Switch to Reef Crystals?

[todd2000]

I am running out of my current bucket of IO, and was considering switching to RC almost the same price as IO so I fidure why not, right now I have nothing in my tank but fish, LR, and a Pistol shrimp, I just figured if I was buying a bucket why not get RC, I do want to get corals in a few months, and I also figured that some extra Calcium might help the coraline along. I know you should not really switch salt brands, but I assume IO, is the same as RC, just with extra Calcium etc...., so it would be safe to switch right? So what do you think? Switch to RC, or keep IO?

[Maldivan]

If IO worked why Change? Isnt IO/ Kent / RC made at the same place? In know the formulas are different :) But if youve tested your water and the readings are good ... why switch?
Stay with what works for you. BTW : I use Kent !

[todd2000]

I just figured why not I didn't see any harm, and figured it might help a little

[todd2000]

I know IO/RC is made in the same place, they are the same salt, just different Calcium etc... Don't know about kent.

[wetWolger]

kent is also made by io....but they add diffrent amount of ca, mg, etc....i switched to kent because IO had too little ca for me....and RC is supposed to have too little mg, plus it was more expensive than kent. So far I have been quite happy with kent.

[The steven liu]

Reef Crystal just has a slight higher concentration on trace elements and calcium than Instant Ocean, and when I say slight I mean slight. Our local reef club did salt tests of various brands and though due to copyright laws I cannot disclose the exact figures but I can assure you the differences are limited. You may switch salt at any point you wish to just make sure you do it in a steady and gradual pace. IMO you should just stick with IO and if you want higher Ca you can just dose B-ionic to raise it.

[todd2000]

Ok so far I think I'll stick with IO, I was just curious if there would be any benefit in switching, but not looking likely, on a slightly diffenent topic, do I need to dose Calcium if Im gonna start with some Softies Polyps, Mushrooms etc...

[Dubbin1]

I switched form IO to RC and I am now staying with RC. Everything just seems to be growing much better after the switch.

[todd2000]

Dubbin, you've made me re-consider now. Mabye I'll switch to RC, right now I have nothing to grow LOL, but hope to soon, or mabye I'll stick with IO, and switch when I start to get things that would benifit.

[thereefmaster]

I use RC and really like it. But I switched from Oceanic, so, well, of course I would have seen an improvement. I need to stop switching salts, but I would like to use SeaChem's new salt... but I will stick with RC for now.

HTH

Nate

[sinder255248]

I use RC and I have to admit everthing seems to be great, I do know that IO and RC are made by the same company. My SPS are growing great and I don't have to dose as long as I keep up with regular water changes. I'd make the switch, your future livestock will be much happier.

[todd2000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6862794#post6862794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sinder255248
I use RC and I have to admit everthing seems to be great, I do know that IO and RC are made by the same company. My SPS are growing great and I don't have to dose as long as I keep up with regular water changes. I'd make the switch, your future livestock will be much happier.

sinder I think that just convinced me :) It's only a few bucks more and it couldn't hurt anyway, so I think I'll switch did you use IO, before RC?

[todd2000]

Now as far as switching do I have to do anythig special, or just start using RC for my water changes and that it?

[todd2000]

^

[Reefy]

Does anybody know what level of Magneisum RC mixes up at? I get consistant 1100 with IO. I can't believe how much Mag it takes to get that level up to 1300. I'm looking for another salt brand.

[Reefmaniac1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6862794#post6862794 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sinder255248
I use RC and I have to admit everthing seems to be great, I do know that IO and RC are made by the same company. My SPS are growing great and I don't have to dose as long as I keep up with regular water changes. I'd make the switch, your future livestock will be much happier.

IO, RC, Kent & Oceanic are all owned by the same company.

[mace88]

I have been using IO and my Mg has been constant at 1100 and have to supplement. I am trying RC to see if it is higher.

[SaraB]

I tested my Reef Crystals w/RO DI water a couple weeks ago and Mag was @ 1020 with a Salifert test. I did test Calcium as well, but I don't trust the test kit as it was not a Salifert at that time. I'm actually thinking of changing to Tropic Marin as both Mag & CA are higher levels in that salt mixture.

[mace88]

Does anyone know the Mg level in TM?

[Serioussnaps]

I dont see a problem with the switch. I only use RC for one round of 50 gallons, and it didnt dissolve as well as IO, but we all know that the bags vary by how long theyve been siiting around etc...
KENT is garbage. I had problems with its buffering, dissolving etc. I also like Tropic Marin and TM pro reef, but a little bit pricey. Otherwise i dont see why the switch would hurt, except "if aint broke dont fix it>"

[Serioussnaps]

And if you want to get Coralline going without going through a Kalk drip etc.... Go get yourself some C-Balance and within a 8-12 mos. you will purple up like hell.