instant ocean sea salt vs reef crystals

I don't think there is a good reason to run levels outside of that range but we all have our preferences. Keep in mind that you should test the levels of magnesium and calcium in your display tank and in the water that you have mixed with reef crystals. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more, The Best Salt Mix Is The One Closest To Your Ideal Parameters, Aquarium Mix Parameters And Major Elements, 2. Mixing Instant Ocean salt is straightforward and easy to do. Metal Detoxifier - to neutralize traces of heavy metal often present in domestic water supplies. I dont have a hardcore acro tank, but if I did I would be running Tropic Marin or AquaForest. Want to grow your business and reach a wider audience? Typically, a bucket of Instant Ocean Reef Crystals capable of creating 200 gallons of saltwater will run you around $60 , while the same amount of Instant Ocean Sea Salt will be a bit cheaper at around $50 Both products go on sale frequently, which is great for those of us looking to snag a good deal. A have a third lfs , which in addition to Reef Crystals sells Kent. IO unless you have a fair amount of lps and sps building skeletons. Measure specific gravity with an Instant Ocean hydrometer. What type of tank do you have and making sure you dose to what your salt mix is. However, for a Acropora heavy tank, many reefers like to keep their alkalinity lower in order to keep it more stable and closer to natural sea water. SeaChem Marine Salt 500 10 1400. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Measure specific gravity with an Instant Ocean Hydrometer. We earn from qualifying purchases.*. There are a few main differences between the two. With brand names like Instant Ocean and Red Sea dominating online and Fritzs presence at local fish stores, AquaForest is unknown to most hobbyist. Instant Ocean Crystals Budget Friendly, 4. I use IO instead of Reef Crystals. Salinity 35 ppt | Ca 400-450 ppm|Mg 1300-1400 ppm|Alkalinity10 11.5dkh. Always like to learn from other reefers. But here is a direct quote from. The main difference between Instant Ocean Sea Salt and Reef Crystals is that Reef Crystals contain higher levels of magnesium and calcium. Its possible you are introducing some nutrients from your water changes as RO water will still have TDS in the water. The #1 choice of hobbyists, public aquariums, and scientific research facilities, Instant Our Reef Cleaner Packages are Wild Collected they let you naturally control algae, maintain crystal clear water, and keep your sand bed sifted. Copyright 2023, LiveAquaria. It's why our Sea Salt is used exclusively by many of the leading large-scale aquariums and research facilities across the country. This salt has been trusted in some of the worlds largest public aquariums and will serve as an excellent foundation for your tank. Although the Reef crystals can be used right away, we suggest aerating the water until it achieves oxygen/carbon equilibrium. Instant Ocean is engineered to closely match natural seawater, and Reef Crystals are enriched to facilitate the. Contains extra calcium, select trace elements, and vitamins above natural seawater concentrations. D-D The Aquarium Solution has added a second formulation to its popular H2Ocean salt brand. Manage Settings Eco-Complete vs Flourite: Which Is Better? If your aquarium has been up and running for at least 6 months, we recommend Instant Ocean Sea Salt . ssmallville June 19, 2012. Salt Mix Box (55 lbs - Makes 200 Gallons) - Fritz Aquatics, MarcoRocks Shelf Premium Dry Rock (by the lb) - Marco Rock, 1/4" Mur-lok Polyethylene ORANGE RO Tubing (by the Foot), HI782-25 Nitrate High Range Reagents (25 tests) - Hanna Instruments, SaltwaterAquarium.com Tank Parameter Reference Card, HI713-25 Phosphate Low Range Checker Reagent (25 Tests) - Hanna Instruments, Sea Salt Mix Box (Makes 200 Gallons) - Instant Ocean, (Germany) Pro Reef Salt Bucket (200 Gallon) - Tropic Marin, Reef Crystals Salt Mix Bucket (Makes 160 Gallons) - Instant Ocean, Large Bucket Coral Pro Sea Salt Mix (Makes 175 Gallons) - Red Sea, Small Bucket Coral Pro Sea Salt Mix (Makes 55 Gallons) - Red Sea, Fritz PRO RPM Salt Mix Bucket (48 lbs - Makes 180 Gallons) - Fritz Aquatics, Extra Calcium to help ensure the growth of large and small polyp stony corals as well as coralline algae, Extra Trace Elements to provide an additional measure of vital nutrients, Extra Vitamins to ensure vigorous growth and survival of corals, anemones and other invertebrates in a captive environment. Enriched formulation. You can also use it for reef tanks provided you add the additional amount of elements needed to meet a reef tanks requirements. The advantages of this packing are many: You can mix up a batch without ever having to check the salinity. Its actually easier than you think. Please advise. Red Sea Coral Pro 490 7 1300. Instant Ocean Reef Crystals Reef Salt is the budget friendly reef salt for many of us with reef tanks. His site was created to share his knowledge and unique teaching style on a larger scale. