on our local site. Most who use it add baking soda.

 

[Anonymous]

The levels seemed fine to me, better than IO. I check the tank as a whole and adjust that.

 

[Anonymous]

Does it seem different than IO?

 

[Anonymous]

It has higher ca and mg.

 

[bleedingthought]

Couple of months back, I happened to run into the Drs F&S's prices on salt and since the difference between IO and RC are so close, I'm switching too!