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. All rights reserved. There are a few cons here though. Softie and LPS tanks can tolerate more swings so going with a mix with a high alkalinity isnt going to hurt you. But sea water is not just "salty"; it contains a precise mix of trace elements, all of which should be present in an artificial replacement. However, if you are hoping to establish a more complex reef based ecosystem with live rock and corals, they recommend using the Reef Crystals.The main reason for this is that the additional living organisms that come with a full on reef based ecosystem require more nutrients from their salt to grow than fish do. Things that corals use to grow and survive. This is where we start getting into details. This high alkalinity mixture tests between 9.5-13 DKh . 3.1 Red Sea Coral Pro Salt; 3.2 Instant Ocean Reef . What is the difference between Instant Ocean sea salt and Reef Crystals? 99. Change 20% of aquarium water every two weeks to maintain optimum water quality. For example, SPS corals like Acropora are going to need different parameters and trace elements vs. say a softie tank. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "addb0abe3263ece774dda48475cc2787" );document.getElementById("c8f286cabb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Get the latest on sales, new posts, and new videos! ), Salt mix package is measure at 35 PPM you will actually get the volume stated on the box, Low ALK can be a disadvantage for those who dont dose (e.g. Instant Ocean Reef Salt for Aquariums, 160-gal. Instant Ocean Sea Salt is the most carefully formulated and universally preferred sea salt in the world. The specific gravity of 1.025 is a good target for reef tanks, while fish-only systems can be maintained at a slightly lower specific gravity as low as 1.020. The Brightwell NeoMarine Salt is so well regarded, that it is the reef salt of choice for World Wide Corals, one of the major coral sellers in the United States. Having said that I have yet to introduce any corals but am finally at the place where I am ready to. For a tank that large, I imagine you are using some type of water reserve or water changing station to keep saltwater mixed to be at the ready. Hi Cherry. Fortunately I have been taking things nice and slow and enjoying the establishing process of building a nice tank and listening to other reefers . Those can easily be compensated for with very, very cheap chemical additions or you can spend a . Gyre vs Powerhead: Which Should You Put in Your Reef Tank? There are many incredible looking reef tanks that use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals and you will save some money using it over the other brands. #3. No other salt on the market has the history and field results of proven usage then the Instant Ocean brand. I always recommend to my clients that they need to dose their tank to their salt mix. Just curious as I take the next step towards adding some LPS. He has worked on making aquarium and pond keeping approachable. Learn how to properly mix saltwater with various brands of aquarium salt from the experts at That Fish Place - That Pet Place & thatpetplace.com. Ive used many brands over my 30 years in the hobby. What difference does ten bucks make? Red Sea Coral Pro Saltis about as close as you can get from natural sea water from how they formulate their mix. Formulated specially for use in reef aquariums, Reef Crystals contains essential ocean reef elements in concentrations greater than those found in natural sea water. This may not seem like much of a difference, but given that the added benefits of Reef Crystals make practically no difference in a fish only tank, why not save a few bucks? This salt mix is neither the best nor the worst, more of the middle of the road type mix. No more back and forth adding salt, mixing, waiting, testing and adjusting until you get it right. Instant Ocean sea salt is perfect for fish only and FOWLR tanks just the way it is out of the box. There are many things in the saltwater aquarium hobby that are considered to be a staple item and have been around for quite a long time. There are many other trace elements I can discuss, but for most aquarists, these are the big 3 we concern ourselves with and test for in our reef tanks. H2Ocean Dosing Formula is designed for reef aquariums that dont need a salt with elevated levels because they already maintain KH and Calcium via dosing or a Calcium reactor. 2.3 2) Instant Ocean Sea Salt For Marine Aquariums. Instant Ocean Top Choice For Fish Only Tanks, 7. Today it is easier than ever to install a pond right in your own back yard, but building a koi pond is neither fast nor cheap, so you want to make sure you're starting out in the right way. Tropic Marin Pro Reef 450 8.5 1380. Flawed logic IMO. One extra caveat is to test every single batch of salt you buy. It is a trusted brand and thousands of hobbyists use their salt in saltwater tanks. lf too high, add more dechlorinated water. FREE 1-3 day shipping on this item. NEVER mix salt in an aquarium containing animals. I would recommend Brightwall for SPS if you Tropical Marine is too expensive. That reading should be consistent for the rest of the salt batch. You can learn more about their process in the video below: Red seacoral pro salt is one of the more trusted mixes used by frag sellers and SPS stick heads. You can then use these numbers to figure out how much its going to cost you each month to purchase salt for your tank. Discussing the best reef salt mixes is always a passionate discussion among reefers and saltwater aquarists. If you have a bucket, mix it thoroughly prior to use, mix, then test. Contact in dry form may cause skin or eye irritation. Plus, it tends to be a bit more popular, so its often easier to find locally which can save you a few extra bucks in shipping costs. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 1.2 Instant Ocean Salt Review; 1.3 Bright Well Salt Review; 1.4 Aquaforest Reef Salt Review; 2 Marine Salt Buying guide. Red Sea Blue Bucket and TMPR are the best salts. Manufacturer's Mixing Instructions: Remember: That way your parameters dont swing when you change your water. 2.6 Pros & Cons. There are other differences which I explain below. Instant Ocean: 400: 11: 1350: Reef Crystals . Contact us today to start your advertisement! There is very little difference between Reef Crystals and it's sister product Instant Ocean. There are certain elements in both the Instant Ocean sea salt and Reef crystals that are important for all saltwater tanks. The founder of Brightwell is the former owner of Kent Marine and their products are extensively researched and tested over a multi-year period. 5. It is the thing that makes the water in your aquarium salty and helps you replicate natural reef waters. Instant Ocean is a legacy aquarium product found at most local fish stores. This is because it is well documented that Fritz has had quality control issues in the past. So when it comes to choosing the salt for your aquarium, keep it simple: Instant Ocean Sea Salt for fish only environments, and Instant Ocean Reef Crystal for more complex reef based environments. Keep in mind that the temperature of your water matters when measuring your salinity so try to make sure your temperature is close to the ideal temperature using an Aquarium Heater to bring the water inside your home if you need to cool it down. There are a few differences between the Instant Ocean sea salt and Reef crystals. However, the main benefit of Reef Crystals over Instant Ocean are elevated calcium and magnesium concentrations. Check The Facts About Instant Ocean. Brightwell Aquatics NeoMarine Salt providing all major elements, minor and trace elements, and elements known to be in natural seawater. I recommend using a bucket or food-grade container like Brute to mix water and salt together. Spectrum Brands, a Wisconsin-based company with over 5 billion in revenue, owns the subsidiary Instant Ocean, a Blacksburg, VA-based business that specializes in sea salt, protein skimmers, and other aquarium-related accessories. Although the Reef Crystals solution may be used immediately, we suggest aerating the water until it achieves oxygen/carbon dioxide equilibrium. Increased alkalinity has been shown to increase the growth of SPS. How long do you mix it? Instant Ocean recommends 1.020-1.026 at 77 degrees F. I mix my saltwater to achieve 1.025 SG at a temp of 79F. Tropic Marin PRO-REEF Sea Salt has been designed to meet the special requirements of reef aquariums with optimized Enriched formulation. I hardly ever buy salt locally because all the LFSs sell Fritz or Reef Crystals. Recommended specific gravity range: 1.020 to 1.023 at 75F. 11. I currently have a 375 gallon aquarium, mostly soft corals to this point but Im trying to keep more sps and corals. Chain stores do not carry it and you will mostly see higher end local fish stores that specialize in marine livestock carry them. It is affordable, easy to use, and accurate. If you have a fish-only saltwater tank and want to save some money, go with the sea salt mix. Most reefers should choose a standard alkalinity mix and aim for stability to avoid alkalinity highs or lows. Fortunately I have been taking things nice and slow and enjoying the establishing process of building a nice tank and listening to other reefers and learning in the process instead of jumping all in. Instant Ocean salt is available in bags, boxes, and buckets. Aquarium Store Depotis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Coral Pros Alkalinity of 12 dKH makes it ideal for mixed reefs and SPS frag tanks. In New Aquariums: Used by hobbyists, public aquariums, and research facilities. Once you have the RODI water at the correct temperature you will want to put in circulation from an Aquarium Wavemaker or Aquarium Return Pump. The Reef Central Forums are now located at https://forums.reefcentral.comThe old forum is closed to new activity. You could purchase a 50-gallon bag of Instant Ocean sea salt for around $25. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Unfortunately, fish die. New to Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Because water conditions at different locations vary tremendously, a commercial dechlorinator is recommended to completely neutralize any concentrations of chlorine and/or chloramines. Saltwater aquarium hobbyists who plan on keeping corals, especially stony corals, will benefit from the added Magnesium and Calcium seen in Reef Crystals . The main difference between Instant Ocean Sea Salt and Reef Crystals is that Reef Crystals contain higher levels of magnesium and calcium. Excludes Frozen Foods. Just to be clear, "standard sea salt" is a mix like Instant Ocean, not just plain salt right? If you keep clams or SPS, you're going to need to dose regardless. So follow the parameters listed on the mixes and dose to those levels. Enriched Reef Crystals Reef Salt is formulated especially for reef aquariums. Losing a pet is never easy, but losing a fish can really be hard! If you have any thoughts or opinions about these products, feel free to share them in the comments section, and don't forget to check out our marketplace and community forum. Both work great, but I would lean on the regular mix if you have a heavy SPS tank for better Alkalinity stability. This saves some time on your end and reduces any chance of irritating the water during the mixing process. Reef tank equipment and automation is key to maintaining a stable saltwater tank, and a refugium can help keep nutrients in check. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Tightly reseal bag to keep out moisture. Its mostly on here because its so readily available at local fish stores and they regularly go on sale where you can purchase boxes at huge discounts. If specific gravity is too low, add more Reef Crystals salt. Check todays price of Instant Ocean reef crystals on Amazon here. Like I mentioned the tank is going on 2 years and is humming along. You must log in or register to reply here. Both are suitable for all saltwater tanks. This allows for ASD to promote items that are more effective to promote via Amazon versus selling on this site due to shipping costs, the vendor's choice to only carry through Amazon, or order minimums. AquaForest has been quietly making a name for itself in the reef industry. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. There are a few main differences between the two. Im thinking of changing salt types. They offer a basic sea salt variety and reef crystal variety formulated for reef aquariums. Enriched formulation. Below is a video from Raising Reef with better visual introductions and with directions for those of you who like to use water changing stations or store water. They started in Europe in the late 1990s and recently entered into the US Market. . It is also available in different quantities from 10 gallons to 200 gallons which is great for all sizes of tanks. SPS tanks need to have extremely stable levels in the aquarium and having a mix with evaluated ALK can be catastrophic as the Alkalinity levels can spike after a water change. Recommended Specific Gravity Range: 1.020-1.026 at 77F. Brightwell Aquatics Neomarine The Choice For Worldwide Corals, 3. AccuraSea1 is formulated to simulate natural seawater, and its packaged as a plurality of precisely weighed packs. The Reef formulas of salts usually have higher, calcium, magnesium,alkalinity etc. This includes the amount or quantity of elements in the salt. Are you guilty of just using whatever salt you can find, or have you ever really given much thought to the salt you are using and why? Im not familiar with Kents salt, but I do know the former founder created Brightwell Aquatics. We're sorry, oversized items on this page cannot be shipped by air. Those can easily be compensated for with very, very cheap chemical additions or you can spend a bit extra and get a salt that already has those levels elevated. Features Extra Calcium to help ensure the growth of large and small polyp stony corals as well as coralline algae Extra Trace Elements to provide an additional measure of vital . Ive recommended Brightwell Aquatics products in the past like their Neophos and Mircobacter 7. . Yes, fortunately many LFS around us supply Fritz because they have built a massive marketing machine promoting their products. Always use the recommendations from the manufacturer to determine how much salt to use. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy, The Best Salt For Saltwater Aquariums Reef Builder Gear Guide, Reef Evolution is a new salt from Aquarium Systems, Fritz Reef Pro Mix (RPM) High Alkalinity Formula, Seachem Made a Surprisingly Good 'Dual' Air Silencer, Acanthoplesiops jessicae, an Attractive New Species of Spiny Basslet from PNG, New study finds herbivore fish poo is bad for corals, Improving Carbon Dioxide and pH Management, New Coral Reef Discovered in the Galapagos, Gilmorei is the first Polylepion wrasse to be found in the Atlantic. At the end of the day either is great (But I reccomend consitancy) because you are going to need to dose alk, ca, and mag in a thriving reef anyway. 2.2 Pros & Cons. There are even tanks where people do not dose, so a mix with evaluated parameters will make the most sense for those people. If you are hoping to keep a simple saltwater fish tank that will serve only as a sanctuary for fish, than Instant Ocean themselves recommends using their classic Sea Salt. Read more on How to mix salt properly here. This relates most to reef tank owners. They have created the benchmark for the industry and quality control standards.

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